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Compare any two UK universities

Select any two universities below and we'll generate an instant, data-driven comparison — rankings, salaries, student satisfaction, international community, and more.

S
SOAS University of London

London · QS World #458

Y
York St John University

York · Guardian UK #105

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 9 datapoints

We looked at 9 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

5/9

SOAS University of London

scored higher in 5 categories

VS

4/9

York St John

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

SOAS University of London leads in 5 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). York St John University is ahead on established, satisfaction, employment, international.

SOAS University of London vs York St John University at a glance

SOAS University of London and York St John University both teach 12 subject areas, the largest being Media & Film Studies, Politics & International Relations and Asian Languages & Studies. SOAS University of London offers 296 courses across 29 subject areas; York St John University offers 199 courses across 49 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,780 a year at SOAS University of London and £14,000 at York St John University: York St John University is about £9,780 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,320 a year at SOAS University of London and £11,800 at York St John University: York St John University is about £13,520 a year cheaper.

Of the 7 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, SOAS University of London is higher in 7 and York St John University in 0. The widest gap is in Economics: £35,000 three years after graduating from SOAS University of London, against £20,000 from York St John University. Of the 9 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, SOAS University of London is higher in 6 and York St John University in 3.

World & National Rankings

Compare world and national league table positions, TEF ratings, and Russell Group membership.

#458
QS World
—
#401
THE World
#1001
#86
Guardian UK
#105
1916
Established
1841
No
Russell Group
No
Silver
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.

SOAS University of London

York St John University

84.1%
86.8%

Satisfaction

Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)

£32,500
£27,000

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

74.4%
84.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

25.7%
37.1%

International

International student share

296
199

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

27
1

Scholarships

Number of scholarships

International Community

Where do international students come from?

Top source countries based on official HESA enrolment data. A higher diversity of nationalities often means a richer campus experience.

SOAS University of London

67 countries · 25.7% international

  • 🇨🇳China10.9%
  • 🇮🇳India10.6%
  • 🇺🇸United States9.4%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan7.6%
  • 🇫🇷France3.6%
VS

York St John

35 countries · 37.1% international

  • 🌐Nepal33.8%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria25.4%
  • 🇮🇳India20.5%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan4.1%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka4%

Subjects

12 subjects you can study at both

Courses listed at each university in the subject, and the typical (median) international fee a year. Select a count to see the courses.

SOAS University of London

York St John University

Fees

What it costs international students

The typical (median) international tuition fee a year across each university's published course fees. Individual courses vary; each course page shows its own fee.

Undergraduate

SOAS University of London
£23,780
York St John University
£14,000

York St John University is about £9,780 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

SOAS University of London
£25,320
York St John University
£11,800

York St John University is about £13,520 a year cheaper.

Outcomes

Graduate outcomes by subject

Median graduate salary three years after graduating, and student satisfaction with teaching, across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject. Source: Discover Uni.

SOAS University of London

York St John University

  • Politics & International Relations

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    90%Satisfaction89%
  • Asian Languages & Studies

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    86%Satisfaction83%
  • Law

    £28,000Salary (3 years)No data
    77%Satisfaction93%
  • Business & Management (General)

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    82%Satisfaction71%
  • Music

    No dataSalary (3 years)£18,500
    87%Satisfaction94%
  • Economics

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    83%Satisfaction71%
  • History

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£19,000
    89%Satisfaction98%
  • Management

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    73%Satisfaction67%
  • Accounting

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    88%Satisfaction76%

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

SOAS University of London

SOAS International Academic Excellence Scholarship

£20,000

Deadline: May 2026

SOAS Sustainable Development Goal Scholarship

£15,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

Commonwealth Shared Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Programme

100%

Deadline: N/A

SOAS Academic Excellence Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: May 2026

View all scholarships →

York St John University

Sanctuary Scholarships

£4,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

SOAS University of London vs York St John University: common questions

Is SOAS University of London or York St John University cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,780 a year at SOAS University of London and £14,000 at York St John University: York St John University is about £9,780 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,320 a year at SOAS University of London and £11,800 at York St John University: York St John University is about £13,520 a year cheaper. These are medians of the international tuition fees each university publishes for its courses; the fee for a specific course is on its course page.

What subjects can you study at both SOAS University of London and York St John University?

Both universities teach 12 subject areas: Media & Film Studies, Politics & International Relations, Asian Languages & Studies, Law, Business & Management (General), Music, Economics, History, Sociology & Criminology, Theology & Religious Studies, Management and Accounting.

Is SOAS University of London or York St John University better for Politics & International Relations?

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £31,000 three years after graduating from SOAS University of London, and £20,000 from York St John University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 90% at SOAS University of London and 89% at York St John University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does SOAS University of London or York St John University offer more courses?

SOAS University of London lists 296 courses on CourseOptions and York St John University lists 199 courses.

What can you study at SOAS University of London but not at York St John University?

SOAS University of London teaches 17 subject areas that York St John University does not, including African & Middle Eastern Studies, Ancient Languages, Anthropology, Creative Arts (General), History of Art & Design, International Development, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Linguistics and 9 more.

What can you study at York St John University but not at SOAS University of London?

York St John University teaches 37 subject areas that SOAS University of London does not, including English Literature, Design & Fashion, Marketing, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Creative Writing, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Psychology (General), Sport & Exercise Sciences and 29 more.

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