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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
Swansea University

Swansea · QS World #322

U
University of York

York · QS World #158

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 11 datapoints

We looked at 11 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

3/11

Swansea

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

8/11

York

scored higher in 8 categories

Quick Verdict

University of York leads in 8 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary). Swansea University is ahead on established, courses, scholarship.

Swansea University vs University of York at a glance

Swansea University and University of York both teach 65 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Business & Management (General) and Law. Swansea University offers 916 courses across 97 subject areas; University of York offers 532 courses across 82 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,550 a year at Swansea University and £27,500 at University of York: Swansea University is about £5,950 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,950 a year at Swansea University and £27,250 at University of York: Swansea University is about £4,300 a year cheaper.

Of the 36 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of York is higher in 31 and Swansea University in 4, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Law: £21,000 three years after graduating from Swansea University, against £30,500 from University of York. Of the 36 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Swansea University is higher in 18 and University of York in 16, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#322
QS World
#158
#301
THE World
#154
#32
Guardian UK
#20
1920
Established
1963
No
Russell Group
Yes
—
TEF Rating
Gold

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Swansea University

University of York

86.1%
87.1%

Satisfaction

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

£31,800
£34,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

78.5%
80.2%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

14.1%
18.6%

International

International student share

916
532

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

5
3

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.

Swansea

73 countries · 14.1% international

  • 🇮🇳India25.4%
  • 🇨🇳China12.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria8.2%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia4.5%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong3.9%
VS

York

97 countries · 18.6% international

  • 🇨🇳China44.1%
  • 🇮🇳India7.2%
  • 🇺🇸United States5.7%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.3%
  • 🌐Korea (South)2.2%

Subjects

65 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.

Swansea University

University of York

Also taught at both: Biomedical Sciences, Archaeology, Media & Film Studies, Teacher Training, English Studies, Social Policy & Public Policy, Business Studies, Biology, Civil Engineering, Genetics & Genomics, General Engineering, Human Geography & Environment, Childhood & Youth Studies, Psychology (General), Biochemistry, Medical Sciences, Physical Geography & Climate, Chemical Engineering, Linguistics, English Literature, Environmental Sciences, Mechanical Engineering, Accounting, Biomedical Engineering, Ecology & Conservation, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Humanities, Management, Building & Construction, English Language, Marketing, Mental Health Nursing, Social Work, Nursing (General), Adult Nursing, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biotechnology, Creative Writing, Healthcare Science, Heritage & Conservation, Midwifery, Community & Specialist Nursing, Design & Fashion, Children's Nursing, International Development, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Social Sciences (General), Applied Psychology, Clinical & Health Psychology, Information Systems & Data Science.

Only at Swansea University

Only at University of York

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

Swansea University
£21,550
University of York
£27,500

Swansea University is about £5,950 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Swansea University
£22,950
University of York
£27,250

Swansea University is about £4,300 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.

Swansea University

University of York

  • Computer Science

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£40,000
    84%Satisfaction73%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    No dataSatisfaction80%

  • Law

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    82%Satisfaction89%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    90%Satisfaction91%

  • Mathematics

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    86%Satisfaction86%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    87%Satisfaction90%

  • Physics

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    91%Satisfaction89%

  • History

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    90%Satisfaction93%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    69%Satisfaction88%

  • Economics

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£35,500
    90%Satisfaction75%

  • Chemistry

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    99%Satisfaction92%

  • Philosophy

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    90%Satisfaction89%

Showing the 12 largest of 38 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Swansea University

History and Heritage Studies: AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership Studentship (Fully Funded) in History with Museum Wales (RS950)

100%

Deadline: N/A

History: AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership Studentship (Fully Funded) in History with The National Archives (RS948)

100%

Deadline: N/A

History: AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership Studentship in History with Museum Wales (RS949)

See details

Deadline: N/A

PhD Studentship in Sustainable Fusion Steels: Whole Lifecycle Design of Tokamak Vacuum Vessel Steels (RS964)

See details

Deadline: N/A

Swansea University International Postgraduate Research Excellence Scholarships 2025/26

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

University of York

Care Leavers and Estranged Students Bursary

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

York Bursary

£1,000

Deadline: N/A

York Futures Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Swansea University vs University of York: common questions

Is Swansea University or University of York cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,550 a year at Swansea University and £27,500 at University of York: Swansea University is about £5,950 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,950 a year at Swansea University and £27,250 at University of York: Swansea University is about £4,300 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 Swansea University and University of York?

Both universities teach 65 subject areas: Computer Science, Business & Management (General), Law, Politics & International Relations, Mathematics, Sociology & Criminology, Physics, History, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Economics, Chemistry, Philosophy and 53 more.

Is Swansea University or University of York better for Computer Science?

Computer Science graduates earn a median £31,500 three years after graduating from Swansea University, and £40,000 from University of York. Student satisfaction with teaching is 84% at Swansea University and 73% at University of York. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Swansea University or University of York offer more courses?

Swansea University lists 916 courses on CourseOptions and University of York lists 532 courses.

What can you study at Swansea University but not at University of York?

Swansea University teaches 32 subject areas that University of York does not, including American & Comparative Studies, Classical Studies, Aerospace Engineering, Health & Social Care, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Materials Engineering, Pharmacology, Welsh Studies and 24 more.

What can you study at University of York but not at Swansea University?

University of York teaches 17 subject areas that Swansea University does not, including Music, History of Art & Design, Film Production & Cinematography, Forensic Science, French, German & Scandinavian Studies, Liberal Arts, Ancient Languages and 9 more.

Ready to explore courses?

Browse available courses, check entry requirements, and find scholarships at each university.

S
Swansea University916 courses · 5 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of York532 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses