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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.

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The University of Edinburgh

Edinburgh · QS World #35

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University of York

York · QS World #158

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 10 datapoints

We looked at 10 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

9/10

Edinburgh

scored higher in 9 categories

VS

1/10

York

scored higher in 1 category

Quick Verdict

The University of Edinburgh leads in 9 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, established, employment, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of York is ahead on satisfaction.

The University of Edinburgh vs University of York at a glance

The University of Edinburgh and University of York both teach 77 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Law and Mathematics. The University of Edinburgh offers 936 courses across 116 subject areas; University of York offers 532 courses across 82 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,600 a year at The University of Edinburgh and £27,500 at University of York: University of York is about £2,100 a year cheaper.

Of the 37 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, The University of Edinburgh is higher in 23 and University of York in 11, with 3 about level. The widest gap is in Archaeology: £26,500 three years after graduating from The University of Edinburgh, against £19,500 from University of York. Of the 36 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of York is higher in 21 and The University of Edinburgh in 14, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#35
QS World
#158
#29
THE World
#154
#17
Guardian UK
#20
1583
Established
1963
Yes
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.

The University of Edinburgh

University of York

85.3%
87.1%

Satisfaction

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

£37,600
£34,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83%
80.2%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

41.6%
18.6%

International

International student share

936
532

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

112
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.

Edinburgh

122 countries · 41.6% international

  • 🇨🇳China44.5%
  • 🇺🇸United States9.3%
  • 🇮🇳India5.4%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia2.7%
  • 🇨🇦Canada2.4%
VS

York

97 countries · 18.6% international

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

Subjects

77 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.

The University of Edinburgh

University of York

Also taught at both: Teacher Training, Business Studies, French, Archaeology, Education Studies, Linguistics, Spanish & Portuguese, Economics, Design & Fashion, Ecology & Conservation, Human Geography & Environment, Biomedical Sciences, Italian, Media & Film Studies, Psychology (General), English Literature, Genetics & Genomics, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Management, Physical Geography & Climate, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Environmental Sciences, Ancient Languages, Architecture, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Civil Engineering, Film Production & Cinematography, Finance & Actuarial Science, Biology, General Engineering, Social Sciences (General), Social Work, Biochemistry, Childhood & Youth Studies, Humanities, International Development, Medical Sciences, Building & Construction, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Liberal Arts, Chemical Engineering, Heritage & Conservation, Information Systems & Data Science, Mental Health Nursing, Nursing (General), Safety & Mining Engineering, Accounting, Applied Psychology, Biomedical Engineering, Biotechnology, Clinical & Health Psychology, Creative Writing, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Drama & Theatre, English Language, Marketing, Mechanical Engineering, Adult Nursing, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Community & Specialist Nursing, Healthcare Science, Technology & Logistics.

Only at The University of Edinburgh

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

The University of Edinburgh
£29,600
University of York
£27,500

University of York is about £2,100 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

The University of Edinburgh
No data
University of York
£27,250

We do not have reliable international fee data for The University of Edinburgh yet.

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.

The University of Edinburgh

University of York

  • Computer Science

    £37,000Salary (3 years)£40,000
    74%Satisfaction73%

  • Law

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    86%Satisfaction89%

  • Mathematics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    81%Satisfaction86%

  • Physics

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    85%Satisfaction89%

  • Philosophy

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    88%Satisfaction89%

  • History

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    88%Satisfaction93%

  • German & Scandinavian Studies

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    82%Satisfaction89%

  • Chemistry

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    89%Satisfaction92%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    81%Satisfaction88%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    87%Satisfaction91%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    82%Satisfaction90%

  • Social Policy & Public Policy

    No dataSalary (3 years)£24,000
    92%Satisfaction87%

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

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

The University of Edinburgh

Asylum Seeker Scholarship

£21,000

Deadline: N/A

Education Beyond Borders postgraduate scholarship

£20,780

Deadline: N/A

Cameron Law Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Online Learning Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Rosedale OSSD University of Edinburgh Scholarship

£10,000

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

The University of Edinburgh vs University of York: common questions

Is The University of Edinburgh or University of York cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,600 a year at The University of Edinburgh and £27,500 at University of York: University of York is about £2,100 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 The University of Edinburgh and University of York?

Both universities teach 77 subject areas: Computer Science, Law, Mathematics, Physics, Philosophy, History, German & Scandinavian Studies, Chemistry, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Politics & International Relations, Sociology & Criminology, Business & Management (General) and 65 more.

Is The University of Edinburgh or University of York better for Computer Science?

Computer Science graduates earn a median £37,000 three years after graduating from The University of Edinburgh, and £40,000 from University of York. Student satisfaction with teaching is 74% at The University of Edinburgh and 73% at University of York. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does The University of Edinburgh or University of York offer more courses?

The University of Edinburgh lists 936 courses on CourseOptions and University of York lists 532 courses.

What can you study at The University of Edinburgh but not at University of York?

The University of Edinburgh teaches 39 subject areas that University of York does not, including Theology & Religious Studies, Medicine, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Classical Studies, Biological Sciences (General), Veterinary Medicine, Asian Languages & Studies, Eastern European Languages and 31 more.

What can you study at University of York but not at The University of Edinburgh?

University of York teaches 5 subject areas that The University of Edinburgh does not, including English Studies, Forensic Science, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Children's Nursing and Midwifery.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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The University of Edinburgh936 courses · 112 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of York532 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses