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.
Belfast · QS World #595
York · Guardian UK #105
Head-to-Head Summary
Based on 7 datapoints
We looked at 7 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.
2/7
Ulster
scored higher in 2 categories
5/7
York St John
scored higher in 5 categories
Quick Verdict
York St John University leads in 5 of 7 categories where both have data (established, satisfaction, international, courses, scholarship). Ulster University is ahead on ranking.
Ulster University vs York St John University at a glance
Ulster University and York St John University both teach 32 subject areas, the largest being Law, Design & Fashion and Media & Film Studies. Ulster University offers 170 courses across 66 subject areas; York St John University offers 199 courses across 49 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,490 a year at Ulster University and £14,000 at York St John University: York St John University is about £3,490 a year cheaper.
Of the 26 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, York St John University is higher in 17 and Ulster University in 9.
World & National Rankings
Compare world and national league table positions, TEF ratings, and Russell Group membership.
Visual Breakdown
Key metrics at a glance
Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.
Ulster University
York St John University
Satisfaction
Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)
Graduate Salaries (5y)
Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation
Employment
Graduate employment rate
International
International student share
Course Counts
Number of courses offered
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.
Ulster
45 countries · 32.5% international
- 🇵🇰Pakistan27.8%
- 🇮🇪Ireland21.4%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria16.1%
- 🇮🇳India12.6%
- 🇧🇩Bangladesh8.6%
York St John
35 countries · 37.1% international
- 🌐Nepal33.8%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria25.4%
- 🇮🇳India20.5%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan4.1%
- 🌐Sri Lanka4%
Subjects
32 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.
Ulster University
York St John University
Law
Design & Fashion
Media & Film Studies
3 coursesTypical fee £17,490 (UG)
11 coursesTypical fee £14,000 (UG)
Politics & International Relations
2 coursesTypical fee £17,490 (UG)
12 coursesTypical fee £14,000 (UG)
Marketing
Sociology & Criminology
English Literature
1 courseTypical fee £17,490 (UG)
11 coursesTypical fee £14,000 (UG)
Sport & Exercise Sciences
Business Studies
Accounting
Computer Science
Hospitality, Events & Tourism
Music
Counselling & Psychotherapy
History
Also taught at both: Film Production & Cinematography, Psychology (General), Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Journalism, Management, Economics, Physical Geography & Climate, Biomedical Sciences, Drama & Theatre, Software Engineering, Fine Art, Information Systems & Data Science, Medical Imaging, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Games Design & Computer Animation, Human Resource Management, Public Health & Epidemiology.
Only at Ulster 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
- Ulster University
- £17,490
- York St John University
- £14,000
York St John University is about £3,490 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Ulster University
- No data
- York St John University
- £11,800
We do not have reliable international fee data for Ulster University 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.
Ulster University
York St John University
Law
No dataSalary (3 years)No data87%Satisfaction93%Design & Fashion
No dataSalary (3 years)£19,00088%Satisfaction68%Media & Film Studies
No dataSalary (3 years)£18,00082%Satisfaction91%Politics & International Relations
No dataSalary (3 years)£20,00084%Satisfaction89%Marketing
No dataSalary (3 years)£22,50085%Satisfaction90%Sociology & Criminology
No dataSalary (3 years)£20,50084%Satisfaction89%Sport & Exercise Sciences
No dataSalary (3 years)£21,00082%Satisfaction88%Business Studies
No dataSalary (3 years)£22,50083%Satisfaction95%Accounting
No dataSalary (3 years)£22,50095%Satisfaction76%Computer Science
No dataSalary (3 years)£26,50079%Satisfaction78%Hospitality, Events & Tourism
No dataSalary (3 years)£22,50096%Satisfaction91%Music
No dataSalary (3 years)£18,50090%Satisfaction94%
Showing the 12 largest of 26 shared subjects with published outcomes.
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveUlster University
View all scholarships →FAQ
Ulster University vs York St John University: common questions
Is Ulster University or York St John University cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,490 a year at Ulster University and £14,000 at York St John University: York St John University is about £3,490 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 Ulster University and York St John University?
Both universities teach 32 subject areas: Law, Design & Fashion, Media & Film Studies, Politics & International Relations, Marketing, Sociology & Criminology, English Literature, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Business Studies, Accounting, Computer Science, Hospitality, Events & Tourism and 20 more.
Does Ulster University or York St John University offer more courses?
York St John University lists 199 courses on CourseOptions and Ulster University lists 170 courses.
What can you study at Ulster University but not at York St John University?
Ulster University teaches 34 subject areas that York St John University does not, including Civil Engineering, Social Work, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Irish Studies, Mechanical Engineering, Building & Construction, English Studies, General Engineering and 26 more.
What can you study at York St John University but not at Ulster University?
York St John University teaches 17 subject areas that Ulster University does not, including Creative Writing, Business & Management (General), Teacher Training, Asian Languages & Studies, Theology & Religious Studies, Childhood & Youth Studies, Education Studies, English Language and 9 more.
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