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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.

U
University of Leeds

Leeds · QS World #77

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.

9/11

Leeds

scored higher in 9 categories

VS

2/11

York

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Leeds leads in 9 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, established, employment, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of York is ahead on TEF, satisfaction.

University of Leeds vs University of York at a glance

University of Leeds and University of York both teach 72 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Physics and Chemistry. University of Leeds offers 579 courses across 110 subject areas; University of York offers 532 courses across 82 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £33,700 a year at University of Leeds and £27,500 at University of York: University of York is about £6,200 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,500 a year at University of Leeds and £27,250 at University of York: University of York is about £4,250 a year cheaper.

Of the 44 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Leeds is higher in 28 and University of York in 14, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Microbiology & Cell Biology: £35,000 three years after graduating from University of Leeds, against £26,500 from University of York. Of the 44 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of York is higher in 23 and University of Leeds in 16, with 5 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#77
QS World
#158
#118
THE World
#154
#15
Guardian UK
#20
1904
Established
1963
Yes
Russell Group
Yes
Silver
TEF Rating
Gold

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

University of Leeds

University of York

85.7%
87.1%

Satisfaction

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

£37,200
£34,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.7%
80.2%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.5%
18.6%

International

International student share

579
532

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

13
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.

Leeds

105 countries · 31.5% international

  • 🇨🇳China49.5%
  • 🇮🇳India9.6%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.9%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.4%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.8%
VS

York

97 countries · 18.6% international

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

Subjects

72 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.

University of Leeds

University of York

Also taught at both: Social Policy & Public Policy, Business Studies, Education Studies, Media & Film Studies, Management, Linguistics, Design & Fashion, History of Art & Design, Human Geography & Environment, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Ancient Languages, Biomedical Sciences, Biology, Drama & Theatre, Finance & Actuarial Science, Physical Geography & Climate, Biomedical Engineering, Childhood & Youth Studies, Ecology & Conservation, Environmental Sciences, Film Production & Cinematography, Marketing, Astronomy & Astrophysics, French, German & Scandinavian Studies, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Chemical Engineering, English Literature, General Engineering, Genetics & Genomics, Humanities, Liberal Arts, Mechanical Engineering, Medical Sciences, Psychology (General), Biochemistry, Information Systems & Data Science, International Development, Italian, Mental Health Nursing, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Biotechnology, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Teacher Training, Adult Nursing, Children's Nursing, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Social Sciences (General), Social Work, Spanish & Portuguese, Applied Psychology, Architecture, Clinical & Health Psychology, Creative Writing, English Language, Healthcare Science, Midwifery.

Only at University of Leeds

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

University of Leeds
£33,700
University of York
£27,500

University of York is about £6,200 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Leeds
£31,500
University of York
£27,250

University of York is about £4,250 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.

University of Leeds

University of York

  • Computer Science

    £42,000Salary (3 years)£40,000
    79%Satisfaction73%

  • Physics

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    89%Satisfaction89%

  • Chemistry

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    85%Satisfaction92%

  • Mathematics

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£28,500
    83%Satisfaction86%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    85%Satisfaction91%

  • Philosophy

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    85%Satisfaction89%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    92%Satisfaction88%

  • Law

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    87%Satisfaction89%

  • Music

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    87%Satisfaction87%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    82%Satisfaction90%

  • History

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    94%Satisfaction93%

  • English Studies

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    89%Satisfaction89%

Showing the 12 largest of 45 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Leeds

Gazan Humanitarian Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Gazan Humanitarian Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Global Community Bursary

£10,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

Sanctuary Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary 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

University of Leeds vs University of York: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £33,700 a year at University of Leeds and £27,500 at University of York: University of York is about £6,200 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,500 a year at University of Leeds and £27,250 at University of York: University of York is about £4,250 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 University of Leeds and University of York?

Both universities teach 72 subject areas: Computer Science, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Politics & International Relations, Civil Engineering, Philosophy, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Law, Music, Business & Management (General), Sociology & Criminology and 60 more.

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

Computer Science graduates earn a median £42,000 three years after graduating from University of Leeds, and £40,000 from University of York. Student satisfaction with teaching is 79% at University of Leeds and 73% at University of York. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does University of Leeds or University of York offer more courses?

University of Leeds lists 579 courses on CourseOptions and University of York lists 532 courses.

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

University of Leeds teaches 38 subject areas that University of York does not, including Personal & Professional Development, Asian Languages & Studies, Geology & Earth Sciences, Medical Imaging, Theology & Religious Studies, Natural Sciences, Nutrition & Dietetics, Zoology & Animal Biology and 30 more.

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

University of York teaches 10 subject areas that University of Leeds does not, including Archaeology, Forensic Science, Building & Construction, Heritage & Conservation, Safety & Mining Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Accounting, Nursing (General) and 2 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of Leeds579 courses · 13 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of York532 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses