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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 Plymouth

Plymouth · QS World #691

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

Plymouth

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, international, graduate salary, courses). University of Plymouth is ahead on established, employment, scholarship.

University of Plymouth vs University of York at a glance

University of Plymouth and University of York both teach 54 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Computer Science and Mathematics. University of Plymouth offers 310 courses across 78 subject areas; University of York offers 532 courses across 82 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,200 a year at University of Plymouth and £27,500 at University of York: University of Plymouth is about £8,300 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,500 a year at University of Plymouth and £27,250 at University of York: University of Plymouth is about £7,750 a year cheaper.

Of the 29 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of York is higher in 25 and University of Plymouth in 3, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £28,000 three years after graduating from University of Plymouth, against £40,000 from University of York. Of the 28 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Plymouth is higher in 18 and University of York in 9, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#691
QS World
#158
#501
THE World
#154
#56
Guardian UK
#20
1862
Established
1963
No
Russell Group
Yes
Gold
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 Plymouth

University of York

86.6%
87.1%

Satisfaction

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

£30,300
£34,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.2%
80.2%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

11.9%
18.6%

International

International student share

310
532

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

10
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.

Plymouth

71 countries · 11.9% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria14.6%
  • 🇨🇳China12.2%
  • 🇮🇳India11%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.7%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka3.3%
VS

York

97 countries · 18.6% international

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

Subjects

54 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 Plymouth

University of York

Also taught at both: Management, Design & Fashion, Ecology & Conservation, Human Geography & Environment, Film Production & Cinematography, Economics, Environmental Sciences, Adult Nursing, Biology, Business Studies, Civil Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Building & Construction, Childhood & Youth Studies, Media & Film Studies, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Mental Health Nursing, Children's Nursing, General Engineering, Marketing, Mechanical Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Heritage & Conservation, Midwifery, Accounting, Biomedical Engineering, Clinical & Health Psychology, Creative Writing, Drama & Theatre, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Medical Sciences, Nursing (General), Social Work, Architecture, Technology & Logistics, Applied Psychology, Chemical Engineering, Social Sciences (General).

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 Plymouth
£19,200
University of York
£27,500

University of Plymouth is about £8,300 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Plymouth
£19,500
University of York
£27,250

University of Plymouth is about £7,750 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 Plymouth

University of York

  • Business & Management (General)

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    83%Satisfaction80%
  • Computer Science

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£40,000
    72%Satisfaction73%
  • Mathematics

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

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£28,500
    97%Satisfaction92%
  • Politics & International Relations

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    86%Satisfaction91%
  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    91%Satisfaction88%
  • Law

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    84%Satisfaction89%
  • Sociology & Criminology

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    83%Satisfaction90%
  • English Studies

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    94%Satisfaction89%
  • Biomedical Sciences

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    84%Satisfaction82%
  • History

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    94%Satisfaction93%
  • Physical Geography & Climate

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    94%Satisfaction82%

Showing the 12 largest of 30 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Plymouth

GREAT Scholarships

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

International Undergraduate Welcome to Plymouth Scholarship

£6,000

Deadline: N/A

Tamar Engineering Project

£4,500

Deadline: Jun 2026

International Postgraduate Welcome to Plymouth Scholarship

£4,000

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 Plymouth vs University of York: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,200 a year at University of Plymouth and £27,500 at University of York: University of Plymouth is about £8,300 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,500 a year at University of Plymouth and £27,250 at University of York: University of Plymouth is about £7,750 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 Plymouth and University of York?

Both universities teach 54 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Computer Science, Mathematics, Chemistry, Politics & International Relations, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Law, Sociology & Criminology, English Studies, Music, Biomedical Sciences, History and 42 more.

Is University of Plymouth or University of York better for Business & Management (General)?

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £24,000 three years after graduating from University of Plymouth, and £30,500 from University of York. Student satisfaction with teaching is 83% at University of Plymouth and 80% at University of York. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of York lists 532 courses on CourseOptions and University of Plymouth lists 310 courses.

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

University of Plymouth teaches 24 subject areas that University of York does not, including Geology & Earth Sciences, Nutrition & Dietetics, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Dentistry, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Marine Engineering & Technology, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Statistics and 16 more.

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

University of York teaches 28 subject areas that University of Plymouth does not, including Philosophy, Physics, Archaeology, Social Policy & Public Policy, History of Art & Design, Linguistics, Forensic Science, French and 20 more.

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