Skip to main content

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 Southampton

Southampton · QS World #111

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

Southampton

scored higher in 9 categories

VS

2/11

York

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Southampton 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 Southampton vs University of York at a glance

University of Southampton and University of York both teach 64 subject areas, the largest being Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Business & Management (General) and Computer Science. University of Southampton offers 545 courses across 91 subject areas; University of York offers 532 courses across 82 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,000 a year at University of Southampton and £27,500 at University of York: University of Southampton is about £1,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,200 a year at University of Southampton and £27,250 at University of York: University of York is about £3,950 a year cheaper.

Of the 35 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Southampton is higher in 29 and University of York in 6. The widest gap is in Finance & Actuarial Science: £39,500 three years after graduating from University of Southampton, against £30,500 from University of York. Of the 36 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Southampton is higher in 20 and University of York in 14, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#111
QS World
#158
#129
THE World
#154
#16
Guardian UK
#20
1862
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 Southampton

University of York

87%
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

82.1%
80.2%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

35.1%
18.6%

International

International student share

545
532

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

52
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.

Southampton

103 countries · 35.1% international

  • 🇨🇳China63.5%
  • 🇮🇳India4.8%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia2.8%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia2.6%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.5%
VS

York

97 countries · 18.6% international

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

Subjects

64 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 Southampton

University of York

Also taught at both: Media & Film Studies, Social Policy & Public Policy, Mechanical Engineering, English Studies, Environmental Sciences, Economics, Education Studies, Ancient Languages, Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Design & Fashion, Management, Biomedical Sciences, English Literature, Biology, Business Studies, Marketing, Physical Geography & Climate, Human Geography & Environment, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Accounting, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Psychology (General), Building & Construction, Biochemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Children's Nursing, Ecology & Conservation, Healthcare Science, Heritage & Conservation, Humanities, Liberal Arts, Adult Nursing, Clinical & Health Psychology, Community & Specialist Nursing, Mental Health Nursing, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Nursing (General), Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Teacher Training, English Language, Information Systems & Data Science, International Development, Applied Psychology, Architecture, Creative Writing, Midwifery, Social Sciences (General), Technology & Logistics.

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 Southampton
£26,000
University of York
£27,500

University of Southampton is about £1,500 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Southampton
£31,200
University of York
£27,250

University of York is about £3,950 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 Southampton

University of York

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £40,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    89%Satisfaction88%
  • Business & Management (General)

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    80%Satisfaction80%
  • Computer Science

    £47,000Salary (3 years)£40,000
    80%Satisfaction73%
  • General Engineering

    £34,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    90%Satisfaction84%
  • Physics

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    87%Satisfaction89%
  • Chemistry

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    91%Satisfaction92%
  • Mathematics

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    81%Satisfaction86%
  • Archaeology

    £18,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    97%Satisfaction84%
  • Philosophy

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    93%Satisfaction89%
  • Politics & International Relations

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    85%Satisfaction91%
  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £39,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    84%Satisfaction74%
  • Sociology & Criminology

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    86%Satisfaction90%

Showing the 12 largest of 36 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Southampton

Horizon Europe fee waiver

100%

Deadline: N/A

Cowrie Foundation Scholarship

£8,000

Deadline: N/A

Xiamen University PhD Scholarships

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sociology Criminology International Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Southampton Ageing & Gerontology Talent Scholarship

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

University of Southampton vs University of York: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,000 a year at University of Southampton and £27,500 at University of York: University of Southampton is about £1,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,200 a year at University of Southampton and £27,250 at University of York: University of York is about £3,950 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 Southampton and University of York?

Both universities teach 64 subject areas: Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Business & Management (General), Computer Science, General Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Archaeology, Philosophy, Politics & International Relations, Finance & Actuarial Science, Sociology & Criminology and 52 more.

Is University of Southampton or University of York better for Electronic & Electrical Engineering?

Electronic & Electrical Engineering graduates earn a median £40,500 three years after graduating from University of Southampton, and £33,000 from University of York. Student satisfaction with teaching is 89% at University of Southampton and 88% at University of York. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Southampton lists 545 courses on CourseOptions and University of York lists 532 courses.

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

University of Southampton teaches 27 subject areas that University of York does not, including Aerospace Engineering, Geology & Earth Sciences, Marine Engineering & Technology, Software Engineering, Health & Social Care, Statistics, Clinical Specialities, Medicine and 19 more.

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

University of York teaches 18 subject areas that University of Southampton does not, including History of Art & Design, Linguistics, Film Production & Cinematography, Forensic Science, Childhood & Youth Studies, French, German & Scandinavian Studies, Astronomy & Astrophysics and 10 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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