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 St Andrews

St Andrews · QS World #115

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.

8/11

St Andrews

scored higher in 8 categories

VS

3/11

York

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

University of St Andrews leads in 8 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of York is ahead on ranking, Russell Group, employment.

University of St Andrews vs University of York at a glance

University of St Andrews and University of York both teach 43 subject areas, the largest being French, German & Scandinavian Studies and History. University of St Andrews offers 1,157 courses across 64 subject areas; University of York offers 532 courses across 82 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,160 a year at University of St Andrews and £27,500 at University of York: University of York is about £2,660 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £27,200 a year at University of St Andrews and £27,250 at University of York, so the two cost about the same.

Of the 26 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of St Andrews is higher in 22 and University of York in 4. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £51,500 three years after graduating from University of St Andrews, against £40,000 from University of York. Of the 26 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of St Andrews is higher in 22 and University of York in 4.

World & National Rankings

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

#115
QS World
#158
#162
THE World
#154
#3
Guardian UK
#20
1413
Established
1963
No
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.

University of St Andrews

University of York

93.2%
87.1%

Satisfaction

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

£40,000
£34,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

74.1%
80.2%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

46.1%
18.6%

International

International student share

1157
532

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

62
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.

St Andrews

89 countries · 46.1% international

  • 🇺🇸United States42.3%
  • 🇨🇳China9%
  • 🇩🇪Germany4%
  • 🇮🇳India4%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong3.2%
VS

York

97 countries · 18.6% international

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

Subjects

43 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 St Andrews

University of York

Also taught at both: Business & Management (General), Physics, Management, Law, Sociology & Criminology, Spanish & Portuguese, Education Studies, Teacher Training, Physical Geography & Climate, Psychology (General), Biomedical Sciences, Finance & Actuarial Science, Human Geography & Environment, Childhood & Youth Studies, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Ecology & Conservation, Environmental Sciences, Biochemistry, Humanities, Liberal Arts, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Heritage & Conservation, Business Studies, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Creative Writing, Marketing, Microbiology & Cell Biology, English Literature.

Only at University of St Andrews

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 St Andrews
£30,160
University of York
£27,500

University of York is about £2,660 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of St Andrews
£27,200
University of York
£27,250

About the same.

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 St Andrews

University of York

  • French

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    95%Satisfaction91%

  • German & Scandinavian Studies

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    90%Satisfaction89%

  • History

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    97%Satisfaction93%

  • Italian

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    98%Satisfaction93%

  • Ancient Languages

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    100%Satisfaction94%

  • History of Art & Design

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£21,500
    94%Satisfaction84%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    95%Satisfaction91%

  • Economics

    £39,000Salary (3 years)£35,500
    93%Satisfaction75%

  • Mathematics

    £36,500Salary (3 years)£28,500
    94%Satisfaction86%

  • Computer Science

    £51,500Salary (3 years)£40,000
    93%Satisfaction73%

  • English Studies

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    92%Satisfaction89%

  • Chemistry

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    94%Satisfaction92%

Showing the 12 largest of 27 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of St Andrews

Applied Environmental Sciences MSc Awards - Women in Mining (WIM) UK

100%

Deadline: Jun 2026

Environmental Science MSc Awards - The Cunningham Scholarship UK

100%

Deadline: Jun 2026

Masters funding in Digital Health and Care

£10,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

School of Modern Languages Masters Scholarship

100%

Deadline: May 2026

University of Jordan Postgraduate Scholarships

100%

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 St Andrews vs University of York: common questions

Is University of St Andrews or University of York cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,160 a year at University of St Andrews and £27,500 at University of York: University of York is about £2,660 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £27,200 a year at University of St Andrews and £27,250 at University of York, so the two cost about the same. 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 St Andrews and University of York?

Both universities teach 43 subject areas: French, German & Scandinavian Studies, History, Italian, Ancient Languages, History of Art & Design, Politics & International Relations, Economics, Mathematics, Computer Science, English Studies, Chemistry and 31 more.

Is University of St Andrews or University of York better for French?

French graduates earn a median £29,500 three years after graduating from University of St Andrews, and £25,000 from University of York. Student satisfaction with teaching is 95% at University of St Andrews and 91% at University of York. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does University of St Andrews or University of York offer more courses?

University of St Andrews lists 1,157 courses on CourseOptions and University of York lists 532 courses.

What can you study at University of St Andrews but not at University of York?

University of St Andrews teaches 21 subject areas that University of York does not, including African & Middle Eastern Studies, Classical Studies, Theology & Religious Studies, Eastern European Languages, Geography (General), Anthropology, Medicine, Statistics and 13 more.

What can you study at University of York but not at University of St Andrews?

University of York teaches 39 subject areas that University of St Andrews does not, including Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Music, Archaeology, Social Policy & Public Policy, Linguistics, Film Production & Cinematography, Forensic Science, Building & Construction and 31 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

U
University of St Andrews1,157 courses · 62 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of York532 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses