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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 the West of Scotland

Paisley · Guardian UK #115

U
University of York

York · QS World #158

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 10 datapoints

We looked at 10 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

4/10

West of Scotland

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

6/10

York

scored higher in 6 categories

Quick Verdict

University of York leads in 6 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of the West of Scotland is ahead on established, satisfaction, employment, international.

University of the West of Scotland vs University of York at a glance

University of the West of Scotland and University of York both teach 37 subject areas, the largest being Chemistry, Business & Management (General) and Mathematics. University of the West of Scotland offers 119 courses across 49 subject areas; University of York offers 532 courses across 82 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £15,500 a year at University of the West of Scotland and £27,500 at University of York: University of the West of Scotland is about £12,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,280 a year at University of the West of Scotland and £27,250 at University of York: University of the West of Scotland is about £10,970 a year cheaper.

Of the 13 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of York is higher in 10 and University of the West of Scotland in 3. The widest gap is in Law: £21,000 three years after graduating from University of the West of Scotland, against £30,500 from University of York. Of the 13 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of the West of Scotland is higher in 11 and University of York in 2.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
#158
#601
THE World
#154
#115
Guardian UK
#20
1897
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 the West of Scotland

University of York

89%
87.1%

Satisfaction

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

£31,134.9
£34,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.8%
80.2%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

30.3%
18.6%

International

International student share

119
532

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
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.

West of Scotland

33 countries · 30.3% international

  • 🇵🇰Pakistan36.2%
  • 🌐Nepal20.4%
  • 🇮🇳India19.3%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria7.4%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh5.3%
VS

York

97 countries · 18.6% international

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

Subjects

37 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 the West of Scotland

University of York

Also taught at both: General Engineering, Human Geography & Environment, Media & Film Studies, Forensic Science, Environmental Sciences, Accounting, Applied Psychology, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Mental Health Nursing, Social Work, Design & Fashion, Marketing, Psychology (General), Social Sciences (General), Adult Nursing, Community & Specialist Nursing, Nursing (General), English Language, Healthcare Science, Mechanical Engineering, Midwifery, Technology & Logistics.

Only at University of the West of Scotland

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 the West of Scotland
£15,500
University of York
£27,500

University of the West of Scotland is about £12,000 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of the West of Scotland
£16,280
University of York
£27,250

University of the West of Scotland is about £10,970 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 the West of Scotland

University of York

  • Chemistry

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    95%Satisfaction92%

  • Physics

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    95%Satisfaction89%

  • Music

    £18,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    90%Satisfaction87%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    80%Satisfaction88%

  • Law

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    No dataSatisfaction89%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    No dataSatisfaction90%

  • Education Studies

    No dataSalary (3 years)£23,500
    96%Satisfaction87%

  • Biology

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    99%Satisfaction86%

  • General Engineering

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    92%Satisfaction84%

  • Forensic Science

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    95%Satisfaction92%

  • Social Work

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    88%Satisfaction83%

  • Adult Nursing

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    87%Satisfaction86%

Showing the 12 largest of 15 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of the West of Scotland

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 the West of Scotland vs University of York: common questions

Is University of the West of Scotland or University of York cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £15,500 a year at University of the West of Scotland and £27,500 at University of York: University of the West of Scotland is about £12,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,280 a year at University of the West of Scotland and £27,250 at University of York: University of the West of Scotland is about £10,970 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 the West of Scotland and University of York?

Both universities teach 37 subject areas: Chemistry, Business & Management (General), Mathematics, Politics & International Relations, Physics, Music, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Law, Sociology & Criminology, Business Studies, Education Studies, Biomedical Sciences and 25 more.

Is University of the West of Scotland or University of York better for Chemistry?

Chemistry graduates earn a median £23,000 three years after graduating from University of the West of Scotland, and £28,500 from University of York. Student satisfaction with teaching is 95% at University of the West of Scotland and 92% at University of York. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does University of the West of Scotland or University of York offer more courses?

University of York lists 532 courses on CourseOptions and University of the West of Scotland lists 119 courses.

What can you study at University of the West of Scotland but not at University of York?

University of the West of Scotland teaches 12 subject areas that University of York does not, including Applied Computing, Business Information Systems, Computing & IT, Aerospace Engineering, Health & Social Care, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Journalism, Public Health & Epidemiology and 4 more.

What can you study at University of York but not at University of the West of Scotland?

University of York teaches 45 subject areas that University of the West of Scotland does not, including Computer Science, Philosophy, Archaeology, English Studies, Social Policy & Public Policy, History, History of Art & Design, Linguistics and 37 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of the West of Scotland119 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of York532 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses