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.
Paisley · Guardian UK #115
York · Guardian UK #105
Head-to-Head Summary
Based on 9 datapoints
We looked at 9 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.
3/9
West of Scotland
scored higher in 3 categories
6/9
York St John
scored higher in 6 categories
Quick Verdict
York St John University leads in 6 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, established, employment, international, courses, scholarship). University of the West of Scotland is ahead on ranking, satisfaction, graduate salary.
University of the West of Scotland vs York St John University at a glance
University of the West of Scotland and York St John University both teach 26 subject areas, the largest being Teacher Training, Politics & International Relations and Business Studies. University of the West of Scotland offers 119 courses across 49 subject areas; York St John University offers 199 courses across 49 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £15,500 a year at University of the West of Scotland and £14,000 at York St John University: York St John University is about £1,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,280 a year at University of the West of Scotland and £11,800 at York St John University: York St John University is about £4,480 a year cheaper.
Of the 14 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of the West of Scotland is higher in 7 and York St John University in 5, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Teacher Training: £32,000 three years after graduating from University of the West of Scotland, against £26,500 from York St John University. Of the 15 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of the West of Scotland is higher in 8 and York St John University in 7.
World & National Rankings
Compare world and national league table positions, TEF ratings, and Russell Group membership.
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
York St John University
Satisfaction
Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)
Graduate Salaries (5y)
Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation
Employment
Graduate employment rate
International
International student share
Course Counts
Number of courses offered
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%
York St John
35 countries · 37.1% international
- 🌐Nepal33.8%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria25.4%
- 🇮🇳India20.5%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan4.1%
- 🌐Sri Lanka4%
Subjects
26 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
York St John University
Teacher Training
Politics & International Relations
2 coursesTypical fee £13,630 (PG)
12 coursesTypical fee £14,000 (UG)
Business Studies
Media & Film Studies
2 coursesTypical fee £18,140 (PG)
11 coursesTypical fee £14,000 (UG)
Design & Fashion
Marketing
Law
Sociology & Criminology
Business & Management (General)
Hospitality, Events & Tourism
Sport & Exercise Sciences
Childhood & Youth Studies
Music
Psychology (General)
Accounting
Also taught at both: Applied Psychology, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Education Studies, English Language, Journalism, Human Geography & Environment, Public Health & Epidemiology, Adult Nursing, Biomedical Sciences, Mental Health Nursing, Midwifery.
Only at University of the West of Scotland
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
- York St John University
- £14,000
York St John University is about £1,500 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- University of the West of Scotland
- £16,280
- York St John University
- £11,800
York St John University is about £4,480 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
York St John University
Teacher Training
£32,000Salary (3 years)£26,50094%Satisfaction93%Business Studies
£21,000Salary (3 years)£22,50075%Satisfaction95%Design & Fashion
£17,500Salary (3 years)£19,00091%Satisfaction68%Sociology & Criminology
£23,000Salary (3 years)£20,500No dataSatisfaction89%Hospitality, Events & Tourism
£19,000Salary (3 years)£22,50093%Satisfaction91%Sport & Exercise Sciences
£21,000Salary (3 years)£21,00091%Satisfaction88%Childhood & Youth Studies
£24,500Salary (3 years)£20,00092%Satisfaction87%Music
£18,500Salary (3 years)£18,50090%Satisfaction94%Accounting
£21,000Salary (3 years)£22,50086%Satisfaction76%Health Sciences & Paramedic Science
£24,500Salary (3 years)£26,50099%Satisfaction90%Education Studies
No dataSalary (3 years)£19,00096%Satisfaction77%English Language
No dataSalary (3 years)£20,00083%Satisfaction95%
Showing the 12 largest of 16 shared subjects with published outcomes.
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveUniversity of the West of Scotland
View all scholarships →FAQ
University of the West of Scotland vs York St John University: common questions
Is University of the West of Scotland or York St John University 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 £14,000 at York St John University: York St John University is about £1,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,280 a year at University of the West of Scotland and £11,800 at York St John University: York St John University is about £4,480 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 York St John University?
Both universities teach 26 subject areas: Teacher Training, Politics & International Relations, Business Studies, Media & Film Studies, Design & Fashion, Marketing, Law, Sociology & Criminology, Business & Management (General), Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Childhood & Youth Studies and 14 more.
Is University of the West of Scotland or York St John University better for Teacher Training?
Teacher Training graduates earn a median £32,000 three years after graduating from University of the West of Scotland, and £26,500 from York St John University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 94% at University of the West of Scotland and 93% at York St John University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does University of the West of Scotland or York St John University offer more courses?
York St John University lists 199 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 York St John University?
University of the West of Scotland teaches 23 subject areas that York St John University does not, including Applied Computing, Business Information Systems, Chemistry, Computing & IT, General Engineering, Physics, Social Sciences (General), Social Work and 15 more.
What can you study at York St John University but not at University of the West of Scotland?
York St John University teaches 23 subject areas that University of the West of Scotland does not, including English Literature, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Creative Writing, Asian Languages & Studies, History, Management, Theology & Religious Studies, Film Production & Cinematography and 15 more.
Ready to explore courses?
Browse available courses, check entry requirements, and find scholarships at each university.