University of York

An admissions boom at York means that the university’s spacious Campus East and Campus West have 25 per cent more first-year undergraduates this year than they did last. Greeting them is a leading research-intensive university — up two places to rank 18th in our main academic league table — that offers a softer landing to school-leavers than its big-city counterparts. 

The historic city of York has character, culture and cobblestone streets — as well as masses of pubs and bars – but it is the college system that is a defining feature at York. All undergraduates belong to one of ten for the duration of their studies. First-years live in college, but do not study there, forging a bedrock of community spirit through social activities and intercollege contests — from team sports played by more than 1,500 students each week to pub-style games — that is carried forwards even after moving off-campus into local house-shares. The set-up is a rarity among UK universities, and one that York has refocused its attention on with a review of how the colleges support students. As a result, wellbeing services have shifted from the individual colleges as the primary point of contact into a centralised Student Hub. 

Strong graduate prospects are another strength, and the university has introduced the York for Life digital platform designed to connect students, staff and a global community of more than 170,000 alumni. New opportunities for semester exchanges and joint virtual projects with the university’s new campus in Mumbai’s “Silicon Valley”. 

Need to know

Category

Result

Rank

Entry standards (Ucas points)

142

35

Teaching quality

84.3%

101=

Student experience

82.7%

71=

Research quality

62.8%

9

First and 2:1s

83.8%

25=

Continuation rate

97%

12=

Graduate prospects

76.4%

33

People & Planet

50.3%

78=

How much it costs

UK fees

£10,050

Fees (placement year)

£2,010 (20% of fees)

Fees (overseas year)

£1,508 (15% of fees)

Fees (international)

£26,900-£32,350

Fees (international, medical)

£49,750

Places in accommodation

4,731

Rent per week

£149-£251

Rent for catered accommodation per week

£165-£266

Social inclusion index

Social inclusion ranking

96

State school (non-grammar) admissions

74.3%

Grammar school admissions

7.2%

Independent school admissions

10.2%

Ethnic minority students

17.2%

Black awarding gap

-13.9%

White working-class males

3.5%

First-generation students

27.9%

Low-participation areas

10.2%

Low-participation areas dropout

-1.7%

Mature students

3.8%

Overseas students

19.5%

Disabled students

20.4%

Student satisfaction with teaching quality

Accounting and finance

83.7%

Archaeology and forensic science

84.4%

Biological sciences

85.5%

Business, management and marketing

81.8%

Chemistry

89.4%

Communication and media studies

92.6%

Computer science

79.4%

Criminology

82.3%

Drama, dance and cinematics

82.8%

Economics

83.9%

Education

82.7%

Electrical and electronic engineering

82.1%

English

88%

French

88.9%

General engineering

77%

Geography and environmental science

83.5%

German

90.5%

History

86.2%

History of art, architecture and design

86.6%

Iberian languages

91%

Italian

90.5%

Law

78.8%

Linguistics

84.3%

Mathematics

81.5%

Music

88.9%

Natural sciences

85.2%

Nursing

87.8%

Philosophy

89.6%

Physics and astronomy

83.5%

Politics and international relations

83%

Psychology

83%

Social policy

80.6%

Social work

88.8%

Sociology

82.3%

What is the University of York’s academic reputation? 

The 1963-founded Russell Group member York takes a top ten spot for research quality (9th), after superb results in the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021), when 93 per cent of its work was rated world-leading or internationally excellent. Results were best in language and linguistics; education; philosophy; and sociology. 

York’s ambition to be a university for public good is evident in its research themes and its strength in teaching is recognised with a gold rating overall in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF 2023). Assessors rated York gold for the student experience and silver for student outcomes. 

However, feedback in the National Student Survey (NSS) hints at continued discontentment on campus. In our latest NSS analysis, York remains outside the top 100 (101=) for satisfaction with teaching quality, despite a four-place rise. It does better for evaluations of the wider undergraduate experience, up 16 places, but still outside the top half nationally at 71=. 

The NSS outcomes likely reflect a difficult time for York, which has taken drastic measures to reduce costs. Work on a £35 million student centre was paused for a minimum of three years in 2024 and widespread redundancies have impacted collegiate and academic staffing. A report by the Sunday Times in August 2026 found that York had lost 660 roles, the largest staff reduction at a single higher education institution, and the third highest percentage change in the sector at 12.5 per cent. 

A statement from York said: “Having put in place measures to reduce our costs and increase our income in 2025-6, we’re now in a period of financial surplus. We're well placed now to move forward with new initiatives which are vital to student experience.”

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What are the University of York’s entry requirements — and my chances of getting in?

York requires A*AA to BBB at A-level, inclusive of contextual offers. 

What are the graduate prospects and how will the university help me get career-ready?

York was one of the first British universities to bring business on to campus. York’s Science Park houses more than 130 organisations, ranging from start-ups to global enterprises across the creative, digital media, IT and bioscience sectors. 

Students enter the York Strengths programme from the first year of their degree and learn early on to consider the skills they need. All disciplines offer placement years in industry and host organisations range from the Ministry of Justice to small digital, creative and charity organisations. Our analysis of the Graduate Outcomes survey shows such initiatives are paying off: more than three quarters (76.4 per cent) of graduates were in highly skilled jobs or further study 15 months after leaving — ranking York 33rd.

ALEX HOLLAND

What is the University of York’s campus like?

York is situated in 500 acres of parkland at the main Campus West site and newer Campus East. They feature modern facilities such as the Church Lane Building, surrounded by lakes, wetlands and landscaped gardens. Recent additions include additional flexible workspaces for the School for Business and Society and clinical skills facilities for the Hull York Medical School. The £45 million York Institute for Safe Autonomy opened in 2022 with a “living lab” dedicated to researching the safety, ethics and reliability of robotics and artificial intelligence. A fine-free library helps to ease the financial burden, along with free period products and the occasional free college meal.

York also has a campus in Thessaloniki in Greece.

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What do the students say?

“There have been more societies and opportunities to learn, grow, lead and try new things than I could have ever imagined.”
Kaitlyn Beattie-Zarb, University of York activities officer (2024-26) 

When can I visit?

york.ac.uk

What about student accommodation at the University of York?

With 4,731 bedspaces, York guarantees a room to first-years who meet the application deadline.

How diverse and inclusive is the University of York?

The university was the first Russell Group member to sign the Social Mobility Pledge and out of the 21 of the group’s members in England and Wales it ranks eighth in our social inclusion index, where it is 96th overall.

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What financial assistance is available?

The York bursary of £1,000 per year is paid to students with a household income below £35,000. Care leavers, estranged students and refugees are eligible for further support. A range of scholarships is offered by academic departments. There are £250 travel awards for students who commute.