The University of York is a public research university on a 500-acre campus at Heslington, just outside the city of York in northern England. It has more than 20,000 students from over 140 countries, 24% of them from outside the UK.[1] It is joint 158th in the QS World University Rankings 2027, up 11 places and 24th among the 93 ranked UK institutions.[2]
For courses starting in 2027/28 the published international fee is £27,800 a year for English Literature, £28,600 for Law and Economics and £33,500 for Computer Science; the MSc Data Science costs £33,900.[3][4][5][6] Undergraduate entry is through UCAS, and the Computer Science and Data Science pages ask for IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each component.[5][6]
Key facts
| Official name | University of York |
| Location | York, England (Heslington, York YO10 5DD)[7] |
| Type | Collegiate public research university; member of the Russell Group[8] |
| Founded | 1963; the university opened with 230 students[1] |
| Students | More than 20,000 students; over 140 countries; 24% from outside the UK[1] |
| Staff | More than 5,000[1] |
| Faculties and departments | Three faculties and over 40 schools, departments and centres[1] |
| Courses | More than 600 undergraduate and postgraduate courses[1] |
| Colleges | Eleven colleges; every student joins one[1] |
| Campuses | Campus West and Campus East in York; a campus in Mumbai, India; a Europe Campus in Greece[1] |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | Joint 158th (up 11 places); 24th of 93 ranked UK institutions[2] |
| Complete University Guide 2027 | 20th in the UK[1] |
| International tuition, undergraduate (2027/28) | £27,800 (English Literature) to £33,500 (Computer Science) per year in the examples read[3] |
| International tuition, MSc Data Science (Sept 2027) | £33,900 full-time, one year[6] |
| Official website | york.ac.uk |
Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 9 November 2026.
About the University of York
The University of York opened in 1963 with 230 students.[1] Wikipedia describes it as one of the “plate glass” universities set up in the 1960s, with a collegiate system; its first two colleges, Derwent and Langwith, were founded in 1965.[8] Today the university says all students become members of one of its eleven colleges.[1]
The main campus covers about 500 acres at Heslington and has two parts, Campus West and Campus East, a short walk apart. The university also has a campus in Mumbai, India and a Europe Campus in Greece, based in Thessaloniki and Athens.[1]
How is the University of York ranked?
In the QS World University Rankings 2027, published on 18 June 2026, York rose 11 places to joint 158th globally. It is 24th in the UK among 93 ranked institutions, one place up on the year before.[2]
The university lists further results: 20th in the Complete University Guide 2027, joint 10th in the Times Higher Education ranking of REF 2021 (the national research assessment), a Gold rating in the 2023 Teaching Excellence Framework, and 15th in the UK and 39th globally in the QS Sustainability Rankings 2026.[1] Rankings differ by publisher and year, so treat one position as one view. How we compile rankings.
What can you study at the University of York?
York groups more than 40 schools, departments and centres into three faculties and offers more than 600 undergraduate and postgraduate courses.[1] Undergraduate examples with published 2027/28 fees include Computer Science, English Literature, Law and Economics. Postgraduate taught examples include the MSc Data Science.[5][3][4][9][6]
Several courses offer an extra year in industry or a year abroad, and the fee for that year is reduced: 15% of the full-time fee for a study-abroad year and 20% for a year in industry or placement in the UK or abroad.[10]
How much does the University of York cost for international students?
The figures below are the fees York published on its course pages for students starting in 2027/28 (the MSc for September 2027). They are in pounds sterling (GBP) per year. York labels the higher rate “International and EU”.
| Course | UK (home) fee | International and EU fee |
|---|---|---|
| BA English Literature | £10,050 | £27,800 |
| LLB Law | £10,050 | £28,600 |
| BSc Economics | £10,050 | £28,600 |
| BSc Computer Science | £10,050 | £33,500 |
| MSc Data Science (1 year) | £14,390 | £33,900 |
Annual increases
If you are an international student on a course longer than one year, the tuition fee in later years is subject to annual increases. The fee in your offer letter is normally for one year of study.[10]
Tuition is only part of the cost. The university publishes a living-costs guide, and you will find a general overview in our United Kingdom guide.
How do you apply to the University of York?
- Undergraduate: apply online through UCAS, which lets you apply to up to five courses.[11]
- Postgraduate taught: York has its own postgraduate application route and an admissions team for questions; the university recommends applying early and says international applicants should leave time for accommodation and visa arrangements.[12]
- Pathways: the International Pathway College offers a Foundation Certificate route to bachelor’s degrees for students who do not yet meet direct entry.[10]
We give no deadlines here because they change every year and differ by course. Check the course page and the university’s application pages.
Which English level do you need?
The level depends on the course. The Computer Science BSc and the MSc Data Science both ask for IELTS (Academic) 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in each component.[5][6] York accepts IELTS (Academic and Online), the IELTS One Skill Retake and other tests, and lists equivalencies for each course’s requirement.[13][14]
If you have taken an accepted test but missed the departmental requirement, you may be eligible for a pre-sessional English course. For an on-campus pre-sessional with a student visa you need a UK government approved Secure English Language Test: IELTS for UKVI (Academic), Trinity ISE or PTE Academic UKVI.[14]
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the international tuition fees at the University of York?
What is the University of York’s QS ranking?
It is joint 158th in the QS World University Rankings 2027, up 11 places, and 24th in the UK.[2]
Is York a Russell Group university?
Yes. The university describes itself as a member of the Russell Group.[1]
What IELTS score do I need for the University of York?
How do I apply as an undergraduate?
Through UCAS. You can choose up to five courses in one application.[11]
More about studying in United Kingdom (UK)
- United Kingdom (UK): best universities
- Cost of Studying Abroad
- International Student Scholarships
- University Ranking Methodology
More university profiles in United Kingdom (UK)
- Durham University
- Imperial College London
- King’s College London
- London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
- Queen Mary University of London
- University College London (UCL)
- University of Birmingham
- University of Bristol
- University of Cambridge
- University of Edinburgh
- University of Exeter
- University of Glasgow
- University of Leeds
- University of Manchester
- University of Nottingham
- University of Oxford
- University of Sheffield
- University of Southampton
- University of Warwick
Sources
[1] University of York: About the University (page without a date; latest news items on it are from November 2026)
[2] University of York: University world rankings (QS 2027) (news item of 18 Jun 2026)
[3] University of York: BA English Literature (page without a date; year of entry 2027/28)
[4] University of York: LLB Law (page without a date; year of entry 2027/28)
[5] University of York: BSc Computer Science (page without a date; year of entry 2027/28)
[6] University of York: MSc Data Science (page without a date; September 2027 entry)
[7] University of York: Contact (page without a date; postal address)
[8] Wikipedia: University of York (history, colleges and plate-glass context)
[9] University of York: BSc Economics (page without a date; year of entry 2027/28)
[10] University of York: International tuition fees (undergraduate) (page without a date)
[11] University of York: Applying as an undergraduate (page without a date)
[12] University of York: Apply to a postgraduate taught course (page without a date)
[13] University of York: Undergraduate English language requirements (page without a date)
[14] University of York: Postgraduate taught English language requirements (page without a date)
Figures may change; check official sources before you decide. How we compile our data · Found an error? Tell us.