The University of York is one of the leading research-intensive universities in the UK and is located in the historic city of York, England. It is a popular choice among domestic and international students because of its strong academic reputation, wide range of courses, research opportunities, and student-friendly campus. If you are a prospective international student, you need to understand different aspects of this university, including its acceptance rate, global rankings, popular courses, tuition fees, scholarships, and accommodation.
In this guide, you will get a comprehensive overview of the University of York to help you evaluate your admission prospects, study costs, and funding opportunities. It will help you make the decision about whether to choose this university or not if you are planning to study in UK.
Acceptance Rate
The overall acceptance rate as per difference sources of the University of York is from 74% to 79%. But it varies from course to course. There are very competitive fields in which the acceptance rate is below 20%. For example, in the subjects allied to medicine, design/performing arts, and law, the acceptance or success rates drop closer to 15%-16%.
Rankings
The University of York has a strong position in global university rankings. In the QS World University Rankings 2027, it ranks #158 globally out of 1,504 institutions. It is also ranked 24th in the UK in the same ranking.
In the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2027, the University of York is ranked joint 168th.
Courses
The University of York offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses for domestic and international students. Its undergraduate course list includes subjects such as Accounting and Finance, Actuarial Science, Archaeology, Architecture, Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Business, Computer Science, Economics, Engineering, English, History, Law, Mathematics, Medicine, Philosophy, Physics, Politics, Psychology, and Sociology.
At the postgraduate level, York offers more than 200 taught Master’s courses across more than 30 subject areas. The university also offers postgraduate research degrees and Master’s by research. Some of the major study areas include:
- Arts & Humanities
- Business & Management
- Computer Science
- Economics
- Engineering
- English & Literature
- History
- Law
- Mathematics
- Medicine & Health
- Psychology
- Politics & International Relations
- Social Sciences
- Biological Sciences
- Chemistry
- Physics
Fees
Fees at the University of York depend on the course and level of study you choose. For international undergraduate students, many 2026/27 courses have annual tuition fees in the range of approximately £26,900 to £27,500, although the exact amount varies by course. For example, International Relations and English have an international fee of £26,900 per year, while Accounting and Finance is £27,500 per year.
At the postgraduate level, fees also depend on the course. For example, the international tuition fee for the MSc Finance in 2026/27 is £34,500 for one year, while the MA International Relations costs £26,900 for international students.
International students should also remember that fees can increase in subsequent years, so you should consider this while preparing your overall study budget.
Scholarships for International Students at the University of York
There are numerous scholarship opportunities available for international students at the University of York, some of which you can read about below.
1. International Undergraduate Achievement Scholarship
The International Undergraduate Achievement Scholarship is designed to support high-achieving international undergraduate students. Under this scholarship, eligible students can receive up to £10,000 as a tuition fee discount for the first year of study.
For 2026/27, all eligible international undergraduate students holding an offer at York were automatically considered, so there was no need to submit a separate scholarship application.
2. Global Impact Masters Scholarship
The Global Impact Masters Scholarship is available to international students starting eligible postgraduate taught courses. For 2026/27, the scholarship provides £5,000 to £8,000 for the first year, depending on the student’s country of nationality or domicile.
Indian students are included in the eligibility list and can receive a scholarship of £6,000 under this scheme. Eligible students holding an offer are considered automatically.
3. Chevening and Other Scholarships
International postgraduate students can also explore external and government-funded scholarships. One important option is the Chevening Scholarship, which provides full tuition fee funding plus a living stipend for eligible students pursuing a one-year Master’s degree in the UK. York also offers co-funded Chevening/York Partnership Awards.
Apart from these, international students can find other country-specific, departmental, research, and external funding opportunities. Since scholarship availability and deadlines can change every year, students should check the latest funding information before applying.
Accommodation for Students
The University of York has an integrated collegiate accommodation system, with accommodation connected to eleven colleges across Campus West and Campus East. These colleges provide students with accommodation as well as social and study communities.
Students can choose from self-catered and catered accommodation, with ensuite and shared-bathroom rooms available. For the 2026/27 academic year, university accommodation prices range from around £149 to £269 per week, depending on the college, room type, and catering arrangement.
Besides, there are several off-campus accommodations and private rental apartments also available. For students going to study at the University of York.