University of York
A 1960s lakeside campus university where every student belongs to one of 11 colleges.
- Students
- 22,345
- 16,015 undergraduates
- International
- 24%
- of students
- Student–faculty
- 14:1
- ratio
- Tuition
- £27,800
- From · 2027-28
- Founded
- 1963
About York
The University of York opened in 1963 with a little over 200 students on a green-field site at Heslington, just south-east of the historic city. It is now a Russell Group university with more than 20,000 students from over 140 countries, about a quarter of them from outside the UK, and 40+ departments, schools and centres organised into three faculties: Arts and Humanities, Sciences, and Social Sciences. Medicine is taught through Hull York Medical School.
York describes itself as a university for public good. It is one of only four UK universities, alongside Oxford, Cambridge and Imperial, rated both Gold in the 2023 Teaching Excellence Framework and top ten for research in THE's ranking of REF 2021. It is especially strong in the arts and humanities (joint 50th in the world in the QS subject rankings 2026) and ranks 39th globally in the QS Sustainability Rankings 2026.
Life is organised around a college system: every student, on or off campus, belongs to one of 11 colleges, which run welcome events, sports leagues and social life. The campus is split between the lakeside Campus West and the newer Campus East. It suits students who want a self-contained campus community close to a small, historic city, and typical offers run from AAB to AAA.
In limine sapientiae
“On the threshold of wisdom” — university motto
Why students choose York
York is one of four UK universities rated both Gold for teaching (TEF 2023) and top ten for research (REF 2021), alongside Oxford, Cambridge and Imperial.
Every student joins one of 11 colleges, which compete in over 20 inter-college sports leagues and run their own events all year.
Contextual offers for eligible UK state-school applicants can be up to two grades lower, for example ABB instead of AAA.
88% of York graduates were in work or further study within 15 months of graduating (HESA Graduate Outcomes 2023/24).
Admissions
2027 entry
Selectivity
York does not publish an overall offer rate. Typical offers for 2027 entry range from AAB (e.g. Economics, Biology) to AAA (e.g. History, Law, Computer Science, Psychology).
Typical entry requirements
| A-levels | Course-specific typical offers for 2027 entry: AAA (Law); AAA including an A in History or Classical Civilisation (History); AAA including Mathematics (Computer Science); AAA including a science (Psychology); AAB including Biology and a second science (Biology); AAB (Economics, with GCSE Maths grade 7 if no A-level Maths). Contextual offers are typically ABB (BBB for Economics). |
|---|---|
| IB Diploma | Course-specific: 36 points (Law); 36 with 6 in HL History (History); 36 with 5 in HL Mathematics (Computer Science); 36 with 6 in an HL science (Psychology); 35 points (Economics, Biology) |
| Medicine (Hull York Medical School) | Three A-levels including Biology and Chemistry, with a minimum prediction of AAB, plus the UCAT (2027 entry) |
| English language | IELTS 6.5 Course pages checked for 2027 entry (History, Law, Economics, Computer Science, Psychology) ask for IELTS Academic 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each component. Other English tests are listed on each course page. |
Deadlines
- UCAS (Medicine) Non-binding Next deadline · In 9 days15 October 2026, 18:00 UK time
MB BS Medicine through Hull York Medical School.
- UCAS equal consideration deadline Non-binding In ~3 months13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
All other courses. York accepts applications until 30 June 2027, but courses may fill.
York confirms 15 October 2026 for Medicine and 13 January 2027 for all other courses. On-time applicants should hear by 12 May 2027.
How to apply
Apply through UCAS (institution code Y50, or H75 for Hull York Medical School) with up to five choices, a personal statement and a teacher reference. Applicants who apply by the main deadline should receive a decision by 12 May 2027; some courses invite applicants to interview.
What admissions looks for
- Predicted or achieved grades that meet the typical offer and any subject requirements, such as Mathematics for Computer Science or a science for Psychology.
- A personal statement explaining why you want to study the course.
- A reference from a teacher or supervisor who knows you academically.
- Your wider context: York considers personal circumstances and uses postcode data for contextual offers.
Tips for applying to York
- 1 Check whether your postcode qualifies for a York contextual offer for 2027 entry: it can mean ABB instead of AAA.
- 2 If you are taking an EPQ, some courses such as Economics may make an alternative offer one A-level grade lower for an A in the EPQ.
- 3 For Computer Science, a fourth A-level can earn an alternative offer of AABB including Mathematics.
- 4 Medicine applications go to Hull York Medical School (code H75), not York itself; take the UCAT before the 15 October deadline.
Costs & financial aid
2027-28 · figures in GBP
UK students may receive the non-repayable York Bursary based on household income, plus targeted bursaries for care leavers, estranged and sanctuary students and a £250 Commuter Award. International students from China, India, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Türkiye and the USA can apply for the Global Impact Undergraduate Scholarship worth £5,000 a year for 2027/28.
- £5,000 for each year of study (2027/28)
- Global Impact Undergraduate Scholarship (international)
- £250 in first year
- Undergraduate Commuter Award (UK)
- 15% to 20% of the full-time fee for that year
- Study abroad or placement year fee
Academics
Academic calendar: Two semesters (2026/27: 21 September to 31 January, and 1 February to 6 June for undergraduates)
History (BA)
Part of York's arts and humanities strength (joint 50th in the world in the QS subject rankings 2026); AAA with an A in History.
Computer Science (BSc/MEng)
AAA including Mathematics, linked to research at the £45m Institute for Safe Autonomy.
Law (LLB)
AAA or 36 IB, with a £28,600 international fee for 2027/28.
Psychology (BSc)
AAA including at least one science (Psychology itself counts), or 36 IB with 6 in an HL science.
Economics (BSc)
AAB, with scholarships worth £3,000 a year for talented students from lower-income families.
Medicine (MB BS)
Taught through Hull York Medical School, with UCAT and a 15 October deadline.
Research
- Joint 10th in THE's ranking of REF 2021, with all York subject areas in the UK top 30 for research.
- The £45m Institute for Safe Autonomy works on safe robotics and autonomous systems.
- York is the national home of the NIHR School for Social Care Research and hosts the Institute of Mental Health Research.
- Through BioYorkshire, the university is working with partners to make North Yorkshire the UK's first carbon-negative region.
Schools & faculties
- Faculty of Arts and Humanities
- Faculty of Sciences
- Faculty of Social Sciences
- Hull York Medical School
88% of York students were in work or further study within 15 months of graduation (HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey 2023/24, UK undergraduate and postgraduate students).
Student life
York's college system shapes student life: each of the 11 colleges (including the postgraduate Wentworth College) has its own events, committees and student mentors, and colleges compete in more than 20 sports leagues every week. Accommodation is on Campus West, around the lake and Central Hall, and Campus East, with catered and self-catered options and bills included in rent. The campus is famous for its waterfowl; Long Boi, a very tall duck who lived there from 2018 to 2023, became an internet sensation.
- 11 colleges: Alcuin, Anne Lister, Constantine, David Kato, Derwent, Goodricke, Halifax, James, Langwith, Vanbrugh and Wentworth (postgraduate).
- More than 20 inter-college sports leagues run every week, open to beginners.
- The York Festival of Ideas earned York Community University of the Year in The Mail University Guide 2026.
- Catered rooms include breakfast and evening meal Monday to Friday in term; Campus East colleges include one evening meal a week.
Housing. New full-time first-year undergraduates (UK or international) who choose York as firm or insurance, apply for accommodation by the summer deadline (31 July in 2026) and are unconditional by results day are guaranteed a single room.
Location
York is a compact walled city in North Yorkshire with a Roman and medieval centre around York Minster. The university sits in Heslington, on the south-eastern edge of the city, with King's Manor in the centre also used for teaching. The university notes York is rated the 5th safest university town or city in England and Wales (CUG 2026), and all major supermarkets are within reach, including two stores on campus.
Nearest airport: Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA)
Notable alumni
- DA Daron AcemogluEconomist and Nobel laureate in economic sciences (2024)
- HH Harriet HarmanLabour politician and long-serving MP
- AC Aníbal Cavaco SilvaFormer President and Prime Minister of Portugal; PhD in economics from York
- AH Anthony HorowitzAuthor of the Alex Rider novels; graduated in English literature and art history in 1973
- GD Greg DykeFormer BBC Director-General and FA chair; BA in politics, later York's chancellor
- HE Harry EnfieldComedian; studied politics, graduating in 1982
- GW Gavin WoodCo-founder of Ethereum
- TS Tom ScottYouTube presenter; linguistics graduate
Frequently asked questions
What grades do you need to get into York?
Typical 2027 offers range from AAB (Economics, Biology) to AAA (History, Law, Computer Science, Psychology), or 35 to 36 IB points. Eligible UK applicants may get a contextual offer up to two grades lower.
How does the college system at York work?
Every student, whether living on or off campus, is a member of one of 11 colleges. Colleges run welcome events, social activities and inter-college sports leagues rather than teaching, which is done by departments.
What is York's application deadline for 2027 entry?
15 October 2026 for Medicine (via Hull York Medical School) and 13 January 2027 for all other courses, through UCAS.
How much does York cost for international students?
For 2027/28, international fees on course pages range from £27,800 (History) to £33,500 (e.g. Computer Science and Psychology), rising each year with CPI up to 10%. Home students pay £10,050.
Does York offer scholarships to international students?
Yes. The Global Impact Undergraduate Scholarship is worth £5,000 per year for 2027/28 and is open to students from China, India, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Türkiye and the USA; some departments offer their own awards.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
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