History, Affiliations and Rankings
Find your place at York and graduate with more than a qualification. A member of the prestigious Russell Group, the University of York is a globally celebrated research-intensive university located in one of England’s most historic cities. The University ranks 169th in the world (QS World University Rankings, 2026) and boasts nine subjects in the world top 100 (QS World Subject Rankings 2025).
Founded in 1963, the University of York has quickly become one of the world's leading universities, carving out a reputation as an academic powerhouse with a clear focus on excellence in teaching, research and innovation.
Infrastructure, Campuses and Courses
Infrastructure At York, students benefit from top-of-the-range facilities, equipment and resources, which boost learning and add opportunities for practical experience and specialist insights. In addition to standard seminar rooms and lecture theatres, specialised teaching spaces include: purpose-built laboratories, a mock courtroom, performance spaces, TV and production studios, a simulated hospital ward, and more. The University’s main library holds more than one million print books, as well as printed and digital journals. It offers a range of study areas from silent study zones to innovative thinking spaces. There's also access to several specialist libraries on campus.
Campus At York, the beautiful parkland campus provides everything students need to make the most of their university experience. As York is a collegiate university, all new students become members of one of the University's 11 colleges. These small, distinct communities become students’ home from home. Colleges provide students with a network of support, friendship, facilities, and a full calendar of events and activities to help them settle in. The campus is packed with places to eat and drink, catering for a diverse range of dietary requirements. There is also access to convenience stores, where students can pick up their groceries and essentials.
Courses The University of York has something for everyone, with over 250 undergraduate courses, nearly 300 postgraduate taught courses, and over 150 postgraduate research courses.
City Students will find their new favourite city in York, a contemporary, student-friendly place, renowned for its rich history and heritage. Ranked the sixth-safest city in England and Wales (Complete University Guide, 2024), York is one of the best places to live and visit in the UK. It has a wealth of activities and welcoming spaces for students to enjoy. York is a buzzing city that’s big enough to feel vibrant and small enough to feel like home.
Students’ Union The University of York Students’ Union is run by students, for students, and acts as a voice for the student community, ensuring important matters and concerns are heard by the University. It also manages an active schedule of events, provides dedicated support and advice, and runs clubs and societies. Students can choose from hundreds of student societies and sports clubs at the University of York, all run by York Students’ Union.
Accomplishments and Alumni
Over the years, York has made a name for itself. It was shortlisted University of the Year twice in The Times Higher Education Awards (2023) and The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024. It was also ranked Community University of the Year by The Mail University Guide 2026 and 10th for research excellence in the Times Higher Education ranking of the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021.
The institution has over 170,000 alumni across more than 180 countries. Some notable names include Jung Chang - writer; Greg Dyke - media executive, football administrator, journalist, and broadcaster; Anthony Horowitz - author and Harriet Harman - politician.
Student Diversity and Visiting Companies
With over 3,000 international students from more than 140 different countries, students join a diverse and inclusive community at York. The University also has multiple international research and teaching collaborations, such as the University of York Mumbai campus, the University of York Europe campus in Greece, and the York — Maastricht Partnership. As a University of Sanctuary, the university provides a safe space for refugees, asylum seekers and others forced to migrate, offering continued support to everyone who joins its diverse and inclusive community. York is also committed to Athena SWAN, promoting gender equality and equal opportunity for all.
Students can access tailored support and advice to build a carefully crafted career journey. Through a well-thought-out curriculum, training programmes, internships, enterprise support and career fairs, the university is there every step of the way. York has an excellent success rate with 92.5% of its international graduates entering work or further study within 15 months of graduating (HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey 2022/23, UK graduates). The university also has strong connections with some of the biggest global recruiters like Aviva, Aldi, Deloitte, IBM and Santander.
