York or Durham: Which University City Is Right for You
York and Durham are two of the UK's most distinctive university cities, with two highly regarded Russell Group universities: the University of York and Durham University. Both are based in historic, walkable cities with lots of charm, so it can be tricky for students to decide between them.
While specific course rankings and department reputations inevitably play a part, StudentCrowd's data, sourced from real students in both cities, can provide another perspective. There are some important similarities and differences that contribute to the student experience:
- University rankings: Neither uni has a clear advantage, as Durham ranks higher in QS, while York performs better in the Times Higher Education rankings.
- Student experience: York offers a compact, accessible university experience, while Durham's 17-college system plays a much bigger role in social and residential life.
- Accommodation: York's main advantage is in convenience and short commutes, while StudentCrowd reviews highlight clean and well-maintained accommodation at Durham.
- International community: International students make up around 24% of York's student body compared with around 30% at Durham.
- Value for money: Neither city stands out as especially cheap, with both scoring slightly below the UK average for accommodation value for money.
The purpose of this article is to set out how the two cities and universities differ, and how these differences could affect your own decision about where to study.
Best For at a Glance#
Best for… | City |
Walkability and everyday convenience | York |
Traditional collegiate experience | Durham |
Lower-priced university accommodation | York |
Clean, well-kept accommodation | Durham |
Green campus setting | York |
Larger international student community | Durham |
Quick Comparison#
Before we dig into the detailed comparisons to help you decide between York and Durham, here's a high-level overview of the two. York stands out for its compact, convenient setting, while Durham is distinguished by its college system and University of the Year 2026 award. Academically the picture is mixed, with each performing better in different ranking systems.
Category | York | Durham | Notes |
Russell Group? | Yes | Yes | Both are Russell Group universities. |
QS World Ranking 2027 | =158th | 85th | Durham ranks significantly higher globally in the QS rankings. |
THE World University Ranking 2026 | =154th | =175th | York ranks slightly higher globally in the THE rankings. |
StudentCrowd accommodation score | 4.21 | 4.27 | Both score highly in StudentCrowd's reviews, but Durham is marginally higher. |
Student population | ~22,300 | ~21,000 | Both universities are similar in size. |
International students | 24% | 30% | Durham has a greater proportion of international students, but both have large international communities. |
2026/27 undergraduate tuition fees | £9,790 per year | £9,790 per year | No difference for UK undergraduates. |
Typical accommodation cost | £149-£269 per week | £169-£308 per week | York has the lower starting and maximum rates. At Durham, equivalent room types are priced consistently across colleges. |
Graduate outcomes | 89% UG / 91% PG in work or further study after 15 months | 90% UG / 93% PG in work or further study after 15 months | Both perform similarly for graduate outcomes. |
What Student Reviews Reveal About York vs Durham#
StudentCrowd's review data reveals some of the key differences between York and Durham, mainly around student accommodation, that might sway your decision in either direction depending on your preferences. Overall, York stands out for convenience and proximity, while Durham's accommodation is particularly clean and well maintained.
Category | York | Durham | UK average |
Proximity to city/town centre | 4.85 | 4.23 | 4.73 |
Proximity to university | 4.64 | 4.12 | 4.66 |
Building cleanliness | 4.11 | 4.62 | 4.42 |
Bathroom & hygiene | 2.13 | 3.64 | 3.11 |
General management quality | 3.91 | 4.66 | 4.12 |
Overall value for money | 4.14 | 4.22 | 4.34 |
For York, the clear advantage is in terms of location. Students rated the city's accommodation options very highly for both proximity to the university and the city centre, meaning most students won't need to spend much time commuting to lectures or getting to shops and nightlife. One student commented: "Both the city centre and the university are a 10-minute walk away." This really highlights the city's compact and walkable nature. If you want to have everything you need nearby (and save money on public transport), York might be the right place for you to study.
Durham, on the other hand, performs better for the general quality of accommodation, including cleanliness, bathroom and hygiene, and accommodation management. For each of these metrics, Durham's accommodation scores are higher than York's, as well as the UK national average. One Durham reviewer described their accommodation as "modern and clean", while another praised the "clean and tidy" environment. While York's bathroom and hygiene score might look worryingly low, it's worth noting that this particular stat is based on quite a small sample size, so it's important to look at individual accommodation reviews if this is a dealbreaker for you.
Value for money is much closer, with both cities scoring a little below the UK average.
University Profiles#
University of York#
The University of York is a relatively young Russell Group university, having opened in 1963 with just 230 students. The uni comprises over 30 academic departments covering the sciences, humanities, law, business and social sciences. York rose to joint 10th in the UK for research quality in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021.
Some of York's highest-performing subjects and disciplines included:
- Language and Linguistics: 1st in the UK
- Philosophy: 2nd
- Sociology: 4th
- Education: 5th
- Computer Science, Chemistry and Psychology: all within the UK top 10
York's Heslington campus covers 500 acres of green space, offering peaceful parklands, lakes, and ponds, all within walking distance of the city centre. The campus offers a distinctive mix of older buildings (dating back as far as the 1500s) with 1960s architecture.
Durham University#
Durham is another Russell Group uni, but is significantly older than the University of York; founded in 1832, it is one of the UK's oldest universities. The university is organised into three main faculties:
- Arts and Humanities
- Social Sciences and Health
- Science
What sets Durham apart from York and other universities is its 17-college system. Each student belongs to one of these colleges, which acts as a hub for accommodation, sport and societies, support, and socialising.
This college system is more comparable to the Oxbridge model than York's, although most Durham colleges do not provide formal teaching. However, college identity is a major part of day-to-day student life, providing a sense of tradition and close-knit communities. For many Durham students, the sense of belonging provided by the college system is one of the university's major draws.
International Students#
Both York and Durham have sizeable international communities, although international students make up a larger proportion of the student body at Durham (~30%) than York (~24%).
Each university offers dedicated support for international students, covering visas and immigration, arrival and orientation, and English language support. Durham arguably has a slight edge, as students arriving from abroad will be assigned to one of the uni's 17 colleges, providing access to a ready-made community.
For either university, it's important to check the exact entry requirements, scholarships and tuition fees, depending on your chosen course and country of origin.
Tuition Fees and Cost of Living#
Overall, there's very little to separate York and Durham in terms of cost. Tuition fees are identical for UK undergraduates, at £9,790 per year for 2026/27 (although note that fees may increase in the coming years as the fee cap is raised). International fees are far more varied, but your choice of course will affect this more than your choice of uni.
Neither city really stands out as a budget option. In StudentCrowd's data, value for money is rated a little worse than the national average for both cities. Both cities are fairly compact, so you'll be able to save money by walking and cycling as much as possible, compared with other, larger university cities.
As your biggest living expense, you'll want to shop around for accommodation if budget is a priority. York's university accommodation ranges from £149 to £269 per week, while Durham's is marginally higher at £169-£308 per week. Durham also standardises its prices across colleges, meaning the same room type and contract length costs the same whichever college you belong to.
Accommodation and Student Experience#
Both universities offer a range of accommodation options, and student reviews on StudentCrowd give a useful sense of what living there is actually like, beyond the marketing.
At York, reviewers frequently mention how close accommodation is to teaching buildings and the city centre, with one student noting they could "walk to every lecture in under 15 minutes."
At Durham, students often highlight the quality and upkeep of the rooms, with reviews describing accommodation as "clean and well looked after," although the compact, hilly city centre means some colleges are a longer walk from the main teaching sites.
There are a couple of common complaints that come up for both cities:
- WiFi: Patchy or unreliable internet connections are a recurring frustration in reviews at both universities.
- Maintenance and issue resolution: Some students report slow response times when reporting repairs or problems in their accommodation.
- Laundry: Limited or oversubscribed laundry facilities are mentioned as a pain point at both universities.
As with any review data, it's worth bearing in mind the number of reviews behind these scores and comments, as a small number of very positive or very negative experiences can have an outsized effect on the overall picture.
Student Life and Culture#
Beyond academics and accommodation, York and Durham each offer a distinct cultural backdrop that shapes the overall student experience.
York is one of the UK's most historic cities, with a complete medieval city wall, the iconic York Minster, and a compact centre packed with independent shops, cafes and bars, all within easy walking distance of the university's main campus.
Durham's cathedral and castle, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites, give the city a similarly historic feel, and its cobbled streets and riverside walks have made it a popular filming location, including scenes used to double for Hogwarts in the Harry Potter films. Durham is smaller and quieter than York, and students looking for a bigger night-out scene often travel to nearby Newcastle, which is around 20 minutes away by train.
Transport and Accessibility#
York benefits from being flat and compact, making it very easy to get around on foot or by bike, and it has excellent rail links, with direct trains to London, Manchester, Leeds and Edinburgh, plus York railway station being a major hub on the East Coast Main Line.
Durham is hillier, and some of the colleges are a fair walk (or bus ride) from the main teaching areas and the train station, though the city itself remains very walkable. Durham also has strong rail links, sitting on the East Coast Main Line with direct services to London, Edinburgh and Newcastle.
Both cities are well served by local bus networks, and neither requires a car, which many students find keeps costs down.
Employability and Career Prospects#
Both York and Durham are well-regarded Russell Group universities with strong graduate outcomes, and both have dedicated careers services offering support with internships, placements and graduate job applications.
Durham has particularly strong links with employers in finance, consulting and law, partly due to its reputation and college network, which can be a useful source of contacts and mentoring. York has a strong reputation in areas including biology, computer science and the social sciences, with good links to employers in these sectors.
Recommendations by Student Type#
York and Durham have a lot in common, and each performs better in different ranking systems. Therefore, the uni you choose will likely come down to personal preference, as well as any specific research or teaching strengths. To help you decide, we've outlined some recommendations for different types of students here:
- Students who want everything on their doorstep: York. One of the biggest advantages in the student data and reviews is how close accommodation is to both the university and city centre.
- Students who want a traditional collegiate experience: Durham. Durham's 17-college system plays a massive part in shaping the uni experience, offering an immediate sense of belonging and community-based social life.
- Students who want simple, predictable accommodation pricing: Durham. Pricing is standardised across Durham's colleges, so you'll spend the same amount for the same room type wherever you end up.
- Students who prioritise clean, well-kept accommodation: Durham. Durham's accommodation performs much better for building cleanliness and maintenance in the StudentCrowd review data.
- Students who want easy access to a bigger city nearby: Durham. Durham has a slight edge here, with Newcastle only 10 minutes away by train. However, York students can travel slightly further to Leeds for more nightlife options and transport links.
- Budget-conscious students: Neither. Unfortunately neither city is a great budget option, with both scoring worse than the national average for value for money. If you're looking to save as much money as possible, you might want to consider other options.
- Research-focused students: Depends on your subject. York is strong for subjects such as Language and Linguistics, Philosophy, Sociology and Education, while Durham has notable strengths in areas such as Computer Science.
Final Verdict: York or Durham?#
For students looking for a university in a historic city with a compact feel, either university is a solid choice. We've explored some of the important distinctions that might make either York or Durham a better fit for you and your expectations of student life.
If you value convenience and easy access to everything you'll need in day-to-day life, York is more likely to appeal to you. For a more traditional, collegiate experience with clean, well-maintained accommodation, you'll find it at Durham. Neither leads across both of the major ranking systems used in this comparison, so it's more important to assess the strength of your course's department and research impact.
As with any city, city-wide reviews and stats are useful metrics, but it's important to check the individual accommodation options available to find the right accommodation for you, as well as the broader StudentCrowd reviews for each city. If you're studying at either the University of York or Durham University, consider leaving a review to help prospective students make their own decision.
