The University of York is a competitive Russell Group university that is achievable for well-qualified applicants. It makes offers to a majority of applicants across most courses, with typical A-level offers from ABB to AAA. It is especially strong in the social sciences, history, English, computer science and biology, and meeting the grades matters more than at the very top universities.
The University of York is a strong, research-intensive Russell Group university — competitive but achievable for well-qualified applicants. It is a Russell Group member (which it joined in 2012), organised around a collegiate system, and especially well regarded for the social sciences, history, English, computer science, biology and economics. Getting in means understanding what the numbers mean for your specific course.
The real acceptance rate at York
The headline "acceptance rate" hides a lot, and the gap matters.
Applications received: high across a broad range of courses, with the strongest competition on its flagship humanities, social science and computing programmes.
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Review my statement → From £7.49 · Results in under 10 minOffers made: York makes offers to a majority of applicants across most courses — an offer rate well above the most selective universities.
By subject, the picture varies. English, History, Economics and Computer Science are markedly more competitive than the institutional average; many other courses make offers to most well-qualified applicants.
The key point: for most York courses, meeting the grade requirement puts you in a strong position. On the most oversubscribed courses, grades are the entry ticket and the personal statement matters more.
Source: University of York admissions data and UCAS sector figures.
Entry requirements by course
| Course | Typical A-level Offer | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| English | AAA | Essay-based subjects; strong department |
| History | AAA | Essay subjects |
| Computer Science | AAA | Maths required |
| Economics | AAA | Maths required |
| Biology / Biochemistry | AAA–AAB | Two sciences |
| Law | AAA–AAB | Essay-based subjects help |
| Psychology | AAB | A science often preferred |
| Social Sciences (Sociology, Politics) | ABB–AAB | Essay subjects |
IB requirements: York's standard IB offer typically sits between 34 and 37 points, with higher requirements for its most competitive courses.
York's strengths: humanities, social sciences and computing
York's reputation is built on excellent humanities and social science departments — English, History, Politics and Sociology — alongside a strong Computer Science department and well-regarded biological sciences. On these flagship courses, the grade range is at the top of the institutional band, and demonstrating genuine intellectual engagement in your personal statement helps you stand out among high-grade applicants.
Rankings and Russell Group standing
- QS World University Rankings 2026: within the global top 200
- Complete University Guide / Guardian 2026: within the UK top 25
- Research strength: strong across the social sciences, humanities, computer science and biology
York received its royal charter in 1963 and joined the Russell Group in 2012. It sits in the upper tier of UK universities and consistently ranks well for student experience.
Contextual offers at York
York operates contextual admissions. Eligible applicants — from under-represented backgrounds or low-participation areas — may receive reduced offers and are considered with additional context. Check York's published criteria, as they vary by course.
Who gets into York?
For most courses, offers go to applicants who:
- Are predicted ABB to AAA with the relevant subjects
- Meet any course-specific requirements (Maths for Computer Science and Economics)
- Have a personal statement showing genuine subject engagement
For most York courses, meeting the grades puts you in a strong position — the personal statement becomes decisive mainly on the flagship humanities, social science and computing programmes.
York vs. comparable universities
York sits alongside universities like Durham, Exeter, Leeds and Nottingham — strong Russell Group universities known for humanities and social sciences that are competitive but achievable. Its distinguishing features are its collegiate system and its excellent humanities and social science departments.
The personal statement: what York is looking for
For most York courses, meeting the grades is the main hurdle, and the personal statement — now the three UCAS questions for 2027 entry — confirms genuine interest and fit. On the flagship humanities and social science courses, where much depends on essays and reading, it does far more work.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the acceptance rate at York?
York makes offers to a majority of applicants across most courses, so its overall offer rate is well above the most selective universities. Competitive courses have lower success rates, so the figure varies by subject.
What grades do you need to get into York?
Most York courses require ABB to AAA at A-level. Its strongest and most competitive subjects — such as English, History, Computer Science and Economics — sit at the top of that range. Check the exact requirements for your course.
Is York a good university?
Yes — York is a Russell Group university (which it joined in 2012), collegiate in structure, and particularly strong in the social sciences, history, English, computer science, biology and economics. It ranks within the UK top 25 and the global top 200.
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