# Study in York — universities, cost of living and student life

> York is a historic, safe and friendly walled city with a strong campus university.

York is a beautiful historic walled city in North Yorkshire, home to the University of York (Russell Group, collegiate campus) and York St John University. It is consistently rated one of the UK's safest and most attractive student cities, with moderate living costs and fast rail links to London. Confirm visa and cost figures on GOV.UK and university pages.

## Quick facts
- **Universities:** University of York, York St John University
- **Cost level:** Moderate — below London
- **London by train:** ≈ 1 hour 50 minutes

## Key takeaways
- Home to the University of York (Russell Group, collegiate campus) and York St John University.
- A historic walled city consistently rated among the UK's safest and most attractive.
- Living costs are moderate — below London, with a high quality of life.
- Fast rail links: under two hours to London.

## Why study in York
York packs a remarkable amount into a compact, beautiful and famously safe city. The University of York is a research-intensive Russell Group member with a collegiate campus and strengths across the sciences, social sciences and humanities, while York St John adds creative and professional courses. The medieval walls, the Minster, cobbled streets and a thriving food and culture scene give the city a high quality of life, with fast trains to London and easy access to the Yorkshire countryside.

## What it costs
York's living costs are moderate and below London, with a good supply of student accommodation around the campus and city. Your total cost of study is therefore typically lower than a comparable course in the capital, with an exceptional quality of life. Study UK Now builds a realistic York budget with you so there are no surprises on arrival.

## Frequently asked questions
### Is York a good city for international students?
Yes — York is consistently rated one of the UK's safest and most attractive student cities, with the Russell Group University of York, moderate living costs and a high quality of life. Its beauty, safety and fast links to London make it an excellent choice for international students.

### Which universities are in York?
York is home to the University of York (a Russell Group member with a collegiate campus) and York St John University (strong in creative and professional courses). Each has its own strengths and entry requirements — Study UK Now helps you choose the right one for your subject, budget and goals.

## Sources
- [University of York — international](https://www.york.ac.uk/study/international/) — University of York

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Verified: 2026-06-17