Awards, achievements and rankings
The University of York is one of the success stories in UK higher education.
Since our foundation in 1963, we have powered our way to a consistently high ranking in the UK and are one of just six post-war universities to have appeared in the world top 100.
Rankings
University of the Year shortlisted
We have been shortlisted for University of the Year in the Times Higher Education (THE) Awards 2023. This nomination was based on our student-focused response to the cost of living crisis.
However, this isn't the first time our efforts have been recognised. We have previously been shortlisted for two prestigious University of the Year awards:
- Times Higher Education Awards 2021
- The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022
Times Higher Education World University Rankings
- Joint 146th in the world in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings (2025)
- 82nd in the world for 'international outlook'
- 18th in the UK
- 51st in the world for arts and humanities (2024)
- Top 175 in the world for life sciences (2024)
- Top 150 in the world for social sciences (2024)
QS World University Rankings
- 184th in the QS World University Rankings 2024
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=79th in the world for Arts and Humanities (QS World University Rankings by subject, 2024)
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Seven subjects in the world top 100 (QS World University Rankings by subject, 2024)
Times Higher Education Interdisciplinary Science Rankings 2025 with Schmidt Science Fellows
We have been ranked 51st in the first edition of the Times Higher Education Interdisciplinary Science Rankings (ISR) 2025.
The Interdisciplinary Science Rankings is the first effort of its kind to measure universities’ contributions and commitment to interdisciplinary science. It includes 11 carefully calibrated performance indicators to assess institutions across three key areas, each representing a stage in the life cycle of research projects: inputs (funding); process (measures of success, facilities, administrative support and promotion); and outputs (publications, research quality and reputation).
Research Excellence Framework
We were ranked joint 10th in the UK for the quality of our research in the Times Higher Education (THE) ranking of the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021.
All of our subject areas ranked in the top 30 in the UK, with four of our Departments positioned in the top five: Language and Linguistics (1st), Philosophy (2nd), Sociology (4th), Education (5th).
Teaching Excellence Framework
In 2023, we achieved our second consecutive Gold Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) award.
The award is decided by an independent panel of experts, focusing on areas that students care about the most: teaching, learning and achieving positive outcomes from their studies.
Athena Swan
Our commitment to gender equality has been recognised with a bronze institutional award and 22 departmental awards from Athena Swan. Find out more about our awards and the Athena Swan charter.
THE Impact Rankings 2024
The Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings is a global performance league table that assesses universities against the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The University of York was ranked =4th in the UK (=65th globally) for our performance against SDG 5 Gender equality; a mark of our pivotal role in empowering women and advancing gender equality across global communities.
We ranked highly for SDG 13 Climate action, placing 10th in the UK and 40th in the world. This recognises our efforts in addressing climate-related hazards, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing adaptive capacity through robust research and effective campus policies.
York also fell within the top 100 globally for SDG 11 Sustainable cities and communities, ranking 80th in the world and 15th in the UK.
The University of York ranked in the banding 101st - 200th out of 1963 institutions worldwide.
Top 2% in the world for sustainability
York has been ranked 12th in the UK and 34th globally in the QS Sustainability Rankings 2025. These rankings assess 1,744 universities worldwide on their impact in addressing Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) challenges, in which York achieved the number one global position for governance. See the full QS World Sustainability Rankings.
2nd friendliest place to live
The city of York is ranked #2 in the friendliest places to live in the UK (2024) from digital community Rest Less. York's fascinating history, winding medieval streets and excellent arts scene are just some of the reasons for its high recognition.
Awards
Queen's Anniversary Prize
York is a six-times winner of the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for research in the following departments and centres:
Times Higher Education Awards
In recent years we have won five prestigious Times Higher Education Awards:
- 2015: Best Development and Alumni Relations team
- 2012: Outstanding Support for Early Career Researchers
- 2011: Outstanding Engineering Research Team, member of the Widening Participation Initiative of the Year partnership
- 2010: University of the Year
- 2009: Outstanding Contribution to Leadership Development