Compare any two UK universities
Select any two universities below and we'll generate an instant, data-driven comparison — rankings, salaries, student satisfaction, international community, and more.
Dundee · Guardian UK #55
Sunderland · Guardian UK #86
Head-to-Head Summary
Based on 7 datapoints
We looked at 7 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.
3/7
Abertay
scored higher in 3 categories
4/7
Sunderland
scored higher in 4 categories
Quick Verdict
University of Sunderland leads in 4 of 7 categories where both have data (satisfaction, employment, international, courses). Abertay University is ahead on ranking, established, graduate salary.
Abertay University vs University of Sunderland at a glance
Abertay University and University of Sunderland both teach 20 subject areas, the largest being Law, Hospitality, Events & Tourism and Sport & Exercise Sciences. Abertay University offers 82 courses across 31 subject areas; University of Sunderland offers 193 courses across 56 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,950 a year at Abertay University and £17,500 at University of Sunderland: Abertay University is about £550 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,950 a year at Abertay University and £17,000 at University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland is about £1,950 a year cheaper.
Of the 15 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Abertay University is higher in 15 and University of Sunderland in 0. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £30,500 three years after graduating from Abertay University, against £25,500 from University of Sunderland. Of the 14 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Sunderland is higher in 10 and Abertay University in 4.
World & National Rankings
Compare world and national league table positions, TEF ratings, and Russell Group membership.
Visual Breakdown
Key metrics at a glance
Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.
Abertay University
University of Sunderland
Satisfaction
Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)
Graduate Salaries (5y)
Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation
Employment
Graduate employment rate
International
International student share
Course Counts
Number of courses offered
Scholarships
Number of scholarships
International Community
Where do international students come from?
Top source countries based on official HESA enrolment data. A higher diversity of nationalities often means a richer campus experience.
Abertay
29 countries · 9.3% international
- 🇫🇷France28%
- 🇮🇳India16.1%
- 🇺🇸United States8.6%
- 🇨🇳China3.2%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria3.2%
Sunderland
56 countries · 36.5% international
- 🌐Nepal29.5%
- 🇮🇳India17.7%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria16.6%
- 🇨🇳China7.3%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan6.9%
Subjects
20 subjects you can study at both
Courses listed at each university in the subject, and the typical (median) international fee a year. Select a count to see the courses.
Abertay University
University of Sunderland
Law
5 coursesTypical fee £16,950 (UG)
12 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
Hospitality, Events & Tourism
1 courseTypical fee £16,950 (UG)
12 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
Sport & Exercise Sciences
Business & Management (General)
Computer Science
Marketing
Games Design & Computer Animation
Accounting
Film Production & Cinematography
Psychology (General)
Applied Psychology
Biomedical Sciences
Finance & Actuarial Science
Sociology & Criminology
Software Engineering
Also taught at both: Counselling & Psychotherapy, Human Resource Management, Clinical & Health Psychology, Management, Mental Health Nursing.
Only at Abertay University
Fees
What it costs international students
The typical (median) international tuition fee a year across each university's published course fees. Individual courses vary; each course page shows its own fee.
Undergraduate
- Abertay University
- £16,950
- University of Sunderland
- £17,500
Abertay University is about £550 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Abertay University
- £18,950
- University of Sunderland
- £17,000
University of Sunderland is about £1,950 a year cheaper.
Outcomes
Graduate outcomes by subject
Median graduate salary three years after graduating, and student satisfaction with teaching, across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject. Source: Discover Uni.
Abertay University
University of Sunderland
Law
£23,000Salary (3 years)£19,00092%Satisfaction95%Hospitality, Events & Tourism
£22,500Salary (3 years)£19,00083%Satisfaction93%Sport & Exercise Sciences
£20,500Salary (3 years)£19,50092%Satisfaction86%Business & Management (General)
£22,500Salary (3 years)£20,00064%Satisfaction92%Computer Science
£30,500Salary (3 years)£25,500No dataSatisfaction78%Marketing
£21,500Salary (3 years)£20,00083%Satisfaction91%Games Design & Computer Animation
£30,500Salary (3 years)£25,50087%Satisfaction98%Accounting
£20,500Salary (3 years)£20,00073%Satisfaction92%Psychology (General)
£22,000Salary (3 years)£19,00086%Satisfaction88%Applied Psychology
£22,500Salary (3 years)£19,00090%Satisfaction97%Biomedical Sciences
£29,500Salary (3 years)£26,00090%Satisfaction93%Sociology & Criminology
£22,000Salary (3 years)£18,50088%Satisfaction87%
Showing the 12 largest of 15 shared subjects with published outcomes.
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveAbertay University
View all scholarships →University of Sunderland
View all scholarships →FAQ
Abertay University vs University of Sunderland: common questions
Is Abertay University or University of Sunderland cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,950 a year at Abertay University and £17,500 at University of Sunderland: Abertay University is about £550 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,950 a year at Abertay University and £17,000 at University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland is about £1,950 a year cheaper. These are medians of the international tuition fees each university publishes for its courses; the fee for a specific course is on its course page.
What subjects can you study at both Abertay University and University of Sunderland?
Both universities teach 20 subject areas: Law, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Business & Management (General), Computer Science, Marketing, Games Design & Computer Animation, Accounting, Film Production & Cinematography, Psychology (General), Applied Psychology, Biomedical Sciences and 8 more.
Is Abertay University or University of Sunderland better for Law?
Law graduates earn a median £23,000 three years after graduating from Abertay University, and £19,000 from University of Sunderland. Student satisfaction with teaching is 92% at Abertay University and 95% at University of Sunderland. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Abertay University or University of Sunderland offer more courses?
University of Sunderland lists 193 courses on CourseOptions and Abertay University lists 82 courses.
What can you study at Abertay University but not at University of Sunderland?
Abertay University teaches 11 subject areas that University of Sunderland does not, including Civil Engineering, Food Science, Human Geography & Environment, Nutrition & Dietetics, Politics & International Relations, Applied Computing, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Building & Construction and 3 more.
What can you study at University of Sunderland but not at Abertay University?
University of Sunderland teaches 36 subject areas that Abertay University does not, including Business Studies, Design & Fashion, Media & Film Studies, Journalism, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Childhood & Youth Studies and 28 more.
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