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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.

A
Abertay University

Dundee · Guardian UK #55

U
University of the West of Scotland

Paisley · Guardian UK #115

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.

2/7

Abertay

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

5/7

West of Scotland

scored higher in 5 categories

Quick Verdict

University of the West of Scotland leads in 5 of 7 categories where both have data (satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary, courses). Abertay University is ahead on ranking, established.

Abertay University vs University of the West of Scotland at a glance

Abertay University and University of the West of Scotland both teach 15 subject areas, the largest being Accounting, Applied Computing and Business & Management (General). Abertay University offers 82 courses across 31 subject areas; University of the West of Scotland offers 119 courses across 49 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,950 a year at Abertay University and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £1,450 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,950 a year at Abertay University and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £2,670 a year cheaper.

Of the 8 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Abertay University is higher in 5 and University of the West of Scotland in 3. The widest gap is in Applied Computing: £30,500 three years after graduating from Abertay University, against £22,000 from University of the West of Scotland. Of the 6 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Abertay University is higher in 3 and University of the West of Scotland in 3.

World & National Rankings

Compare world and national league table positions, TEF ratings, and Russell Group membership.

—
QS World
—
—
THE World
#601
#55
Guardian UK
#115
1888
Established
1897
No
Russell Group
No
—
TEF Rating
—

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.

Abertay University

University of the West of Scotland

88%
89%

Satisfaction

Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)

£29,600
£31,134.9

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

80.5%
81.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

9.3%
30.3%

International

International student share

82
119

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
0

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%
VS

West of Scotland

33 countries · 30.3% international

  • 🇵🇰Pakistan36.2%
  • 🌐Nepal20.4%
  • 🇮🇳India19.3%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria7.4%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh5.3%

Subjects

15 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 the West of Scotland

Only at Abertay University

Only at University of the West of Scotland

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 the West of Scotland
£15,500

University of the West of Scotland is about £1,450 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Abertay University
£18,950
University of the West of Scotland
£16,280

University of the West of Scotland is about £2,670 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 the West of Scotland

  • Accounting

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    73%Satisfaction86%

  • Applied Computing

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£22,000
    87%Satisfaction90%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    92%Satisfaction91%

  • Law

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    92%SatisfactionNo data

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £22,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    88%SatisfactionNo data

  • Hospitality, Events & Tourism

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£19,000
    83%Satisfaction93%

  • Forensic Science

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    100%Satisfaction95%

  • Mental Health Nursing

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£28,500
    98%Satisfaction91%

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Abertay University

View all scholarships →

University of the West of Scotland

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Abertay University vs University of the West of Scotland: common questions

Is Abertay University or University of the West of Scotland cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,950 a year at Abertay University and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £1,450 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,950 a year at Abertay University and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £2,670 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 the West of Scotland?

Both universities teach 15 subject areas: Accounting, Applied Computing, Business & Management (General), Sport & Exercise Sciences, Law, Applied Psychology, Marketing, Biomedical Sciences, Sociology & Criminology, Human Geography & Environment, Politics & International Relations, Psychology (General) and 3 more.

Is Abertay University or University of the West of Scotland better for Accounting?

Accounting graduates earn a median £20,500 three years after graduating from Abertay University, and £21,000 from University of the West of Scotland. Student satisfaction with teaching is 73% at Abertay University and 86% at University of the West of Scotland. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Abertay University or University of the West of Scotland offer more courses?

University of the West of Scotland lists 119 courses on CourseOptions and Abertay University lists 82 courses.

What can you study at Abertay University but not at University of the West of Scotland?

Abertay University teaches 16 subject areas that University of the West of Scotland does not, including Games Design & Computer Animation, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Food Science, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Nutrition & Dietetics, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Building & Construction and 8 more.

What can you study at University of the West of Scotland but not at Abertay University?

University of the West of Scotland teaches 34 subject areas that Abertay University does not, including Business Studies, Teacher Training, Business Information Systems, Chemistry, Computing & IT, General Engineering, Childhood & Youth Studies, Physics and 26 more.

Ready to explore courses?

Browse available courses, check entry requirements, and find scholarships at each university.

A
Abertay University82 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of the West of Scotland119 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses