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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
Aberystwyth University

Aberystwyth · QS World #801

S
Swansea University

Swansea · QS World #322

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 5 datapoints

We looked at 5 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

2/5

Aberystwyth

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

3/5

Swansea

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

Swansea University leads in 3 of 5 categories where both have data (ranking, courses). Aberystwyth University is ahead on established, scholarship.

Aberystwyth University vs Swansea University at a glance

Aberystwyth University and Swansea University both teach 50 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Law and Politics & International Relations. Aberystwyth University offers 414 courses across 66 subject areas; Swansea University offers 916 courses across 97 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,720 a year at Aberystwyth University and £21,550 at Swansea University: Aberystwyth University is about £830 a year cheaper.

Of the 29 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Swansea University is higher in 24 and Aberystwyth University in 2, with 3 about level. The widest gap is in Economics: £22,500 three years after graduating from Aberystwyth University, against £30,000 from Swansea University. Of the 34 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Aberystwyth University is higher in 19 and Swansea University in 12, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#801
QS World
#322
—
THE World
#301
#62
Guardian UK
#32
1872
Established
1920
No
Russell Group
No
Gold
TEF Rating
—

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Aberystwyth University

Swansea University

No data
86.1%

Satisfaction

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

No data
£31,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

No data
78.5%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

No data
14.1%

International

International student share

414
916

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

22
5

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.

Aberystwyth

No published data on international students

    VS

    Swansea

    73 countries · 14.1% international

    • 🇮🇳India25.4%
    • 🇨🇳China12.7%
    • 🇳🇬Nigeria8.2%
    • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia4.5%
    • 🇭🇰Hong Kong3.9%

    Subjects

    50 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.

    Aberystwyth University

    Swansea University

    Also taught at both: Media & Film Studies, Accounting, Childhood & Youth Studies, Genetics & Genomics, Human Geography & Environment, Welsh Studies, Physical Geography & Climate, Biochemistry, English Literature, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Biology, Creative Writing, Ecology & Conservation, Environmental Sciences, Zoology & Animal Biology, Marketing, Philosophy, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Computing & IT, English Language, English Studies, Geology & Earth Sciences, Information & Library Studies, Humanities, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Mental Health Nursing, Software Engineering, Adult Nursing, Applied Psychology, Information Systems & Data Science, Biological Sciences (General), Anatomy & Pathology, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Heritage & Conservation, Management.

    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

    Aberystwyth University
    £20,720
    Swansea University
    £21,550

    Aberystwyth University is about £830 a year cheaper.

    Postgraduate

    Aberystwyth University
    No data
    Swansea University
    £22,950

    We do not have reliable international fee data for Aberystwyth University yet.

    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.

    Aberystwyth University

    Swansea University

    • Computer Science

      £34,000Salary (3 years)£31,500
      84%Satisfaction84%
    • Law

      £20,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
      87%Satisfaction82%
    • Politics & International Relations

      £22,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
      92%Satisfaction90%
    • Mathematics

      £23,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
      97%Satisfaction86%
    • History

      £19,500Salary (3 years)£21,500
      92%Satisfaction90%
    • Sociology & Criminology

      £20,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
      87%Satisfaction87%
    • Economics

      £22,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
      73%Satisfaction90%
    • Physics

      £22,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
      91%Satisfaction91%
    • Business Studies

      £23,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
      93%Satisfaction82%
    • Finance & Actuarial Science

      £23,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
      98%Satisfaction90%
    • Health Sciences & Paramedic Science

      No dataSalary (3 years)£20,500
      95%Satisfaction97%
    • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

      No dataSalary (3 years)£30,000
      89%Satisfaction69%

    Showing the 12 largest of 35 shared subjects with published outcomes.

    Scholarships for International Students

    Exclusive

    Aberystwyth University

    International Accommodation Award

    100%

    Deadline: N/A

    International Accommodation Award

    100%

    Deadline: N/A

    Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship Exam

    £6,000

    Deadline: N/A

    Vice-Chancellor's Regional Scholarship (PG)

    £3,000

    Deadline: N/A

    David Game College Scholarship

    £2,500

    Deadline: N/A

    View all scholarships →

    Swansea University

    History and Heritage Studies: AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership Studentship (Fully Funded) in History with Museum Wales (RS950)

    100%

    Deadline: N/A

    History: AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership Studentship (Fully Funded) in History with The National Archives (RS948)

    100%

    Deadline: N/A

    History: AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership Studentship in History with Museum Wales (RS949)

    See details

    Deadline: N/A

    PhD Studentship in Sustainable Fusion Steels: Whole Lifecycle Design of Tokamak Vacuum Vessel Steels (RS964)

    See details

    Deadline: N/A

    Swansea University International Postgraduate Research Excellence Scholarships 2025/26

    See details

    Deadline: N/A

    View all scholarships →

    FAQ

    Aberystwyth University vs Swansea University: common questions

    Is Aberystwyth University or Swansea University cheaper for international students?

    For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,720 a year at Aberystwyth University and £21,550 at Swansea University: Aberystwyth University is about £830 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 Aberystwyth University and Swansea University?

    Both universities teach 50 subject areas: Computer Science, Law, Politics & International Relations, Mathematics, History, Business & Management (General), Sociology & Criminology, Economics, Physics, Business Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science and 38 more.

    Is Aberystwyth University or Swansea University better for Computer Science?

    Computer Science graduates earn a median £34,000 three years after graduating from Aberystwyth University, and £31,500 from Swansea University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 84% at Aberystwyth University and 84% at Swansea University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

    Does Aberystwyth University or Swansea University offer more courses?

    Swansea University lists 916 courses on CourseOptions and Aberystwyth University lists 414 courses.

    What can you study at Aberystwyth University but not at Swansea University?

    Aberystwyth University teaches 16 subject areas that Swansea University does not, including Agriculture & Land Management, Animal Science, Drama & Theatre, Fine Art, History of Art & Design, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Ancient Languages, French and 8 more.

    What can you study at Swansea University but not at Aberystwyth University?

    Swansea University teaches 47 subject areas that Aberystwyth University does not, including Teacher Training, Civil Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, American & Comparative Studies, Chemical Engineering, General Engineering, Medical Sciences, Classical Studies and 39 more.

    Ready to explore courses?

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