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.
Bath · Guardian UK #104
Lancaster · Guardian UK #101
Head-to-Head Summary
Based on 8 datapoints
We looked at 8 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.
5/8
Bath Spa
scored higher in 5 categories
3/8
Cumbria
scored higher in 3 categories
Quick Verdict
Bath Spa University leads in 5 of 8 categories where both have data (established, satisfaction, international, courses, scholarship). University of Cumbria is ahead on ranking, employment, graduate salary.
Bath Spa University vs University of Cumbria at a glance
Bath Spa University and University of Cumbria both teach 20 subject areas, the largest being Design & Fashion, Childhood & Youth Studies and Sociology & Criminology. Bath Spa University offers 249 courses across 45 subject areas; University of Cumbria offers 136 courses across 40 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,330 a year at Bath Spa University and £16,000 at University of Cumbria: University of Cumbria is about £2,330 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,760 a year at Bath Spa University and £16,900 at University of Cumbria: University of Cumbria is about £1,860 a year cheaper.
Of the 14 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Bath Spa University is higher in 11 and University of Cumbria in 3. The widest gap is in Biomedical Sciences: £22,500 three years after graduating from Bath Spa University, against £33,000 from University of Cumbria. Of the 14 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Cumbria is higher in 8 and Bath Spa University in 5, with 1 about level.
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.
Bath Spa University
University of Cumbria
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.
Bath Spa
40 countries · 2.7% international
- 🇷🇴Romania25.3%
- 🇮🇳India17.7%
- 🇨🇳China9.5%
- 🌐Bulgaria5.7%
- 🇺🇸United States3.8%
Cumbria
14 countries · 2.6% international
- 🇨🇦Canada14.9%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan14.9%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria10.6%
- 🇩🇪Germany8.5%
- 🇮🇪Ireland8.5%
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.
Bath Spa University
University of Cumbria
Design & Fashion
21 coursesTypical fee £19,330 (UG)
6 coursesTypical fee £16,000 (UG)
Childhood & Youth Studies
6 coursesTypical fee £17,490 (PG)
17 coursesTypical fee £31,000 (PG)
Sociology & Criminology
15 coursesTypical fee £17,310 (UG)
3 coursesTypical fee £16,000 (UG)
Film Production & Cinematography
Business Studies
10 coursesTypical fee £17,310 (UG)
5 coursesTypical fee £16,000 (UG)
Business & Management (General)
Education Studies
11 coursesTypical fee £18,330 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £16,000 (UG)
Computer Science
10 coursesTypical fee £18,760 (PG)
2 coursesTypical fee £16,000 (UG)
Law
Psychology (General)
Fine Art
Hospitality, Events & Tourism
Counselling & Psychotherapy
Ecology & Conservation
Teacher Training
Also taught at both: Applied Psychology, Biomedical Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Games Design & Computer Animation, Physical Geography & Climate.
Only at Bath Spa University
Only at University of Cumbria
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
- Bath Spa University
- £18,330
- University of Cumbria
- £16,000
University of Cumbria is about £2,330 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Bath Spa University
- £18,760
- University of Cumbria
- £16,900
University of Cumbria is about £1,860 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.
Bath Spa University
University of Cumbria
Design & Fashion
£21,000Salary (3 years)£17,00084%Satisfaction74%Sociology & Criminology
£21,000Salary (3 years)£19,50084%Satisfaction70%Film Production & Cinematography
£20,000Salary (3 years)£17,00084%Satisfaction77%Business Studies
£25,000Salary (3 years)£21,00085%Satisfaction89%Business & Management (General)
£24,500Salary (3 years)£21,00086%Satisfaction85%Law
No dataSalary (3 years)£18,50090%Satisfaction95%Psychology (General)
£22,000Salary (3 years)£19,50084%Satisfaction87%Fine Art
£20,000Salary (3 years)£17,00085%Satisfaction91%Hospitality, Events & Tourism
£24,500Salary (3 years)£21,00086%Satisfaction82%Counselling & Psychotherapy
£22,500Salary (3 years)£26,50092%Satisfaction94%Ecology & Conservation
£24,500Salary (3 years)£21,00090%Satisfaction92%Teacher Training
£22,500Salary (3 years)£25,00079%Satisfaction82%
Showing the 12 largest of 15 shared subjects with published outcomes.
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveBath Spa University
Explore It! Launch It! Grow It!
£5,000
Deadline: N/A
International Recruitment Office Scholarship
£5,000
Deadline: Jun 2026
MyWorld Scholarship
£5,000
Deadline: N/A
Global Horizons Award
£3,500
Deadline: N/A
Postgraduate Alumni Scholarship
£2,000
Deadline: N/A
FAQ
Bath Spa University vs University of Cumbria: common questions
Is Bath Spa University or University of Cumbria cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,330 a year at Bath Spa University and £16,000 at University of Cumbria: University of Cumbria is about £2,330 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,760 a year at Bath Spa University and £16,900 at University of Cumbria: University of Cumbria is about £1,860 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 Bath Spa University and University of Cumbria?
Both universities teach 20 subject areas: Design & Fashion, Childhood & Youth Studies, Sociology & Criminology, Film Production & Cinematography, Business Studies, Business & Management (General), Education Studies, Computer Science, Law, Psychology (General), Fine Art, Hospitality, Events & Tourism and 8 more.
Is Bath Spa University or University of Cumbria better for Design & Fashion?
Design & Fashion graduates earn a median £21,000 three years after graduating from Bath Spa University, and £17,000 from University of Cumbria. Student satisfaction with teaching is 84% at Bath Spa University and 74% at University of Cumbria. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Bath Spa University or University of Cumbria offer more courses?
Bath Spa University lists 249 courses on CourseOptions and University of Cumbria lists 136 courses.
What can you study at Bath Spa University but not at University of Cumbria?
Bath Spa University teaches 25 subject areas that University of Cumbria does not, including Media & Film Studies, Creative Writing, Drama & Theatre, English Literature, Marketing, Music, History, Nutrition & Dietetics and 17 more.
What can you study at University of Cumbria but not at Bath Spa University?
University of Cumbria teaches 20 subject areas that Bath Spa University does not, including Sport & Exercise Sciences, Forestry & Arboriculture, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Human Geography & Environment, Mechanical Engineering, Nursing (General), Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Zoology & Animal Biology and 12 more.
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