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
Paisley · Guardian UK #115
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.
4/8
Bath Spa
scored higher in 4 categories
4/8
West of Scotland
scored higher in 4 categories
Quick Verdict
Bath Spa University and University of the West of Scotland are evenly matched: each leads in 4 of 8 categories where both have data. Bath Spa University is ahead on ranking, employment, courses, scholarship; University of the West of Scotland on established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary.
Bath Spa University vs University of the West of Scotland at a glance
Bath Spa University and University of the West of Scotland both teach 23 subject areas, the largest being Design & Fashion, Business Studies and Media & Film Studies. Bath Spa University offers 249 courses across 45 subject areas; University of the West of Scotland offers 119 courses across 49 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,330 a year at Bath Spa University and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £2,830 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,760 a year at Bath Spa University and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £2,480 a year cheaper.
Of the 11 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Bath Spa University is higher in 8 and University of the West of Scotland in 3. The widest gap is in Teacher Training: £22,500 three years after graduating from Bath Spa University, against £32,000 from University of the West of Scotland. Of the 11 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of the West of Scotland is higher in 9 and Bath Spa University in 2.
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 the West of Scotland
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%
West of Scotland
33 countries · 30.3% international
- 🇵🇰Pakistan36.2%
- 🌐Nepal20.4%
- 🇮🇳India19.3%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria7.4%
- 🇧🇩Bangladesh5.3%
Subjects
23 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 the West of Scotland
Design & Fashion
21 coursesTypical fee £19,330 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £15,500 (UG)
Business Studies
10 coursesTypical fee £17,310 (UG)
9 coursesTypical fee £15,500 (UG)
Media & Film Studies
16 coursesTypical fee £18,590 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £18,140 (PG)
Sociology & Criminology
15 coursesTypical fee £17,310 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £15,500 (UG)
Teacher Training
Education Studies
11 coursesTypical fee £18,330 (UG)
1 courseTypical fee £18,000 (UG)
Applied Computing
Business & Management (General)
Childhood & Youth Studies
Music
Applied Psychology
Law
Marketing
Accounting
Hospitality, Events & Tourism
Also taught at both: Politics & International Relations, Psychology (General), Biology, Creative Arts (General), Journalism, Biomedical Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Forensic Science.
Only at Bath Spa 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
- Bath Spa University
- £18,330
- University of the West of Scotland
- £15,500
University of the West of Scotland is about £2,830 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Bath Spa University
- £18,760
- University of the West of Scotland
- £16,280
University of the West of Scotland is about £2,480 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 the West of Scotland
Design & Fashion
£21,000Salary (3 years)£17,50084%Satisfaction91%Business Studies
£25,000Salary (3 years)£21,00085%Satisfaction75%Sociology & Criminology
£21,000Salary (3 years)£23,00084%SatisfactionNo dataTeacher Training
£22,500Salary (3 years)£32,00079%Satisfaction94%Education Studies
£22,500Salary (3 years)No data85%Satisfaction96%Childhood & Youth Studies
£21,000Salary (3 years)£24,50079%Satisfaction92%Music
£19,500Salary (3 years)£18,50093%Satisfaction90%Accounting
£24,500Salary (3 years)£21,00084%Satisfaction86%Hospitality, Events & Tourism
£24,500Salary (3 years)£19,00086%Satisfaction93%Biology
£24,500Salary (3 years)£20,50096%Satisfaction99%Creative Arts (General)
£20,000Salary (3 years)£16,00065%Satisfaction91%Journalism
£20,000Salary (3 years)£19,50082%Satisfaction87%
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
University of the West of Scotland
View all scholarships →FAQ
Bath Spa University vs University of the West of Scotland: common questions
Is Bath Spa University or University of the West of Scotland cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,330 a year at Bath Spa University and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £2,830 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,760 a year at Bath Spa University and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £2,480 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 the West of Scotland?
Both universities teach 23 subject areas: Design & Fashion, Business Studies, Media & Film Studies, Sociology & Criminology, Teacher Training, Education Studies, Applied Computing, Business & Management (General), Childhood & Youth Studies, Music, Applied Psychology, Law and 11 more.
Is Bath Spa University or University of the West of Scotland better for Design & Fashion?
Design & Fashion graduates earn a median £21,000 three years after graduating from Bath Spa University, and £17,500 from University of the West of Scotland. Student satisfaction with teaching is 84% at Bath Spa University and 91% at University of the West of Scotland. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Bath Spa University or University of the West of Scotland offer more courses?
Bath Spa University lists 249 courses on CourseOptions and University of the West of Scotland lists 119 courses.
What can you study at Bath Spa University but not at University of the West of Scotland?
Bath Spa University teaches 22 subject areas that University of the West of Scotland does not, including Creative Writing, Computer Science, Drama & Theatre, Film Production & Cinematography, English Literature, History, Nutrition & Dietetics, Fine Art and 14 more.
What can you study at University of the West of Scotland but not at Bath Spa University?
University of the West of Scotland teaches 26 subject areas that Bath Spa University does not, including Business Information Systems, Chemistry, Computing & IT, General Engineering, Physics, Social Sciences (General), Social Work, Aerospace Engineering and 18 more.
Ready to explore courses?
Browse available courses, check entry requirements, and find scholarships at each university.