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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.

B
Bournemouth University

Poole · QS World #801

U
University of Cambridge

Cambridge · QS World #6

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 11 datapoints

We looked at 11 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

1/11

Bournemouth

scored higher in 1 category

VS

10/11

Cambridge

scored higher in 10 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Cambridge leads in 10 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, TEF, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses). Bournemouth University is ahead on employment.

Bournemouth University vs University of Cambridge at a glance

Bournemouth University and University of Cambridge both teach 29 subject areas, the largest being Biological Sciences (General), Law and Business & Management (General). Bournemouth University offers 225 courses across 59 subject areas; University of Cambridge offers 336 courses across 79 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,690 a year at Bournemouth University and £32,890 at University of Cambridge: Bournemouth University is about £12,200 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,690 a year at Bournemouth University and £41,300 at University of Cambridge: Bournemouth University is about £21,610 a year cheaper.

Of the 10 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Cambridge is higher in 9 and Bournemouth University in 0, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Economics: £25,500 three years after graduating from Bournemouth University, against £59,500 from University of Cambridge. Of the 10 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Cambridge is higher in 9 and Bournemouth University in 1.

World & National Rankings

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

#801
QS World
#6
#401
THE World
#3
#59
Guardian UK
#2
1992
Established
1209
No
Russell Group
Yes
Silver
TEF Rating
Gold

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Bournemouth University

University of Cambridge

80.8%
92.1%

Satisfaction

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

£33,600
£49,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

86.4%
76.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16.4%
32.2%

International

International student share

225
336

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.

Bournemouth

73 countries · 16.4% international

  • 🇮🇳India27.9%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria13.8%
  • 🇨🇳China10.5%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia6.5%
  • 🇹🇷Turkey5.6%
VS

Cambridge

96 countries · 32.2% international

  • 🇨🇳China28.2%
  • 🇺🇸United States10.3%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore6.6%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5.3%
  • 🇮🇳India4.7%

Subjects

29 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.

Bournemouth University

University of Cambridge

Also taught at both: Politics & International Relations, Archaeology, Finance & Actuarial Science, Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Human Geography & Environment, Creative Writing, Geography (General), Music, Anthropology, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Health & Social Care, Computing & IT, Humanities.

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

Bournemouth University
£20,690
University of Cambridge
£32,890

Bournemouth University is about £12,200 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Bournemouth University
£19,690
University of Cambridge
£41,300

Bournemouth University is about £21,610 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.

Bournemouth University

University of Cambridge

  • Biological Sciences (General)

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£35,000
    95%Satisfaction91%
  • Law

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£49,000
    85%Satisfaction96%
  • Computer Science

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£63,500
    73%Satisfaction94%
  • History

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    93%Satisfaction95%
  • General Engineering

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£39,500
    73%Satisfaction87%
  • Economics

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£59,500
    78%Satisfaction86%
  • Psychology (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    77%Satisfaction92%
  • Archaeology

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    93%Satisfaction95%
  • Geography (General)

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    84%Satisfaction95%
  • Music

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    85%Satisfaction97%

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Bournemouth University

View all scholarships →

University of Cambridge

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Bournemouth University vs University of Cambridge: common questions

Is Bournemouth University or University of Cambridge cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,690 a year at Bournemouth University and £32,890 at University of Cambridge: Bournemouth University is about £12,200 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,690 a year at Bournemouth University and £41,300 at University of Cambridge: Bournemouth University is about £21,610 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 Bournemouth University and University of Cambridge?

Both universities teach 29 subject areas: Biological Sciences (General), Law, Business & Management (General), Computer Science, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Sociology & Criminology, History, General Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Childhood & Youth Studies, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Management and 17 more.

Is Bournemouth University or University of Cambridge better for Biological Sciences (General)?

Biological Sciences (General) graduates earn a median £21,500 three years after graduating from Bournemouth University, and £35,000 from University of Cambridge. Student satisfaction with teaching is 95% at Bournemouth University and 91% at University of Cambridge. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Bournemouth University or University of Cambridge offer more courses?

University of Cambridge lists 336 courses on CourseOptions and Bournemouth University lists 225 courses.

What can you study at Bournemouth University but not at University of Cambridge?

Bournemouth University teaches 30 subject areas that University of Cambridge does not, including Marketing, Film Production & Cinematography, Applied Computing, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Games Design & Computer Animation, Journalism, Accounting, Business Information Systems and 22 more.

What can you study at University of Cambridge but not at Bournemouth University?

University of Cambridge teaches 50 subject areas that Bournemouth University does not, including Asian Languages & Studies, Mathematics, Architecture, Clinical Specialities, Philosophy, Physics, Biology, Genetics & Genomics and 42 more.

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