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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 Plymouth

Plymouth · QS World #691

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.

4/11

Bournemouth

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

7/11

Plymouth

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Plymouth leads in 7 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, TEF, established, satisfaction, courses, scholarship). Bournemouth University is ahead on ranking, employment, international, graduate salary.

Bournemouth University vs University of Plymouth at a glance

Bournemouth University and University of Plymouth both teach 46 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Hospitality, Events & Tourism and Law. Bournemouth University offers 225 courses across 59 subject areas; University of Plymouth offers 310 courses across 78 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,690 a year at Bournemouth University and £19,200 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £1,490 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,690 a year at Bournemouth University and £19,500 at University of Plymouth, so the two cost about the same.

Of the 30 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Bournemouth University is higher in 20 and University of Plymouth in 9, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Film Production & Cinematography: £26,500 three years after graduating from Bournemouth University, against £18,500 from University of Plymouth. Of the 31 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Plymouth is higher in 22 and Bournemouth University in 7, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#801
QS World
#691
#401
THE World
#501
#59
Guardian UK
#56
1992
Established
1862
No
Russell Group
No
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 Plymouth

80.8%
86.6%

Satisfaction

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

£33,600
£30,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

86.4%
84.2%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16.4%
11.9%

International

International student share

225
310

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
10

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

Plymouth

71 countries · 11.9% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria14.6%
  • 🇨🇳China12.2%
  • 🇮🇳India11%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.7%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka3.3%

Subjects

46 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 Plymouth

Also taught at both: Media & Film Studies, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Nutrition & Dietetics, Software Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Politics & International Relations, Accounting, Children's Nursing, Economics, Finance & Actuarial Science, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Mental Health Nursing, Midwifery, Social Work, Creative Writing, Environmental Sciences, General Engineering, History, Human Geography & Environment, Biological Sciences (General), Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Medical Imaging, Nursing (General), Anthropology, Applied Psychology, Childhood & Youth Studies, Geography (General), Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Music, Social Sciences (General).

Only at Bournemouth University

Only at University of Plymouth

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 Plymouth
£19,200

University of Plymouth is about £1,490 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Bournemouth University
£19,690
University of Plymouth
£19,500

About the same.

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 Plymouth

  • Business & Management (General)

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    61%Satisfaction83%

  • Hospitality, Events & Tourism

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    78%Satisfaction83%

  • Law

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£21,500
    85%Satisfaction84%

  • Computer Science

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    73%Satisfaction72%

  • Marketing

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    80%Satisfaction90%

  • Psychology (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£21,500
    77%Satisfaction84%

  • Design & Fashion

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    80%Satisfaction77%

  • Film Production & Cinematography

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£18,500
    72%Satisfaction94%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    83%Satisfaction83%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    85%Satisfaction84%

  • Ecology & Conservation

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    91%Satisfaction94%

  • Adult Nursing

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    83%Satisfaction87%

Showing the 12 largest of 31 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Bournemouth University

View all scholarships →

University of Plymouth

GREAT Scholarships

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

International Undergraduate Welcome to Plymouth Scholarship

£6,000

Deadline: N/A

Tamar Engineering Project

£4,500

Deadline: Jun 2026

International Postgraduate Welcome to Plymouth Scholarship

£4,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Bournemouth University vs University of Plymouth: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,690 a year at Bournemouth University and £19,200 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £1,490 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,690 a year at Bournemouth University and £19,500 at University of Plymouth, so the two cost about the same. 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 Plymouth?

Both universities teach 46 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Law, Computer Science, Marketing, Psychology (General), Design & Fashion, Film Production & Cinematography, Sociology & Criminology, Biomedical Sciences, Ecology & Conservation, Management and 34 more.

Is Bournemouth University or University of Plymouth better for Business & Management (General)?

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £28,500 three years after graduating from Bournemouth University, and £24,000 from University of Plymouth. Student satisfaction with teaching is 61% at Bournemouth University and 83% at University of Plymouth. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Bournemouth University or University of Plymouth offer more courses?

University of Plymouth lists 310 courses on CourseOptions and Bournemouth University lists 225 courses.

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

Bournemouth University teaches 13 subject areas that University of Plymouth does not, including Applied Computing, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Journalism, Business Information Systems, Forensic Science, Applied Biology & Human Biology, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Health & Social Care and 5 more.

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

University of Plymouth teaches 32 subject areas that Bournemouth University does not, including Geology & Earth Sciences, Civil Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Physical Geography & Climate, Business Studies, Dentistry, Marine Engineering & Technology, English Studies and 24 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

B
Bournemouth University225 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Plymouth310 courses · 10 scholarshipsBrowse Courses