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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.

D
Durham University

Durham · QS World #85

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SOAS University of London

London · QS World #458

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 10 datapoints

We looked at 10 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

9/10

Durham

scored higher in 9 categories

VS

1/10

SOAS University of London

scored higher in 1 category

Quick Verdict

Durham University leads in 9 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, scholarship). SOAS University of London is ahead on courses.

Durham University vs SOAS University of London at a glance

Durham University and SOAS University of London both teach 21 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Asian Languages & Studies and Anthropology. Durham University offers 278 courses across 54 subject areas; SOAS University of London offers 296 courses across 29 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,000 a year at Durham University and £23,780 at SOAS University of London: SOAS University of London is about £7,220 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,500 a year at Durham University and £25,320 at SOAS University of London: SOAS University of London is about £5,180 a year cheaper.

Of the 9 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Durham University is higher in 9 and SOAS University of London in 0. The widest gap is in Accounting: £44,000 three years after graduating from Durham University, against £27,500 from SOAS University of London. Of the 11 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Durham University is higher in 7 and SOAS University of London in 2, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#85
QS World
#458
#175
THE World
#401
#6
Guardian UK
#86
1832
Established
1916
Yes
Russell Group
No
Silver
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Durham University

SOAS University of London

90.7%
84.1%

Satisfaction

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

£43,800
£32,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

74.4%
74.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

32.6%
25.7%

International

International student share

278
296

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

102
27

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.

Durham

86 countries · 32.6% international

  • 🇨🇳China49.5%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong7.4%
  • 🇮🇳India5.9%
  • 🇺🇸United States4.9%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore2.6%
VS

SOAS University of London

67 countries · 25.7% international

  • 🇨🇳China10.9%
  • 🇮🇳India10.6%
  • 🇺🇸United States9.4%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan7.6%
  • 🇫🇷France3.6%

Subjects

21 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.

Durham University

SOAS University of London

Also taught at both: Philosophy, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Social Sciences (General), Liberal Arts, Social Policy & Public Policy.

Only at Durham University

Only at SOAS University of London

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

Durham University
£31,000
SOAS University of London
£23,780

SOAS University of London is about £7,220 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Durham University
£30,500
SOAS University of London
£25,320

SOAS University of London is about £5,180 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.

Durham University

SOAS University of London

  • Politics & International Relations

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    88%Satisfaction90%

  • Asian Languages & Studies

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    73%Satisfaction86%

  • Anthropology

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    96%Satisfaction94%

  • Ancient Languages

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    92%Satisfaction92%

  • Law

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    90%Satisfaction77%

  • Economics

    £42,000Salary (3 years)£35,000
    90%Satisfaction83%

  • History

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    94%Satisfaction89%

  • Accounting

    £44,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    89%Satisfaction88%

  • Music

    £23,500Salary (3 years)No data
    97%Satisfaction87%

  • Philosophy

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    88%Satisfaction89%

  • Liberal Arts

    No dataSalary (3 years)No data
    92%Satisfaction85%

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Durham University

Sir Harry Evans Global Fellowship

£53,333

Deadline: N/A

Durham Inspiring Excellence Scholarships - Undergraduate

£30,000

Deadline: N/A

The Global DBA Scholarships

£25,000

Deadline: Nov 2026

The Mary Ward Postgraduate Scholarship Fund

£25,000

Deadline: N/A

Global Grand Challenges Studentships

£20,780

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

SOAS University of London

SOAS International Academic Excellence Scholarship

£20,000

Deadline: May 2026

SOAS Sustainable Development Goal Scholarship

£15,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

Commonwealth Shared Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Programme

100%

Deadline: N/A

SOAS Academic Excellence Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: May 2026

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Durham University vs SOAS University of London: common questions

Is Durham University or SOAS University of London cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,000 a year at Durham University and £23,780 at SOAS University of London: SOAS University of London is about £7,220 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,500 a year at Durham University and £25,320 at SOAS University of London: SOAS University of London is about £5,180 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 Durham University and SOAS University of London?

Both universities teach 21 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Asian Languages & Studies, Anthropology, Ancient Languages, Law, Economics, Theology & Religious Studies, Archaeology, History, Sociology & Criminology, Accounting, Finance & Actuarial Science and 9 more.

Is Durham University or SOAS University of London better for Politics & International Relations?

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £34,000 three years after graduating from Durham University, and £31,000 from SOAS University of London. Student satisfaction with teaching is 88% at Durham University and 90% at SOAS University of London. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Durham University or SOAS University of London offer more courses?

SOAS University of London lists 296 courses on CourseOptions and Durham University lists 278 courses.

What can you study at Durham University but not at SOAS University of London?

Durham University teaches 33 subject areas that SOAS University of London does not, including Computer Science, General Engineering, Psychology (General), Business Studies, Chemistry, Classical Studies, Geology & Earth Sciences, Mathematics and 25 more.

What can you study at SOAS University of London but not at Durham University?

SOAS University of London teaches 8 subject areas that Durham University does not, including Media & Film Studies, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Creative Arts (General), History of Art & Design, International Development, Linguistics, Cultural Studies and Biological Sciences (General).

Ready to explore courses?

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

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Durham University278 courses · 102 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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SOAS University of London296 courses · 27 scholarshipsBrowse Courses