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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

S
Swansea University

Swansea · QS World #322

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.

9/11

Durham

scored higher in 9 categories

VS

2/11

Swansea

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

Durham University leads in 9 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, scholarship). Swansea University is ahead on employment, courses.

Durham University vs Swansea University at a glance

Durham University and Swansea University both teach 46 subject areas, the largest being Law, Computer Science and Politics & International Relations. Durham University offers 278 courses across 54 subject areas; Swansea University offers 916 courses across 97 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,000 a year at Durham University and £21,550 at Swansea University: Swansea University is about £9,450 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,500 a year at Durham University and £22,950 at Swansea University: Swansea University is about £7,550 a year cheaper.

Of the 24 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Durham University is higher in 24 and Swansea University in 0. The widest gap is in Accounting: £44,000 three years after graduating from Durham University, against £25,000 from Swansea University. Of the 26 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Durham University is higher in 13 and Swansea University in 12, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#85
QS World
#322
#175
THE World
#301
#6
Guardian UK
#32
1832
Established
1920
Yes
Russell Group
No
Silver
TEF Rating
—

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Durham University

Swansea University

90.7%
86.1%

Satisfaction

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

£43,800
£31,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

74.4%
78.5%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

32.6%
14.1%

International

International student share

278
916

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

102
5

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

Swansea

73 countries · 14.1% international

  • 🇮🇳India25.4%
  • 🇨🇳China12.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria8.2%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia4.5%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong3.9%

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.

Durham University

Swansea University

Also taught at both: Education Studies, Archaeology, Civil Engineering, Classical Studies, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Accounting, Chemistry, Biology, Human Geography & Environment, Philosophy, Biochemistry, English Literature, Theology & Religious Studies, Childhood & Youth Studies, Mechanical Engineering, English Studies, Geology & Earth Sciences, Physical Geography & Climate, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, Social Policy & Public Policy, English Language, Management, Marketing, Biotechnology, Combined & General Studies, Humanities, Clinical Specialities, Social Sciences (General), Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Manufacturing & Production Engineering.

Only at Durham University

Only at Swansea 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

Durham University
£31,000
Swansea University
£21,550

Swansea University is about £9,450 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Durham University
£30,500
Swansea University
£22,950

Swansea University is about £7,550 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

Swansea University

  • Law

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    90%Satisfaction82%

  • Computer Science

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£31,500
    87%Satisfaction84%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    88%Satisfaction90%

  • Economics

    £42,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    90%Satisfaction90%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    89%Satisfaction87%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £42,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    89%Satisfaction90%

  • Mathematics

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    89%Satisfaction86%

  • Business Studies

    £41,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    83%Satisfaction82%

  • History

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£21,500
    94%Satisfaction90%

  • General Engineering

    £35,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
    86%Satisfaction85%

  • Physics

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    90%Satisfaction91%

  • Psychology (General)

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£21,500
    91%Satisfaction84%

Showing the 12 largest of 26 shared subjects with published outcomes.

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 →

Swansea University

History and Heritage Studies: AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership Studentship (Fully Funded) in History with Museum Wales (RS950)

100%

Deadline: N/A

History: AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership Studentship (Fully Funded) in History with The National Archives (RS948)

100%

Deadline: N/A

History: AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership Studentship in History with Museum Wales (RS949)

See details

Deadline: N/A

PhD Studentship in Sustainable Fusion Steels: Whole Lifecycle Design of Tokamak Vacuum Vessel Steels (RS964)

See details

Deadline: N/A

Swansea University International Postgraduate Research Excellence Scholarships 2025/26

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Durham University vs Swansea University: common questions

Is Durham University or Swansea University cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,000 a year at Durham University and £21,550 at Swansea University: Swansea University is about £9,450 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,500 a year at Durham University and £22,950 at Swansea University: Swansea University is about £7,550 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 Swansea University?

Both universities teach 46 subject areas: Law, Computer Science, Politics & International Relations, Economics, Sociology & Criminology, Business & Management (General), Finance & Actuarial Science, Mathematics, Business Studies, History, General Engineering, Physics and 34 more.

Is Durham University or Swansea University better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £36,000 three years after graduating from Durham University, and £21,000 from Swansea University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 90% at Durham University and 82% at Swansea University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Durham University or Swansea University offer more courses?

Swansea University lists 916 courses on CourseOptions and Durham University lists 278 courses.

What can you study at Durham University but not at Swansea University?

Durham University teaches 8 subject areas that Swansea University does not, including Anthropology, Natural Sciences, Ancient Languages, Asian Languages & Studies, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Music, Forensic Science and Liberal Arts.

What can you study at Swansea University but not at Durham University?

Swansea University teaches 51 subject areas that Durham University does not, including Genetics & Genomics, Biomedical Sciences, Media & Film Studies, American & Comparative Studies, Chemical Engineering, Medical Sciences, Aerospace Engineering, Health & Social Care and 43 more.

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
S
Swansea University916 courses · 5 scholarshipsBrowse Courses