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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

U
University of South Wales

Pontypridd · QS World #1201

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

South Wales

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). University of South Wales is ahead on employment, courses.

Durham University vs University of South Wales at a glance

Durham University and University of South Wales both teach 30 subject areas, the largest being Psychology (General), Law and Business & Management (General). Durham University offers 278 courses across 54 subject areas; University of South Wales offers 331 courses across 63 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,000 a year at Durham University and £16,200 at University of South Wales: University of South Wales is about £14,800 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,500 a year at Durham University and £17,900 at University of South Wales: University of South Wales is about £12,600 a year cheaper.

Of the 14 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Durham University is higher in 14 and University of South Wales in 0. The widest gap is in Finance & Actuarial Science: £42,000 three years after graduating from Durham University, against £19,000 from University of South Wales. Of the 14 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of South Wales is higher in 8 and Durham University in 6.

World & National Rankings

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

#85
QS World
#1201
#175
THE World
#1201
#6
Guardian UK
#83
1832
Established
1913
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

University of South Wales

90.7%
86.7%

Satisfaction

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

£43,800
£27,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

74.4%
84.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

32.6%
22%

International

International student share

278
331

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

102
23

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

South Wales

71 countries · 22% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria17.6%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh16.6%
  • 🇮🇳India16.1%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan15.7%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka6.6%

Subjects

30 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

University of South Wales

Also taught at both: Management, Biology, Civil Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Music, Childhood & Youth Studies, Forensic Science, History, Human Geography & Environment, Marketing, Mechanical Engineering, English Studies, Social Sciences (General), Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Social Policy & Public Policy.

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
University of South Wales
£16,200

University of South Wales is about £14,800 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Durham University
£30,500
University of South Wales
£17,900

University of South Wales is about £12,600 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

University of South Wales

  • Psychology (General)

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£19,500
    91%Satisfaction90%
  • Law

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    90%Satisfaction96%
  • Computer Science

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£19,500
    87%Satisfaction90%
  • Business Studies

    £41,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
    83%Satisfaction91%
  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    92%Satisfaction87%
  • Accounting

    £44,000Salary (3 years)£21,500
    89%Satisfaction90%
  • Teacher Training

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    78%Satisfaction97%
  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £42,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
    89%Satisfaction90%
  • Sociology & Criminology

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£20,500
    89%Satisfaction83%
  • Chemistry

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    96%Satisfaction84%
  • Education Studies

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£18,500
    86%Satisfaction92%
  • Biology

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£20,500
    93%Satisfaction91%

Showing the 12 largest of 14 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 →

University of South Wales

USW Postgraduate Refugee Sanctuary Scheme

100%

Deadline: N/A

USW Postgraduate Sanctuary Scholarship 2026/2027

100%

Deadline: Jul 2026

USW Postgraduate Sanctuary Scholarship 2027/2028

100%

Deadline: Jul 2027

USW Refugee Sanctuary Scheme

100%

Deadline: N/A

Undergraduate Sanctuary Scholarship 2026/2027

100%

Deadline: Jul 2026

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Durham University vs University of South Wales: common questions

Is Durham University or University of South Wales cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,000 a year at Durham University and £16,200 at University of South Wales: University of South Wales is about £14,800 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,500 a year at Durham University and £17,900 at University of South Wales: University of South Wales is about £12,600 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 University of South Wales?

Both universities teach 30 subject areas: Psychology (General), Law, Business & Management (General), Computer Science, Business Studies, Sport & Exercise Sciences, General Engineering, Accounting, Politics & International Relations, Teacher Training, Finance & Actuarial Science, Sociology & Criminology and 18 more.

Is Durham University or University of South Wales better for Psychology (General)?

Psychology (General) graduates earn a median £29,000 three years after graduating from Durham University, and £19,500 from University of South Wales. Student satisfaction with teaching is 91% at Durham University and 90% at University of South Wales. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Durham University or University of South Wales offer more courses?

University of South Wales lists 331 courses on CourseOptions and Durham University lists 278 courses.

What can you study at Durham University but not at University of South Wales?

Durham University teaches 24 subject areas that University of South Wales does not, including Economics, Theology & Religious Studies, Archaeology, Anthropology, Classical Studies, Geology & Earth Sciences, Mathematics, Natural Sciences and 16 more.

What can you study at University of South Wales but not at Durham University?

University of South Wales teaches 33 subject areas that Durham University does not, including Healthcare Science, Aerospace Engineering, Nursing (General), Building & Construction, Design & Fashion, Film Production & Cinematography, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Software Engineering and 25 more.

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