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.
Edinburgh · QS World #801
St Andrews · QS World #115
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.
1/10
Edinburgh Napier
scored higher in 1 category
9/10
St Andrews
scored higher in 9 categories
Quick Verdict
University of St Andrews leads in 9 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Edinburgh Napier University is ahead on employment.
Edinburgh Napier University vs University of St Andrews at a glance
Edinburgh Napier University and University of St Andrews both teach 20 subject areas, the largest being English Studies, Computer Science and Media & Film Studies. Edinburgh Napier University offers 199 courses across 53 subject areas; University of St Andrews offers 1,157 courses across 64 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,310 a year at Edinburgh Napier University and £30,160 at University of St Andrews: Edinburgh Napier University is about £9,850 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,540 a year at Edinburgh Napier University and £27,200 at University of St Andrews: Edinburgh Napier University is about £6,660 a year cheaper.
Of the 9 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of St Andrews is higher in 8 and Edinburgh Napier University in 1. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £25,500 three years after graduating from Edinburgh Napier University, against £51,500 from University of St Andrews. Of the 8 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of St Andrews is higher in 5 and Edinburgh Napier University in 3.
World & National Rankings
Compare world and national league table positions, TEF ratings, and Russell Group membership.
Visual Breakdown
Key metrics at a glance
Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.
Edinburgh Napier University
University of St Andrews
Satisfaction
Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)
Graduate Salaries (5y)
Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation
Employment
Graduate employment rate
International
International student share
Course Counts
Number of courses offered
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.
Edinburgh Napier
70 countries · 27.5% international
- 🇮🇳India30.9%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan14.5%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria13.2%
- 🇺🇸United States5.3%
- 🇩🇪Germany4.2%
St Andrews
89 countries · 46.1% international
- 🇺🇸United States42.3%
- 🇨🇳China9%
- 🇩🇪Germany4%
- 🇮🇳India4%
- 🇭🇰Hong Kong3.2%
Subjects
20 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.
Edinburgh Napier University
University of St Andrews
English Studies
2 coursesTypical fee £18,220 (UG)
29 coursesTypical fee £30,160 (UG)
Computer Science
13 coursesTypical fee £21,120 (UG)
17 coursesTypical fee £30,160 (UG)
Media & Film Studies
3 coursesTypical fee £18,220 (UG)
25 coursesTypical fee £30,160 (UG)
Management
13 coursesTypical fee £18,220 (UG)
13 coursesTypical fee £30,160 (UG)
Teacher Training
5 coursesFee not available
15 coursesFee not available
Business & Management (General)
14 coursesFee not available
3 coursesTypical fee £30,160 (UG)
Psychology (General)
3 coursesTypical fee £18,220 (UG)
12 coursesTypical fee £30,160 (UG)
Business Studies
10 coursesFee not available
1 courseTypical fee £31,450 (PG)
Marketing
10 coursesTypical fee £18,220 (UG)
1 courseTypical fee £31,450 (PG)
Finance & Actuarial Science
Creative Writing
Ecology & Conservation
Law
Microbiology & Cell Biology
Biomedical Sciences
Also taught at both: Sociology & Criminology, Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Computing & IT, Personal & Professional Development.
Only at Edinburgh Napier 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
- Edinburgh Napier University
- £20,310
- University of St Andrews
- £30,160
Edinburgh Napier University is about £9,850 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Edinburgh Napier University
- £20,540
- University of St Andrews
- £27,200
Edinburgh Napier University is about £6,660 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.
Edinburgh Napier University
University of St Andrews
English Studies
£21,000Salary (3 years)£26,00094%Satisfaction92%Computer Science
£25,500Salary (3 years)£51,50084%Satisfaction93%Media & Film Studies
£18,500Salary (3 years)No data83%Satisfaction95%Management
£25,000Salary (3 years)£37,50076%SatisfactionNo dataBusiness & Management (General)
£36,000Salary (3 years)£37,50079%Satisfaction84%Psychology (General)
£21,000Salary (3 years)£25,50088%Satisfaction89%Ecology & Conservation
£22,500Salary (3 years)£25,00097%Satisfaction100%Microbiology & Cell Biology
£22,500Salary (3 years)£25,00098%Satisfaction96%Biomedical Sciences
£28,500Salary (3 years)£27,50095%Satisfaction81%Sociology & Criminology
£23,000Salary (3 years)£34,00079%SatisfactionNo data
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveEdinburgh Napier University
OAS Craiglockhart Scholarship
£30,000
Deadline: N/A
WSP and Dodyk Scholarship
£16,875
Deadline: N/A
Hong Kong Scholarship Trust
£16,000
Deadline: Apr 2027
Carnegie Masters Grant
£10,000
Deadline: Jul 2026
Data and AI Scholarships with The Data Lab
100%
Deadline: N/A
University of St Andrews
Applied Environmental Sciences MSc Awards - Women in Mining (WIM) UK
100%
Deadline: Jun 2026
Environmental Science MSc Awards - The Cunningham Scholarship UK
100%
Deadline: Jun 2026
Masters funding in Digital Health and Care
£10,000
Deadline: Jun 2026
School of Modern Languages Masters Scholarship
100%
Deadline: May 2026
University of Jordan Postgraduate Scholarships
100%
Deadline: N/A
FAQ
Edinburgh Napier University vs University of St Andrews: common questions
Is Edinburgh Napier University or University of St Andrews cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,310 a year at Edinburgh Napier University and £30,160 at University of St Andrews: Edinburgh Napier University is about £9,850 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,540 a year at Edinburgh Napier University and £27,200 at University of St Andrews: Edinburgh Napier University is about £6,660 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 Edinburgh Napier University and University of St Andrews?
Both universities teach 20 subject areas: English Studies, Computer Science, Media & Film Studies, Management, Teacher Training, Business & Management (General), Psychology (General), Business Studies, Marketing, Finance & Actuarial Science, Creative Writing, Ecology & Conservation and 8 more.
Is Edinburgh Napier University or University of St Andrews better for English Studies?
English Studies graduates earn a median £21,000 three years after graduating from Edinburgh Napier University, and £26,000 from University of St Andrews. Student satisfaction with teaching is 94% at Edinburgh Napier University and 92% at University of St Andrews. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Edinburgh Napier University or University of St Andrews offer more courses?
University of St Andrews lists 1,157 courses on CourseOptions and Edinburgh Napier University lists 199 courses.
What can you study at Edinburgh Napier University but not at University of St Andrews?
Edinburgh Napier University teaches 33 subject areas that University of St Andrews does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Design & Fashion, Film Production & Cinematography, Building & Construction, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Accounting, Sport & Exercise Sciences and 25 more.
What can you study at University of St Andrews but not at Edinburgh Napier University?
University of St Andrews teaches 44 subject areas that Edinburgh Napier University does not, including African & Middle Eastern Studies, French, German & Scandinavian Studies, Italian, History, Ancient Languages, Classical Studies, Economics and 36 more.
Ready to explore courses?
Browse available courses, check entry requirements, and find scholarships at each university.