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.
Glasgow
Paisley · Guardian UK #115
Head-to-Head Summary
Based on 7 datapoints
We looked at 7 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.
3/7
Glasgow School of Art
scored higher in 3 categories
4/7
West of Scotland
scored higher in 4 categories
Quick Verdict
University of the West of Scotland leads in 4 of 7 categories where both have data (satisfaction, employment, graduate salary, courses). Glasgow School of Art is ahead on established, international, scholarship.
Glasgow School of Art vs University of the West of Scotland at a glance
Glasgow School of Art and University of the West of Scotland both teach 5 subject areas, the largest being Design & Fashion, Applied Computing and Computing & IT. Glasgow School of Art offers 40 courses across 12 subject areas; University of the West of Scotland offers 119 courses across 49 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,350 a year at Glasgow School of Art and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £8,850 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,900 a year at Glasgow School of Art and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £9,620 a year cheaper.
Of the 2 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Glasgow School of Art is higher in 2 and University of the West of Scotland in 0. The widest gap is in Design & Fashion: £21,500 three years after graduating from Glasgow School of Art, against £17,500 from University of the West of Scotland. Of the 2 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of the West of Scotland is higher in 1 and Glasgow School of Art in 0, with 1 about level.
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.
Glasgow School of Art
University of the West of Scotland
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.
Glasgow School of Art
33 countries · 36.6% international
- 🇨🇳China64.4%
- 🇺🇸United States5.3%
- 🇮🇳India3.8%
- 🌐Korea (South)2.9%
- 🇫🇷France1.4%
West of Scotland
33 countries · 30.3% international
- 🇵🇰Pakistan36.2%
- 🌐Nepal20.4%
- 🇮🇳India19.3%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria7.4%
- 🇧🇩Bangladesh5.3%
Subjects
5 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.
Glasgow School of Art
University of the West of Scotland
Design & Fashion
15 coursesTypical fee £24,350 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £15,500 (UG)
Applied Computing
Computing & IT
General Engineering
Creative Arts (General)
Only at Glasgow School of Art
Only at University of the West of Scotland
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
- Glasgow School of Art
- £24,350
- University of the West of Scotland
- £15,500
University of the West of Scotland is about £8,850 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Glasgow School of Art
- £25,900
- University of the West of Scotland
- £16,280
University of the West of Scotland is about £9,620 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.
Glasgow School of Art
University of the West of Scotland
Design & Fashion
£21,500Salary (3 years)£17,50083%Satisfaction91%Applied Computing
No dataSalary (3 years)£22,00090%Satisfaction90%Creative Arts (General)
£19,000Salary (3 years)£16,000No dataSatisfaction91%
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveGlasgow School of Art
GSA Financial Support Scholarships 2026/27
See details
Deadline: May 2026
GSA International Merit Scholarships 2026/27
See details
Deadline: May 2026
International Foundation Scholarships 2026-27
See details
Deadline: May 2026
Mackintosh School of Architecture Scholarships 2026-27
See details
Deadline: May 2026
School of Design Scholarships 2026-27
See details
Deadline: May 2026
University of the West of Scotland
View all scholarships →FAQ
Glasgow School of Art vs University of the West of Scotland: common questions
Is Glasgow School of Art or University of the West of Scotland cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,350 a year at Glasgow School of Art and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £8,850 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,900 a year at Glasgow School of Art and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £9,620 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 Glasgow School of Art and University of the West of Scotland?
Both universities teach 5 subject areas: Design & Fashion, Applied Computing, Computing & IT, General Engineering and Creative Arts (General).
Is Glasgow School of Art or University of the West of Scotland better for Design & Fashion?
Design & Fashion graduates earn a median £21,500 three years after graduating from Glasgow School of Art, and £17,500 from University of the West of Scotland. Student satisfaction with teaching is 83% at Glasgow School of Art and 91% at University of the West of Scotland. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Glasgow School of Art or University of the West of Scotland offer more courses?
University of the West of Scotland lists 119 courses on CourseOptions and Glasgow School of Art lists 40 courses.
What can you study at Glasgow School of Art but not at University of the West of Scotland?
Glasgow School of Art teaches 7 subject areas that University of the West of Scotland does not, including Architecture, Fine Art, Film Production & Cinematography, Crafts & Applied Arts, History of Art & Design, Anatomy & Pathology and Games Design & Computer Animation.
What can you study at University of the West of Scotland but not at Glasgow School of Art?
University of the West of Scotland teaches 44 subject areas that Glasgow School of Art does not, including Business Studies, Teacher Training, Business Information Systems, Chemistry, Applied Psychology, Accounting, Childhood & Youth Studies, Physics and 36 more.
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