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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.

K
Keele University

Keele · QS World #801

U
University of Cambridge

Cambridge · QS World #6

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.

3/11

Keele

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

8/11

Cambridge

scored higher in 8 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Cambridge leads in 8 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary). Keele University is ahead on employment, courses, scholarship.

Keele University vs University of Cambridge at a glance

Keele University and University of Cambridge both teach 47 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Business & Management (General) and Law. Keele University offers 426 courses across 79 subject areas; University of Cambridge offers 336 courses across 79 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,200 a year at Keele University and £32,890 at University of Cambridge: Keele University is about £14,690 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,200 a year at Keele University and £41,300 at University of Cambridge: Keele University is about £23,100 a year cheaper.

Of the 12 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Cambridge is higher in 11 and Keele University in 1. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £26,500 three years after graduating from Keele University, against £63,500 from University of Cambridge. Of the 12 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Cambridge is higher in 9 and Keele University in 2, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#801
QS World
#6
#501
THE World
#3
#73
Guardian UK
#2
1949
Established
1209
No
Russell Group
Yes
Gold
TEF Rating
Gold

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Keele University

University of Cambridge

87.7%
92.1%

Satisfaction

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

£32,100
£49,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83.7%
76.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

8.5%
32.2%

International

International student share

426
336

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

1
0

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.

Keele

56 countries · 8.5% international

  • 🇮🇳India14.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria12.9%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan9.1%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong7.8%
  • 🇨🇳China4.7%
VS

Cambridge

96 countries · 32.2% international

  • 🇨🇳China28.2%
  • 🇺🇸United States10.3%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore6.6%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5.3%
  • 🇮🇳India4.7%

Subjects

47 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.

Keele University

University of Cambridge

Also taught at both: Philosophy, General Engineering, Management, Biochemistry, Biology, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Geography (General), Geology & Earth Sciences, Business Studies, Education Studies, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Human Geography & Environment, Music, Anatomy & Pathology, Animal Science, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Creative Writing, English Studies, Pharmacology, Software Engineering, Zoology & Animal Biology, Eastern European Languages, Health & Social Care, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Information Systems & Data Science, Medicine, Biotechnology, Social Policy & Public Policy, Technology & Logistics.

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

Keele University
£18,200
University of Cambridge
£32,890

Keele University is about £14,690 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Keele University
£18,200
University of Cambridge
£41,300

Keele University is about £23,100 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.

Keele University

University of Cambridge

  • Computer Science

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£63,500
    76%Satisfaction94%
  • Law

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£49,000
    83%Satisfaction96%
  • Psychology (General)

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    82%Satisfaction92%
  • History

    £22,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    92%Satisfaction95%
  • Mathematics

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£44,500
    87%Satisfaction94%
  • Economics

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£59,500
    83%Satisfaction86%
  • Politics & International Relations

    £22,000Salary (3 years)£34,000
    93%SatisfactionNo data
  • Philosophy

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    92%Satisfaction93%
  • Geography (General)

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    88%Satisfaction95%
  • Education Studies

    £22,500Salary (3 years)No data
    92%Satisfaction92%
  • Music

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    88%Satisfaction97%
  • English Studies

    £22,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    98%Satisfaction96%

Showing the 12 largest of 13 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Keele University

Postgraduate Global Scholarship (international) 2026

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

University of Cambridge

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Keele University vs University of Cambridge: common questions

Is Keele University or University of Cambridge cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,200 a year at Keele University and £32,890 at University of Cambridge: Keele University is about £14,690 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,200 a year at Keele University and £41,300 at University of Cambridge: Keele University is about £23,100 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 Keele University and University of Cambridge?

Both universities teach 47 subject areas: Computer Science, Business & Management (General), Law, Biomedical Sciences, Chemistry, Psychology (General), Sociology & Criminology, Childhood & Youth Studies, Media & Film Studies, History, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Mathematics and 35 more.

Is Keele University or University of Cambridge better for Computer Science?

Computer Science graduates earn a median £26,500 three years after graduating from Keele University, and £63,500 from University of Cambridge. Student satisfaction with teaching is 76% at Keele University and 94% at University of Cambridge. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Keele University or University of Cambridge offer more courses?

Keele University lists 426 courses on CourseOptions and University of Cambridge lists 336 courses.

What can you study at Keele University but not at University of Cambridge?

Keele University teaches 32 subject areas that University of Cambridge does not, including Forensic Science, Environmental Sciences, Pharmacy, Accounting, Applied Psychology, Ecology & Conservation, English Literature, Marketing and 24 more.

What can you study at University of Cambridge but not at Keele University?

University of Cambridge teaches 32 subject areas that Keele University does not, including Biological Sciences (General), Asian Languages & Studies, Archaeology, Architecture, Clinical Specialities, Genetics & Genomics, Theology & Religious Studies, Veterinary Medicine and 24 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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