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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 the West of Scotland

Paisley · Guardian UK #115

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 9 datapoints

We looked at 9 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

6/9

Keele

scored higher in 6 categories

VS

3/9

West of Scotland

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

Keele University leads in 6 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, employment, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of the West of Scotland is ahead on established, satisfaction, international.

Keele University vs University of the West of Scotland at a glance

Keele University and University of the West of Scotland both teach 40 subject areas, the largest being Chemistry, Business & Management (General) and Media & Film Studies. Keele University offers 426 courses across 79 subject areas; University of the West of Scotland offers 119 courses across 49 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,200 a year at Keele University and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £2,700 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,200 a year at Keele University and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £1,920 a year cheaper.

Of the 19 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Keele University is higher in 13 and University of the West of Scotland in 4, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Applied Computing: £26,500 three years after graduating from Keele University, against £22,000 from University of the West of Scotland. Of the 17 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of the West of Scotland is higher in 10 and Keele University in 7.

World & National Rankings

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

#801
QS World
—
#501
THE World
#601
#73
Guardian UK
#115
1949
Established
1897
No
Russell Group
No
Gold
TEF Rating
—

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Keele University

University of the West of Scotland

87.7%
89%

Satisfaction

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

£32,100
£31,134.9

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83.7%
81.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

8.5%
30.3%

International

International student share

426
119

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

West of Scotland

33 countries · 30.3% international

  • 🇵🇰Pakistan36.2%
  • 🌐Nepal20.4%
  • 🇮🇳India19.3%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria7.4%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh5.3%

Subjects

40 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 the West of Scotland

Also taught at both: Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Politics & International Relations, Business Information Systems, Mathematics, Education Studies, General Engineering, Marketing, Music, Public Health & Epidemiology, Social Sciences (General), Social Work, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Zoology & Animal Biology, Biology, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Health & Social Care, Mechanical Engineering, Adult Nursing, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Mental Health Nursing, Community & Specialist Nursing, Human Geography & Environment, Midwifery, Cultural Studies, Technology & Logistics.

Only at Keele University

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

Keele University
£18,200
University of the West of Scotland
£15,500

University of the West of Scotland is about £2,700 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Keele University
£18,200
University of the West of Scotland
£16,280

University of the West of Scotland is about £1,920 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 the West of Scotland

  • Chemistry

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    96%Satisfaction95%

  • Law

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    83%SatisfactionNo data

  • Business Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    85%Satisfaction75%

  • Forensic Science

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    97%Satisfaction95%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    86%SatisfactionNo data

  • Physics

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    96%Satisfaction95%

  • Accounting

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    84%Satisfaction86%

  • Applied Computing

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£22,000
    76%Satisfaction90%

  • Health Sciences & Paramedic Science

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    83%Satisfaction99%

  • Education Studies

    £22,500Salary (3 years)No data
    92%Satisfaction96%

  • Music

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£18,500
    88%Satisfaction90%

  • Social Sciences (General)

    £22,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    87%Satisfaction95%

Showing the 12 largest of 20 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 the West of Scotland

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Keele University vs University of the West of Scotland: common questions

Is Keele University or University of the West of Scotland cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,200 a year at Keele University and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £2,700 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,200 a year at Keele University and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £1,920 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 the West of Scotland?

Both universities teach 40 subject areas: Chemistry, Business & Management (General), Media & Film Studies, Psychology (General), Law, Business Studies, Biomedical Sciences, Forensic Science, Sociology & Criminology, Childhood & Youth Studies, Physics, Environmental Sciences and 28 more.

Is Keele University or University of the West of Scotland better for Chemistry?

Chemistry graduates earn a median £24,500 three years after graduating from Keele University, and £23,000 from University of the West of Scotland. Student satisfaction with teaching is 96% at Keele University and 95% at University of the West of Scotland. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Keele University or University of the West of Scotland offer more courses?

Keele University lists 426 courses on CourseOptions and University of the West of Scotland lists 119 courses.

What can you study at Keele University but not at University of the West of Scotland?

Keele University teaches 39 subject areas that University of the West of Scotland does not, including Computer Science, Pharmacy, Biochemistry, Civil Engineering, Economics, Geology & Earth Sciences, Geography (General), Philosophy and 31 more.

What can you study at University of the West of Scotland but not at Keele University?

University of the West of Scotland teaches 9 subject areas that Keele University does not, including Teacher Training, Computing & IT, Aerospace Engineering, Design & Fashion, Journalism, Creative Arts (General), English Language, Healthcare Science and 1 more.

Ready to explore courses?

Browse available courses, check entry requirements, and find scholarships at each university.

K
Keele University426 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses
U
University of the West of Scotland119 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses