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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
Kingston University

London · QS World #686

O
Open University

None · THE World #801

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 6 datapoints

We looked at 6 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

5/6

Kingston

scored higher in 5 categories

VS

1/6

Open

scored higher in 1 category

Quick Verdict

Kingston University leads in 5 of 6 categories where both have data (established, employment, international, graduate salary, courses). Open University is ahead on satisfaction.

Kingston University vs Open University at a glance

Kingston University and Open University both teach 39 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Computer Science and Law. Kingston University offers 390 courses across 67 subject areas; Open University offers 337 courses across 68 subject areas.

Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Open University is higher in 13 and Kingston University in 7, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Information Systems & Data Science: £28,000 three years after graduating from Kingston University, against £38,000 from Open University. Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Open University is higher in 13 and Kingston University in 6, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#686
QS World
—
#801
THE World
#801
#67
Guardian UK
—
1899
Established
1969
No
Russell Group
No
Gold
TEF Rating
Gold

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Kingston University

Open University

85.4%
89.8%

Satisfaction

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

£31,900
£29,900

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

78.9%
72.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

21.9%
0.2%

International

International student share

390
337

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
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.

Kingston

91 countries · 21.9% international

  • 🇮🇳India24.1%
  • 🇨🇳China23.8%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria3.5%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan3.2%
  • 🇺🇸United States3.2%
VS

Open

25 countries · 0.2% international

  • 🇩🇪Germany8.9%
  • 🌐Cyprus (European Union)6.7%
  • 🇫🇷France6.7%
  • 🇨🇳China4.4%
  • 🇮🇳India4.4%

Subjects

39 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.

Kingston University

Open University

Also taught at both: Sport & Exercise Sciences, Computing & IT, Biomedical Sciences, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Music, Accounting, Creative Writing, Human Geography & Environment, Finance & Actuarial Science, Geology & Earth Sciences, Information Systems & Data Science, Teacher Training, Adult Nursing, Children's Nursing, Geography (General), Health & Social Care, Mental Health Nursing, Nursing (General), Software Engineering, Human Resource Management, Learning Disabilities Nursing, Management, Personal & Professional Development, Information & Library Studies.

Only at Kingston University

Only at Open 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

Kingston University
£18,500
Open University
No data

We do not have reliable international fee data for Open University yet.

Postgraduate

Kingston University
£18,900
Open University
No data

We do not have reliable international fee data for Open University yet.

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.

Kingston University

Open University

  • Business & Management (General)

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    81%Satisfaction95%

  • Computer Science

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    83%Satisfaction91%

  • Law

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    92%Satisfaction96%

  • Design & Fashion

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    89%Satisfaction84%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£17,000
    81%Satisfaction89%

  • Psychology (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    80%Satisfaction88%

  • Education Studies

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£20,000
    90%Satisfaction89%

  • Chemistry

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    81%Satisfaction93%

  • Economics

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    78%Satisfaction89%

  • Social Work

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    93%Satisfaction93%

  • Environmental Sciences

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    89%Satisfaction85%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    87%Satisfaction92%

Showing the 12 largest of 22 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Kingston University

View all scholarships →

Open University

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Kingston University vs Open University: common questions

What subjects can you study at both Kingston University and Open University?

Both universities teach 39 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Computer Science, Law, Design & Fashion, Sociology & Criminology, Psychology (General), Childhood & Youth Studies, Education Studies, Chemistry, Economics, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Social Work and 27 more.

Is Kingston University or Open University better for Business & Management (General)?

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £25,500 three years after graduating from Kingston University, and £32,000 from Open University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 81% at Kingston University and 95% at Open University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Kingston University or Open University offer more courses?

Kingston University lists 390 courses on CourseOptions and Open University lists 337 courses.

What can you study at Kingston University but not at Open University?

Kingston University teaches 28 subject areas that Open University does not, including Aerospace Engineering, Building & Construction, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Midwifery, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Business Studies, Architecture and 20 more.

What can you study at Open University but not at Kingston University?

Open University teaches 29 subject areas that Kingston University does not, including History, Humanities, Mathematics, English Language, Physics, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Combined & General Studies, Philosophy and 21 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

K
Kingston University390 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
O
Open University337 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses