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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

U
University of Leeds

Leeds · QS World #77

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 12 datapoints

We looked at 12 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

2/12

Kingston

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

10/12

Leeds

scored higher in 10 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Leeds leads in 10 of 12 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Kingston University is ahead on TEF, established.

Kingston University vs University of Leeds at a glance

Kingston University and University of Leeds both teach 53 subject areas, the largest being Civil Engineering, Business & Management (General) and Design & Fashion. Kingston University offers 390 courses across 67 subject areas; University of Leeds offers 579 courses across 110 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Kingston University and £33,700 at University of Leeds: Kingston University is about £15,200 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,900 a year at Kingston University and £31,500 at University of Leeds: Kingston University is about £12,600 a year cheaper.

Of the 33 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Leeds is higher in 18 and Kingston University in 12, with 3 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £24,500 three years after graduating from Kingston University, against £42,000 from University of Leeds. Of the 34 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Kingston University is higher in 20 and University of Leeds in 14.

World & National Rankings

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

#686
QS World
#77
#801
THE World
#118
#67
Guardian UK
#15
1899
Established
1904
No
Russell Group
Yes
Gold
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Kingston University

University of Leeds

85.4%
85.7%

Satisfaction

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

£31,900
£37,200

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

78.9%
82.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

21.9%
31.5%

International

International student share

390
579

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
13

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

Leeds

105 countries · 31.5% international

  • 🇨🇳China49.5%
  • 🇮🇳India9.6%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.9%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.4%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.8%

Subjects

53 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

University of Leeds

Also taught at both: Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Childhood & Youth Studies, Geology & Earth Sciences, Management, Psychology (General), Applied Psychology, Marketing, Personal & Professional Development, Biomedical Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biological Sciences (General), Human Geography & Environment, Midwifery, Drama & Theatre, Information Systems & Data Science, Nutrition & Dietetics, Architecture, Creative Writing, Film Production & Cinematography, Finance & Actuarial Science, Chemical Engineering, Pharmacy, Social Work, Teacher Training, Adult Nursing, Biochemistry, Children's Nursing, Fine Art, Human Resource Management, Mental Health Nursing, Pharmacology, Health & Social Care, Information & Library Studies, General Engineering, Journalism, Software Engineering.

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
University of Leeds
£33,700

Kingston University is about £15,200 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Kingston University
£18,900
University of Leeds
£31,500

Kingston University is about £12,600 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.

Kingston University

University of Leeds

  • Civil Engineering

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    94%Satisfaction89%
  • Design & Fashion

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    89%Satisfaction87%
  • Chemistry

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    81%Satisfaction85%
  • Aerospace Engineering

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    86%Satisfaction82%
  • Business Studies

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£36,000
    71%Satisfaction84%
  • Law

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    92%Satisfaction87%
  • Computer Science

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£42,000
    83%Satisfaction79%
  • Economics

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£36,000
    78%Satisfaction88%
  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    90%Satisfaction92%
  • Sociology & Criminology

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    81%Satisfaction82%
  • Media & Film Studies

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    76%Satisfaction90%
  • Music

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£21,500
    98%Satisfaction87%

Showing the 12 largest of 34 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Kingston University

View all scholarships →

University of Leeds

Gazan Humanitarian Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Gazan Humanitarian Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Global Community Bursary

£10,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

Sanctuary Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Kingston University vs University of Leeds: common questions

Is Kingston University or University of Leeds cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Kingston University and £33,700 at University of Leeds: Kingston University is about £15,200 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,900 a year at Kingston University and £31,500 at University of Leeds: Kingston University is about £12,600 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 Kingston University and University of Leeds?

Both universities teach 53 subject areas: Civil Engineering, Business & Management (General), Design & Fashion, Chemistry, Aerospace Engineering, Business Studies, Law, Computer Science, Economics, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Sociology & Criminology, Media & Film Studies and 41 more.

Is Kingston University or University of Leeds better for Civil Engineering?

Civil Engineering graduates earn a median £26,500 three years after graduating from Kingston University, and £31,000 from University of Leeds. Student satisfaction with teaching is 94% at Kingston University and 89% at University of Leeds. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Kingston University or University of Leeds offer more courses?

University of Leeds lists 579 courses on CourseOptions and Kingston University lists 390 courses.

What can you study at Kingston University but not at University of Leeds?

Kingston University teaches 14 subject areas that University of Leeds does not, including Building & Construction, Games Design & Computer Animation, Creative Arts (General), Forensic Science, Accounting, Computing & IT, Geography (General), Learning Disabilities Nursing and 6 more.

What can you study at University of Leeds but not at Kingston University?

University of Leeds teaches 57 subject areas that Kingston University does not, including Physics, Politics & International Relations, Mathematics, History, Philosophy, Ancient Languages, Asian Languages & Studies, Linguistics and 49 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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