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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.

L
Loughborough University

Loughborough · QS World #203

O
Open University

None · THE World #801

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 8 datapoints

We looked at 8 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

7/8

Loughborough

scored higher in 7 categories

VS

1/8

Open

scored higher in 1 category

Quick Verdict

Loughborough University leads in 7 of 8 categories where both have data (ranking, established, employment, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Open University is ahead on satisfaction.

Loughborough University vs Open University at a glance

Loughborough University and Open University both teach 38 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Business & Management (General) and Mathematics. Loughborough University offers 416 courses across 63 subject areas; Open University offers 337 courses across 68 subject areas.

Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Loughborough University is higher in 18 and Open University in 2, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Finance & Actuarial Science: £43,000 three years after graduating from Loughborough University, against £32,000 from Open University. Of the 15 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Open University is higher in 12 and Loughborough University in 2, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#203
QS World
—
#301
THE World
#801
#11
Guardian UK
—
1909
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.

Loughborough University

Open University

87.6%
89.8%

Satisfaction

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

£41,200
£29,900

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84%
72.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

18.4%
0.2%

International

International student share

416
337

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

36
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.

Loughborough

90 countries · 18.4% international

  • 🇨🇳China24.7%
  • 🇮🇳India13.2%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.6%
  • 🇦🇪United Arab Emirates3.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria3.4%
VS

Open

25 countries · 0.2% international

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

Subjects

38 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.

Loughborough University

Open University

Also taught at both: Childhood & Youth Studies, Economics, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, English Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Education Studies, Human Geography & Environment, Computing & IT, Natural Sciences, Geology & Earth Sciences, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Accounting, Biology, Health & Social Care, Social Sciences (General), English Literature, Information & Library Studies, Ancient Languages, Human Resource Management, Public Health & Epidemiology, Geography (General), Personal & Professional Development, Social Policy & Public Policy.

Only at Loughborough 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

Loughborough University
£29,750
Open University
No data

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

Postgraduate

Loughborough University
£29,500
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.

Loughborough University

Open University

  • Computer Science

    £40,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    86%Satisfaction91%

  • Mathematics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    85%Satisfaction93%

  • Physics

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£38,500
    96%Satisfaction98%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£17,000
    88%Satisfaction89%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    85%Satisfaction92%

  • Design & Fashion

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    89%Satisfaction84%

  • History

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    No dataSatisfaction93%

  • Psychology (General)

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    85%Satisfaction88%

  • General Engineering

    £34,500Salary (3 years)£43,500
    86%Satisfaction88%

  • Chemistry

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    85%Satisfaction93%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    No dataSatisfaction92%

  • Management

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    No dataSatisfactionNo data

Showing the 12 largest of 23 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Loughborough University

Schlumberger Foundation Faculty for the Future Fellowships

£50,000

Deadline: N/A

Care Leaver's Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Commonwealth Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Global Impact Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Inspiring Success Scholarship

100%

Deadline: Jul 2026

View all scholarships →

Open University

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Loughborough University vs Open University: common questions

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

Both universities teach 38 subject areas: Computer Science, Business & Management (General), Mathematics, Physics, Sociology & Criminology, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Design & Fashion, History, Law, Psychology (General), General Engineering, Chemistry and 26 more.

Is Loughborough University or Open University better for Computer Science?

Computer Science graduates earn a median £40,500 three years after graduating from Loughborough University, and £33,500 from Open University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at Loughborough University and 91% at Open University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Loughborough University or Open University offer more courses?

Loughborough University lists 416 courses on CourseOptions and Open University lists 337 courses.

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

Loughborough University teaches 25 subject areas that Open University does not, including Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Civil Engineering, Materials Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Media & Film Studies, Business Studies, Aerospace Engineering, Biomedical Engineering and 17 more.

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

Open University teaches 30 subject areas that Loughborough University does not, including Humanities, Social Work, English Language, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Combined & General Studies, Environmental Sciences, Philosophy, Software Engineering and 22 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

L
Loughborough University416 courses · 36 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
O
Open University337 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses