Skip to main content

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

U
University of Plymouth

Plymouth · QS World #691

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 10 datapoints

We looked at 10 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

8/10

Loughborough

scored higher in 8 categories

VS

2/10

Plymouth

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

Loughborough University leads in 8 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Plymouth is ahead on established, employment.

Loughborough University vs University of Plymouth at a glance

Loughborough University and University of Plymouth both teach 43 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Design & Fashion and Mathematics. Loughborough University offers 416 courses across 63 subject areas; University of Plymouth offers 310 courses across 78 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,750 a year at Loughborough University and £19,200 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £10,550 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,500 a year at Loughborough University and £19,500 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £10,000 a year cheaper.

Of the 25 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Loughborough University is higher in 24 and University of Plymouth in 0, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Finance & Actuarial Science: £43,000 three years after graduating from Loughborough University, against £24,000 from University of Plymouth. Of the 16 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Plymouth is higher in 10 and Loughborough University in 6.

World & National Rankings

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

#203
QS World
#691
#301
THE World
#501
#11
Guardian UK
#56
1909
Established
1862
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

University of Plymouth

87.6%
86.6%

Satisfaction

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

£41,200
£30,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84%
84.2%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

18.4%
11.9%

International

International student share

416
310

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

36
10

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

Plymouth

71 countries · 11.9% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria14.6%
  • 🇨🇳China12.2%
  • 🇮🇳India11%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.7%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka3.3%

Subjects

43 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

University of Plymouth

Also taught at both: Sociology & Criminology, Chemical Engineering, Law, Economics, Finance & Actuarial Science, General Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Media & Film Studies, Building & Construction, History, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Human Geography & Environment, Biomedical Engineering, Childhood & Youth Studies, Accounting, Film Production & Cinematography, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Marketing, Architecture, Biology, Education Studies, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Fine Art, Geography (General), Human Resource Management, Social Sciences (General), Technology & Logistics, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning.

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
University of Plymouth
£19,200

University of Plymouth is about £10,550 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Loughborough University
£29,500
University of Plymouth
£19,500

University of Plymouth is about £10,000 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.

Loughborough University

University of Plymouth

  • Computer Science

    £40,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    86%Satisfaction72%
  • Design & Fashion

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    89%Satisfaction77%
  • Mathematics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    85%Satisfaction86%
  • Civil Engineering

    £34,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
    87%Satisfaction94%
  • Chemistry

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    85%Satisfaction97%
  • Physical Geography & Climate

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    93%Satisfaction94%
  • Politics & International Relations

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    No dataSatisfaction86%
  • Psychology (General)

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£21,500
    85%Satisfaction84%
  • Management

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    No dataSatisfactionNo data
  • Manufacturing & Production Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    88%Satisfaction93%
  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £34,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    90%Satisfaction91%
  • English Studies

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    No dataSatisfaction94%

Showing the 12 largest of 25 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 →

University of Plymouth

GREAT Scholarships

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

International Undergraduate Welcome to Plymouth Scholarship

£6,000

Deadline: N/A

Tamar Engineering Project

£4,500

Deadline: Jun 2026

International Postgraduate Welcome to Plymouth Scholarship

£4,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Loughborough University vs University of Plymouth: common questions

Is Loughborough University or University of Plymouth cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,750 a year at Loughborough University and £19,200 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £10,550 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,500 a year at Loughborough University and £19,500 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £10,000 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 Loughborough University and University of Plymouth?

Both universities teach 43 subject areas: Computer Science, Design & Fashion, Mathematics, Civil Engineering, Geology & Earth Sciences, Chemistry, Physical Geography & Climate, Politics & International Relations, Psychology (General), Management, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Business & Management (General) and 31 more.

Is Loughborough University or University of Plymouth better for Computer Science?

Computer Science graduates earn a median £40,500 three years after graduating from Loughborough University, and £28,000 from University of Plymouth. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at Loughborough University and 72% at University of Plymouth. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Loughborough University or University of Plymouth offer more courses?

Loughborough University lists 416 courses on CourseOptions and University of Plymouth lists 310 courses.

What can you study at Loughborough University but not at University of Plymouth?

Loughborough University teaches 20 subject areas that University of Plymouth does not, including Physics, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Materials Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Natural Sciences, Information & Library Studies, Planning & Housing, Applied Biology & Human Biology and 12 more.

What can you study at University of Plymouth but not at Loughborough University?

University of Plymouth teaches 35 subject areas that Loughborough University does not, including Biomedical Sciences, Ecology & Conservation, Adult Nursing, Nutrition & Dietetics, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Dentistry, Marine Engineering & Technology, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation and 27 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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