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.
Loughborough · QS World #203
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
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.
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
Satisfaction
Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)
Graduate Salaries (5y)
Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation
Employment
Graduate employment rate
International
International student share
Course Counts
Number of courses offered
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%
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
Computer Science
25 coursesTypical fee £29,750 (UG)
7 coursesTypical fee £21,000 (PG)
Design & Fashion
20 coursesTypical fee £23,950 (UG)
10 coursesTypical fee £18,150 (UG)
Mathematics
19 coursesTypical fee £23,950 (UG)
5 coursesFee not available
Civil Engineering
14 coursesTypical fee £29,750 (UG)
8 coursesTypical fee £21,000 (UG)
Geology & Earth Sciences
6 coursesTypical fee £31,750 (PG)
15 coursesTypical fee £21,000 (PG)
Chemistry
16 coursesTypical fee £29,750 (UG)
4 coursesTypical fee £21,000 (PG)
Physical Geography & Climate
13 coursesTypical fee £26,850 (UG)
7 coursesTypical fee £21,000 (PG)
Politics & International Relations
14 coursesTypical fee £23,950 (UG)
6 coursesTypical fee £18,700 (PG)
Psychology (General)
9 coursesTypical fee £29,750 (UG)
11 coursesFee not available
Management
14 coursesTypical fee £26,500 (UG)
5 coursesTypical fee £19,500 (PG)
Manufacturing & Production Engineering
17 coursesTypical fee £29,750 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £21,000 (PG)
Business & Management (General)
6 coursesTypical fee £31,750 (PG)
12 coursesTypical fee £19,500 (PG)
Electronic & Electrical Engineering
English Studies
11 coursesTypical fee £23,950 (UG)
5 coursesTypical fee £18,150 (UG)
Business Studies
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.
Only at Loughborough 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
- 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)£28,00086%Satisfaction72%Design & Fashion
£27,500Salary (3 years)£21,00089%Satisfaction77%Mathematics
£31,000Salary (3 years)£25,00085%Satisfaction86%Civil Engineering
£34,500Salary (3 years)£29,50087%Satisfaction94%Chemistry
£27,000Salary (3 years)£24,50085%Satisfaction97%Physical Geography & Climate
£28,000Salary (3 years)£24,00093%Satisfaction94%Politics & International Relations
£30,500Salary (3 years)£24,000No dataSatisfaction86%Psychology (General)
£25,500Salary (3 years)£21,50085%Satisfaction84%Management
£36,000Salary (3 years)£24,000No dataSatisfactionNo dataManufacturing & Production Engineering
£33,000Salary (3 years)£30,50088%Satisfaction93%Electronic & Electrical Engineering
£34,500Salary (3 years)£32,00090%Satisfaction91%English Studies
£24,500Salary (3 years)£19,500No dataSatisfaction94%
Showing the 12 largest of 25 shared subjects with published outcomes.
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveLoughborough 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
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
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.
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