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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

U
University of Southampton

Southampton · QS World #111

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.

5/12

Loughborough

scored higher in 5 categories

VS

7/12

Southampton

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Southampton leads in 7 of 12 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, international, courses, scholarship). Loughborough University is ahead on ranking, TEF, satisfaction, employment, graduate salary.

Loughborough University vs University of Southampton at a glance

Loughborough University and University of Southampton both teach 50 subject areas, the largest being Electronic & Electrical Engineering, General Engineering and Computer Science. Loughborough University offers 416 courses across 63 subject areas; University of Southampton offers 545 courses across 91 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,750 a year at Loughborough University and £26,000 at University of Southampton: University of Southampton is about £3,750 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,500 a year at Loughborough University and £31,200 at University of Southampton: Loughborough University is about £1,700 a year cheaper.

Of the 29 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Loughborough University is higher in 14 and University of Southampton in 10, with 5 about level. The widest gap is in Accounting: £37,000 three years after graduating from Loughborough University, against £29,500 from University of Southampton. Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Loughborough University is higher in 12 and University of Southampton in 7, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#203
QS World
#111
#301
THE World
#129
#11
Guardian UK
#16
1909
Established
1862
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.

Loughborough University

University of Southampton

87.6%
87%

Satisfaction

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

£41,200
£37,200

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84%
82.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

18.4%
35.1%

International

International student share

416
545

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

36
52

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

Southampton

103 countries · 35.1% international

  • 🇨🇳China63.5%
  • 🇮🇳India4.8%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia2.8%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia2.6%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.5%

Subjects

50 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 Southampton

Also taught at both: Geology & Earth Sciences, Politics & International Relations, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Management, Sociology & Criminology, History, Business Studies, Economics, Physical Geography & Climate, Psychology (General), English Literature, English Studies, Law, Ancient Languages, Accounting, Marketing, Biomedical Engineering, Building & Construction, Education Studies, Social Policy & Public Policy, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biology, Health & Social Care, Human Geography & Environment, Information & Library Studies, Clinical Specialities, Fine Art, Architecture, Computing & IT, Personal & Professional Development, Pharmacology, Social Sciences (General), Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Human Resource Management, Technology & Logistics.

Only at Loughborough University

Only at University of Southampton

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 Southampton
£26,000

University of Southampton is about £3,750 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Loughborough University
£29,500
University of Southampton
£31,200

Loughborough University is about £1,700 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 Southampton

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £34,500Salary (3 years)£40,500
    90%Satisfaction89%

  • General Engineering

    £34,500Salary (3 years)£34,500
    86%Satisfaction90%

  • Computer Science

    £40,500Salary (3 years)£47,000
    86%Satisfaction80%

  • Physics

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    96%Satisfaction87%

  • Design & Fashion

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£21,500
    89%Satisfaction89%

  • Civil Engineering

    £34,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    87%Satisfaction93%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £43,000Salary (3 years)£39,500
    82%Satisfaction84%

  • Mathematics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    85%Satisfaction81%

  • Chemistry

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    85%Satisfaction91%

  • Manufacturing & Production Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£34,500
    88%Satisfaction83%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£34,500
    89%Satisfaction87%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£34,500
    95%Satisfaction89%

Showing the 12 largest of 29 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 Southampton

Horizon Europe fee waiver

100%

Deadline: N/A

Cowrie Foundation Scholarship

£8,000

Deadline: N/A

Xiamen University PhD Scholarships

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sociology Criminology International Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Southampton Ageing & Gerontology Talent Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Loughborough University vs University of Southampton: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,750 a year at Loughborough University and £26,000 at University of Southampton: University of Southampton is about £3,750 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,500 a year at Loughborough University and £31,200 at University of Southampton: Loughborough University is about £1,700 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 Southampton?

Both universities teach 50 subject areas: Electronic & Electrical Engineering, General Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Design & Fashion, Business & Management (General), Civil Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Mathematics, Chemistry, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and 38 more.

Is Loughborough University or University of Southampton better for Electronic & Electrical Engineering?

Electronic & Electrical Engineering graduates earn a median £34,500 three years after graduating from Loughborough University, and £40,500 from University of Southampton. Student satisfaction with teaching is 90% at Loughborough University and 89% at University of Southampton. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Loughborough University or University of Southampton offer more courses?

University of Southampton lists 545 courses on CourseOptions and Loughborough University lists 416 courses.

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

Loughborough University teaches 13 subject areas that University of Southampton does not, including Materials Engineering, Natural Sciences, Childhood & Youth Studies, Planning & Housing, Applied Biology & Human Biology, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Public Health & Epidemiology, Biotechnology and 5 more.

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

University of Southampton teaches 41 subject areas that Loughborough University does not, including Archaeology, Environmental Sciences, Marine Engineering & Technology, Music, Philosophy, Software Engineering, Healthcare Science, Children's Nursing and 33 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

L
Loughborough University416 courses · 36 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Southampton545 courses · 52 scholarshipsBrowse Courses