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
Paisley · Guardian UK #115
Head-to-Head Summary
Based on 9 datapoints
We looked at 9 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.
6/9
Loughborough
scored higher in 6 categories
3/9
West of Scotland
scored higher in 3 categories
Quick Verdict
Loughborough University leads in 6 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, employment, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of the West of Scotland is ahead on established, satisfaction, international.
Loughborough University vs University of the West of Scotland at a glance
Loughborough University and University of the West of Scotland both teach 29 subject areas, the largest being Physics, Design & Fashion and Sport & Exercise Sciences. Loughborough University offers 416 courses across 63 subject areas; University of the West of Scotland offers 119 courses across 49 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,750 a year at Loughborough University and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £14,250 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,500 a year at Loughborough University and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £13,220 a year cheaper.
Of the 13 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Loughborough University is higher in 13 and University of the West of Scotland in 0. The widest gap is in Accounting: £37,000 three years after graduating from Loughborough University, against £21,000 from University of the West of Scotland. Of the 10 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of the West of Scotland is higher in 6 and Loughborough University in 3, with 1 about level.
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 the West of Scotland
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%
West of Scotland
33 countries · 30.3% international
- 🇵🇰Pakistan36.2%
- 🌐Nepal20.4%
- 🇮🇳India19.3%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria7.4%
- 🇧🇩Bangladesh5.3%
Subjects
29 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 the West of Scotland
Physics
22 coursesTypical fee £29,750 (UG)
3 coursesTypical fee £18,000 (UG)
Design & Fashion
20 coursesTypical fee £23,950 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £15,500 (UG)
Sport & Exercise Sciences
20 coursesTypical fee £29,750 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £18,000 (UG)
Chemistry
16 coursesTypical fee £29,750 (UG)
5 coursesTypical fee £15,500 (UG)
Mathematics
19 coursesTypical fee £23,950 (UG)
1 courseTypical fee £18,000 (UG)
Business Studies
Politics & International Relations
14 coursesTypical fee £23,950 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £13,630 (PG)
General Engineering
Media & Film Studies
10 coursesTypical fee £23,950 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £18,140 (PG)
Electronic & Electrical Engineering
Psychology (General)
Sociology & Criminology
Aerospace Engineering
Business & Management (General)
Childhood & Youth Studies
Also taught at both: Computing & IT, Mechanical Engineering, Accounting, Law, Human Geography & Environment, Social Sciences (General), Biology, Health & Social Care, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Public Health & Epidemiology, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Marketing, Education Studies, Technology & Logistics.
Only at Loughborough University
Only at University of the West of Scotland
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 the West of Scotland
- £15,500
University of the West of Scotland is about £14,250 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Loughborough University
- £29,500
- University of the West of Scotland
- £16,280
University of the West of Scotland is about £13,220 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 the West of Scotland
Physics
£30,500Salary (3 years)£23,00096%Satisfaction95%Design & Fashion
£27,500Salary (3 years)£17,50089%Satisfaction91%Sport & Exercise Sciences
£26,500Salary (3 years)£21,00085%Satisfaction91%Chemistry
£27,000Salary (3 years)£23,00085%Satisfaction95%Business Studies
£36,000Salary (3 years)£21,00088%Satisfaction75%General Engineering
£34,500Salary (3 years)£26,50086%Satisfaction92%Electronic & Electrical Engineering
£34,500Salary (3 years)£26,50090%Satisfaction80%Sociology & Criminology
£26,500Salary (3 years)£23,00088%SatisfactionNo dataAerospace Engineering
£34,500Salary (3 years)£30,50087%Satisfaction100%Mechanical Engineering
£34,000Salary (3 years)£25,50089%Satisfaction89%Accounting
£37,000Salary (3 years)£21,000No dataSatisfaction86%Social Sciences (General)
£26,500Salary (3 years)£23,00088%Satisfaction95%
Showing the 12 largest of 13 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 the West of Scotland
View all scholarships →FAQ
Loughborough University vs University of the West of Scotland: common questions
Is Loughborough University or University of the West of Scotland cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,750 a year at Loughborough University and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £14,250 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,500 a year at Loughborough University and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £13,220 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 the West of Scotland?
Both universities teach 29 subject areas: Physics, Design & Fashion, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Chemistry, Mathematics, Business Studies, Politics & International Relations, General Engineering, Media & Film Studies, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Psychology (General), Sociology & Criminology and 17 more.
Is Loughborough University or University of the West of Scotland better for Physics?
Physics graduates earn a median £30,500 three years after graduating from Loughborough University, and £23,000 from University of the West of Scotland. Student satisfaction with teaching is 96% at Loughborough University and 95% at University of the West of Scotland. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Loughborough University or University of the West of Scotland offer more courses?
Loughborough University lists 416 courses on CourseOptions and University of the West of Scotland lists 119 courses.
What can you study at Loughborough University but not at University of the West of Scotland?
Loughborough University teaches 34 subject areas that University of the West of Scotland does not, including Computer Science, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Civil Engineering, Management, Materials Engineering, Physical Geography & Climate, Chemical Engineering, English Studies and 26 more.
What can you study at University of the West of Scotland but not at Loughborough University?
University of the West of Scotland teaches 20 subject areas that Loughborough University does not, including Teacher Training, Applied Computing, Business Information Systems, Applied Psychology, Social Work, Community & Specialist Nursing, Journalism, Music and 12 more.
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