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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.

N
Northumbria University, Newcastle

Newcastle upon Tyne · QS World #528

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.

5/8

Northumbria

scored higher in 5 categories

VS

3/8

Open

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

Northumbria University, Newcastle leads in 5 of 8 categories where both have data (ranking, employment, international, graduate salary, scholarship). Open University is ahead on TEF, satisfaction, courses.

Northumbria University, Newcastle vs Open University at a glance

Northumbria University, Newcastle and Open University both teach 46 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Law and Business & Management (General). Northumbria University, Newcastle offers 305 courses across 71 subject areas; Open University offers 337 courses across 68 subject areas.

Of the 32 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Open University is higher in 25 and Northumbria University, Newcastle in 5, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Physics: £22,000 three years after graduating from Northumbria University, Newcastle, against £38,500 from Open University. Of the 30 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Open University is higher in 16 and Northumbria University, Newcastle in 11, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#528
QS World
—
#401
THE World
#801
#53
Guardian UK
—
1969
Established
1969
No
Russell Group
No
Silver
TEF Rating
Gold

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.

Northumbria University, Newcastle

Open University

83.5%
89.8%

Satisfaction

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

£31,000
£29,900

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

86.1%
72.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

24.5%
0.2%

International

International student share

305
337

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

7
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.

Northumbria

85 countries · 24.5% international

  • 🇮🇳India35.3%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria16.3%
  • 🌐Kuwait4%
  • 🇨🇳China3.8%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka3.8%
VS

Open

25 countries · 0.2% international

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

Subjects

46 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.

Northumbria University, Newcastle

Open University

Also taught at both: English Language, Physics, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Economics, Environmental Sciences, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Physical Geography & Climate, Accounting, Computing & IT, Finance & Actuarial Science, Human Geography & Environment, Politics & International Relations, Teacher Training, Biology, Chemistry, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Health & Social Care, Adult Nursing, Applied Psychology, Biomedical Sciences, English Studies, Human Resource Management, Linguistics, Mental Health Nursing, Music, Personal & Professional Development, Children's Nursing, Learning Disabilities Nursing, Nursing (General), Public Health & Epidemiology, Creative Writing.

Only at Northumbria University, Newcastle

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

Northumbria University, Newcastle
£19,850
Open University
No data

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

Postgraduate

Northumbria University, Newcastle
£19,850
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.

Northumbria University, Newcastle

Open University

  • Computer Science

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    87%Satisfaction91%

  • Law

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    73%Satisfaction96%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    77%Satisfaction95%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£17,000
    78%Satisfaction89%

  • History

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    98%Satisfaction93%

  • Design & Fashion

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    91%Satisfaction84%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    83%Satisfaction92%

  • Psychology (General)

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    84%Satisfaction88%

  • Social Work

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    89%Satisfaction93%

  • Mathematics

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    85%Satisfaction93%

  • English Literature

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    94%Satisfaction94%

  • English Language

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    96%Satisfaction93%

Showing the 12 largest of 32 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Northumbria University, Newcastle

2025/26 PGT Sanctuary Scholarships

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

2025/26 UG Sanctuary Scholarships

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

Castle Peak Postgraduate Scholarships

See details

Deadline: N/A

GEMS Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Horiba Foundation UK Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

Open University

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Northumbria University, Newcastle vs Open University: common questions

What subjects can you study at both Northumbria University, Newcastle and Open University?

Both universities teach 46 subject areas: Computer Science, Law, Business & Management (General), Sociology & Criminology, History, Design & Fashion, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Psychology (General), Social Work, Mathematics, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, English Literature and 34 more.

Is Northumbria University, Newcastle or Open University better for Computer Science?

Computer Science graduates earn a median £25,500 three years after graduating from Northumbria University, Newcastle, and £33,500 from Open University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 87% at Northumbria University, Newcastle and 91% at Open University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Northumbria University, Newcastle or Open University offer more courses?

Open University lists 337 courses on CourseOptions and Northumbria University, Newcastle lists 305 courses.

What can you study at Northumbria University, Newcastle but not at Open University?

Northumbria University, Newcastle teaches 25 subject areas that Open University does not, including Business Studies, Building & Construction, Marketing, Media & Film Studies, Architecture, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Fine Art and 17 more.

What can you study at Open University but not at Northumbria University, Newcastle?

Open University teaches 22 subject areas that Northumbria University, Newcastle does not, including Humanities, Combined & General Studies, Philosophy, Social Sciences (General), Software Engineering, Ancient Languages, Classical Studies, History of Art & Design and 14 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

N
Northumbria University, Newcastle305 courses · 7 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
O
Open University337 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses