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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

Q
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh

Edinburgh · QS World #1201

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

Queen Margaret

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

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

Northumbria University, Newcastle vs Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh at a glance

Northumbria University, Newcastle and Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh both teach 19 subject areas, the largest being Business Studies, Design & Fashion and Business & Management (General). Northumbria University, Newcastle offers 305 courses across 71 subject areas; Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh offers 68 courses across 25 subject areas.

For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,850 a year at Northumbria University, Newcastle and £18,460 at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh: Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh is about £1,390 a year cheaper.

Of the 13 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Northumbria University, Newcastle is higher in 6 and Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh in 3, with 4 about level. The widest gap is in Business & Management (General): £26,000 three years after graduating from Northumbria University, Newcastle, against £22,000 from Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh. Of the 14 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh is higher in 10 and Northumbria University, Newcastle in 4.

World & National Rankings

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

#528
QS World
#1201
#401
THE World
—
#53
Guardian UK
—
1969
Established
1875
No
Russell Group
No
Silver
TEF Rating
—

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Northumbria University, Newcastle

Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh

83.5%
89.4%

Satisfaction

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

£31,000
£28,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

86.1%
88.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

24.5%
18.6%

International

International student share

305
68

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

7
3

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

Queen Margaret

51 countries · 18.6% international

  • 🇮🇪Ireland29%
  • 🌐Nepal9.8%
  • 🇨🇦Canada8.2%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria6.1%
  • 🇺🇸United States4.5%

Subjects

19 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

Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh

Also taught at both: Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Politics & International Relations, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Health & Social Care.

Only at Northumbria University, Newcastle

Only at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh

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
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
No data

We do not have reliable international fee data for Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh yet.

Postgraduate

Northumbria University, Newcastle
£19,850
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
£18,460

Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh is about £1,390 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.

Northumbria University, Newcastle

Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh

  • Design & Fashion

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    91%Satisfaction95%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£22,000
    77%Satisfaction92%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    78%Satisfaction94%

  • Psychology (General)

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    84%Satisfaction82%

  • Marketing

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£22,000
    79%Satisfaction76%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£20,000
    89%Satisfaction88%

  • Nutrition & Dietetics

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    73%Satisfaction90%

  • Teacher Training

    £25,500Salary (3 years)No data
    88%Satisfaction90%

  • Adult Nursing

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    84%Satisfaction100%

  • Counselling & Psychotherapy

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    91%Satisfaction88%

  • Health Sciences & Paramedic Science

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    84%Satisfaction88%

  • Drama & Theatre

    £18,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    96%Satisfaction99%

Showing the 12 largest of 14 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 →

Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh

Scottish Highlands & Islands Schools Scholarship

£500

Deadline: Jun 2026

Alison Scott Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

The Alison Scott Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Northumbria University, Newcastle vs Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh: common questions

Is Northumbria University, Newcastle or Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh cheaper for international students?

For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,850 a year at Northumbria University, Newcastle and £18,460 at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh: Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh is about £1,390 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 Northumbria University, Newcastle and Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh?

Both universities teach 19 subject areas: Business Studies, Design & Fashion, Business & Management (General), Sociology & Criminology, Psychology (General), Marketing, Media & Film Studies, Nutrition & Dietetics, Teacher Training, Adult Nursing, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Finance & Actuarial Science and 7 more.

Is Northumbria University, Newcastle or Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh better for Design & Fashion?

Design & Fashion graduates earn a median £22,500 three years after graduating from Northumbria University, Newcastle, and £19,500 from Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh. Student satisfaction with teaching is 91% at Northumbria University, Newcastle and 95% at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Northumbria University, Newcastle or Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh offer more courses?

Northumbria University, Newcastle lists 305 courses on CourseOptions and Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh lists 68 courses.

What can you study at Northumbria University, Newcastle but not at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh?

Northumbria University, Newcastle teaches 52 subject areas that Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh does not, including Computer Science, Law, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, English Literature, Social Work, History, Building & Construction and 44 more.

What can you study at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh but not at Northumbria University, Newcastle?

Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh teaches 6 subject areas that Northumbria University, Newcastle does not, including Complementary & Alternative Medicine, Cultural Studies, Medical Imaging, Classical Studies, Clinical Specialities and Public Relations.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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Northumbria University, Newcastle305 courses · 7 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
Q
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh68 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses