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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

U
University of Plymouth

Plymouth · QS World #691

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 11 datapoints

We looked at 11 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

6/11

Northumbria

scored higher in 6 categories

VS

5/11

Plymouth

scored higher in 5 categories

Quick Verdict

Northumbria University, Newcastle leads in 6 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, employment, international, graduate salary). University of Plymouth is ahead on TEF, established, satisfaction, courses, scholarship.

Northumbria University, Newcastle vs University of Plymouth at a glance

Northumbria University, Newcastle and University of Plymouth both teach 53 subject areas, the largest being Business Studies, Design & Fashion and Computer Science. Northumbria University, Newcastle offers 305 courses across 71 subject areas; University of Plymouth offers 310 courses across 78 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,850 a year at Northumbria University, Newcastle and £19,200 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £650 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,850 a year at Northumbria University, Newcastle and £19,500 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £350 a year cheaper.

Of the 40 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Northumbria University, Newcastle is higher in 20 and University of Plymouth in 17, with 3 about level. The widest gap is in Social Work: £20,000 three years after graduating from Northumbria University, Newcastle, against £29,000 from University of Plymouth. Of the 38 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Plymouth is higher in 18 and Northumbria University, Newcastle in 15, with 5 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#528
QS World
#691
#401
THE World
#501
#53
Guardian UK
#56
1969
Established
1862
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

University of Plymouth

83.5%
86.6%

Satisfaction

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

£31,000
£30,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

86.1%
84.2%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

24.5%
11.9%

International

International student share

305
310

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

7
10

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

Plymouth

71 countries · 11.9% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria14.6%
  • 🇨🇳China12.2%
  • 🇮🇳India11%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.7%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka3.3%

Subjects

53 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

University of Plymouth

Also taught at both: Biomedical Sciences, Nutrition & Dietetics, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Marketing, Mechanical Engineering, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Politics & International Relations, English Studies, Architecture, Chemistry, Economics, Environmental Sciences, Finance & Actuarial Science, Media & Film Studies, Midwifery, Accounting, Children's Nursing, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Human Geography & Environment, Mental Health Nursing, Education Studies, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Applied Psychology, Clinical & Health Psychology, Creative Writing, Fine Art, Biology, Childhood & Youth Studies, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Drama & Theatre, General Engineering, Human Resource Management, Nursing (General), Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Heritage & Conservation, Music, Specialist Clinical Nursing.

Only at Northumbria University, Newcastle

Only at University of Plymouth

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
University of Plymouth
£19,200

University of Plymouth is about £650 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Northumbria University, Newcastle
£19,850
University of Plymouth
£19,500

University of Plymouth is about £350 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

University of Plymouth

  • Business Studies

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    83%Satisfaction74%

  • Design & Fashion

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    91%Satisfaction77%

  • Computer Science

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    87%Satisfaction72%

  • Law

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£21,500
    73%Satisfaction84%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    77%Satisfaction83%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    86%Satisfaction91%

  • Psychology (General)

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£21,500
    84%Satisfaction84%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    78%Satisfaction83%

  • Civil Engineering

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    83%Satisfaction94%

  • History

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    98%Satisfaction94%

  • Physical Geography & Climate

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    92%Satisfaction94%

  • Building & Construction

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£31,500
    81%Satisfaction90%

Showing the 12 largest of 41 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 →

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

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Northumbria University, Newcastle vs University of Plymouth: common questions

Is Northumbria University, Newcastle or University of Plymouth cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,850 a year at Northumbria University, Newcastle and £19,200 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £650 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,850 a year at Northumbria University, Newcastle and £19,500 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £350 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 University of Plymouth?

Both universities teach 53 subject areas: Business Studies, Design & Fashion, Computer Science, Law, Business & Management (General), Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Psychology (General), Sociology & Criminology, Civil Engineering, History, Physical Geography & Climate, Building & Construction and 41 more.

Is Northumbria University, Newcastle or University of Plymouth better for Business Studies?

Business Studies graduates earn a median £26,000 three years after graduating from Northumbria University, Newcastle, and £24,000 from University of Plymouth. Student satisfaction with teaching is 83% at Northumbria University, Newcastle and 74% at University of Plymouth. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Northumbria University, Newcastle or University of Plymouth offer more courses?

University of Plymouth lists 310 courses on CourseOptions and Northumbria University, Newcastle lists 305 courses.

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

Northumbria University, Newcastle teaches 18 subject areas that University of Plymouth does not, including Sport & Exercise Sciences, English Literature, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Forensic Science, Personal & Professional Development, Physics, Teacher Training, Biochemistry and 10 more.

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

University of Plymouth teaches 25 subject areas that Northumbria University, Newcastle does not, including Geology & Earth Sciences, Ecology & Conservation, Dentistry, Marine Engineering & Technology, Management, Film Production & Cinematography, Statistics, Agriculture & Land Management and 17 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
U
University of Plymouth310 courses · 10 scholarshipsBrowse Courses