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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 Southampton

Southampton · QS World #111

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.

1/11

Northumbria

scored higher in 1 category

VS

10/11

Southampton

scored higher in 10 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Southampton leads in 10 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Northumbria University, Newcastle is ahead on employment.

Northumbria University, Newcastle vs University of Southampton at a glance

Northumbria University, Newcastle and University of Southampton both teach 58 subject areas, the largest being Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Business Studies and General Engineering. Northumbria University, Newcastle offers 305 courses across 71 subject areas; University of Southampton offers 545 courses across 91 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,850 a year at Northumbria University, Newcastle and £26,000 at University of Southampton: Northumbria University, Newcastle is about £6,150 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,850 a year at Northumbria University, Newcastle and £31,200 at University of Southampton: Northumbria University, Newcastle is about £11,350 a year cheaper.

Of the 38 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Southampton is higher in 35 and Northumbria University, Newcastle in 1, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £25,500 three years after graduating from Northumbria University, Newcastle, against £47,000 from University of Southampton. Of the 37 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Northumbria University, Newcastle is higher in 20 and University of Southampton in 17.

World & National Rankings

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

#528
QS World
#111
#401
THE World
#129
#53
Guardian UK
#16
1969
Established
1862
No
Russell Group
Yes
Silver
TEF Rating
Silver

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 Southampton

83.5%
87%

Satisfaction

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

£31,000
£37,200

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

86.1%
82.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

24.5%
35.1%

International

International student share

305
545

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

7
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.

Northumbria

85 countries · 24.5% international

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

Southampton

103 countries · 35.1% international

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

Subjects

58 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 Southampton

Also taught at both: Environmental Sciences, Marketing, Mathematics, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Economics, Chemistry, Accounting, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Psychology (General), Building & Construction, Politics & International Relations, Education Studies, Music, Physical Geography & Climate, Adult Nursing, Architecture, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Children's Nursing, Healthcare Science, Teacher Training, Biochemistry, Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Clinical & Health Psychology, Counselling & Psychotherapy, English Studies, Fine Art, Health & Social Care, Applied Psychology, English Language, Human Geography & Environment, Mental Health Nursing, Midwifery, Nursing (General), Personal & Professional Development, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Heritage & Conservation, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Computing & IT, Creative Writing, Human Resource Management, Specialist Clinical Nursing.

Only at Northumbria University, Newcastle

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

Northumbria University, Newcastle
£19,850
University of Southampton
£26,000

Northumbria University, Newcastle is about £6,150 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Northumbria University, Newcastle
£19,850
University of Southampton
£31,200

Northumbria University, Newcastle is about £11,350 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 Southampton

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£40,500
    86%Satisfaction89%

  • Business Studies

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£31,500
    83%Satisfaction66%

  • Computer Science

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£47,000
    87%Satisfaction80%

  • Design & Fashion

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£21,500
    91%Satisfaction89%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£31,500
    77%Satisfaction80%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£39,500
    88%Satisfaction84%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£34,500
    94%Satisfaction87%

  • Law

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£28,500
    73%Satisfaction87%

  • English Literature

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    94%Satisfaction89%

  • History

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    98%Satisfaction91%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    89%Satisfaction87%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    78%Satisfaction86%

Showing the 12 largest of 38 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 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

Northumbria University, Newcastle vs University of Southampton: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,850 a year at Northumbria University, Newcastle and £26,000 at University of Southampton: Northumbria University, Newcastle is about £6,150 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,850 a year at Northumbria University, Newcastle and £31,200 at University of Southampton: Northumbria University, Newcastle is about £11,350 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 Southampton?

Both universities teach 58 subject areas: Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Business Studies, General Engineering, Computer Science, Design & Fashion, Business & Management (General), Finance & Actuarial Science, Mechanical Engineering, Law, English Literature, History, Media & Film Studies and 46 more.

Is Northumbria University, Newcastle or University of Southampton better for Electronic & Electrical Engineering?

Electronic & Electrical Engineering graduates earn a median £29,500 three years after graduating from Northumbria University, Newcastle, and £40,500 from University of Southampton. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at Northumbria University, Newcastle and 89% at University of Southampton. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Southampton lists 545 courses on CourseOptions and Northumbria University, Newcastle lists 305 courses.

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

Northumbria University, Newcastle teaches 13 subject areas that University of Southampton does not, including Social Work, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Forensic Science, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Nutrition & Dietetics, Drama & Theatre, Learning Disabilities Nursing, Applied Biology & Human Biology and 5 more.

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

University of Southampton teaches 33 subject areas that Northumbria University, Newcastle does not, including Aerospace Engineering, Geology & Earth Sciences, Archaeology, Chemical Engineering, Ancient Languages, Marine Engineering & Technology, Philosophy, Software Engineering and 25 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 Southampton545 courses · 52 scholarshipsBrowse Courses