Skip to main content

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 Sunderland

Sunderland · Guardian UK #86

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

Northumbria

scored higher in 6 categories

VS

3/9

Sunderland

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

Northumbria University, Newcastle leads in 6 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, employment, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Sunderland is ahead on established, satisfaction, international.

Northumbria University, Newcastle vs University of Sunderland at a glance

Northumbria University, Newcastle and University of Sunderland both teach 42 subject areas, the largest being Business Studies, Computer Science and Design & Fashion. Northumbria University, Newcastle offers 305 courses across 71 subject areas; University of Sunderland offers 193 courses across 56 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,850 a year at Northumbria University, Newcastle and £17,500 at University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland is about £2,350 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,850 a year at Northumbria University, Newcastle and £17,000 at University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland is about £2,850 a year cheaper.

Of the 31 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Northumbria University, Newcastle is higher in 23 and University of Sunderland in 7, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Hospitality, Events & Tourism: £26,000 three years after graduating from Northumbria University, Newcastle, against £19,000 from University of Sunderland. Of the 31 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Sunderland is higher in 19 and Northumbria University, Newcastle in 10, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#528
QS World
—
#401
THE World
#1501
#53
Guardian UK
#86
1969
Established
1901
No
Russell Group
No
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 Sunderland

83.5%
89.8%

Satisfaction

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

£31,000
£24,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

86.1%
81.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

24.5%
36.5%

International

International student share

305
193

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

Sunderland

56 countries · 36.5% international

  • 🌐Nepal29.5%
  • 🇮🇳India17.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria16.6%
  • 🇨🇳China7.3%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan6.9%

Subjects

42 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 Sunderland

Also taught at both: Fine Art, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Accounting, Applied Psychology, Biochemistry, English Studies, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Teacher Training, Childhood & Youth Studies, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Economics, Education Studies, Health & Social Care, Nursing (General), Adult Nursing, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Human Resource Management, Mental Health Nursing, Midwifery, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Biomedical Sciences, Children's Nursing, Clinical & Health Psychology, Healthcare Science, Music, General Engineering.

Only at Northumbria University, Newcastle

Only at University of Sunderland

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 Sunderland
£17,500

University of Sunderland is about £2,350 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Northumbria University, Newcastle
£19,850
University of Sunderland
£17,000

University of Sunderland is about £2,850 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 Sunderland

  • Business Studies

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    83%Satisfaction91%

  • Computer Science

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    87%Satisfaction78%

  • Design & Fashion

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£17,000
    91%Satisfaction90%

  • Law

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£19,000
    73%Satisfaction95%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    83%Satisfaction86%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    86%Satisfaction76%

  • Hospitality, Events & Tourism

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
    66%Satisfaction93%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£18,000
    89%Satisfaction93%

  • Social Work

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    89%Satisfaction90%

  • Marketing

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    79%Satisfaction91%

  • Psychology (General)

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
    84%Satisfaction88%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£18,500
    78%Satisfaction87%

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 →

University of Sunderland

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Northumbria University, Newcastle vs University of Sunderland: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,850 a year at Northumbria University, Newcastle and £17,500 at University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland is about £2,350 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,850 a year at Northumbria University, Newcastle and £17,000 at University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland is about £2,850 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 Sunderland?

Both universities teach 42 subject areas: Business Studies, Computer Science, Design & Fashion, Law, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Media & Film Studies, Social Work, Marketing, Psychology (General), Sociology & Criminology and 30 more.

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

Business Studies graduates earn a median £26,000 three years after graduating from Northumbria University, Newcastle, and £20,000 from University of Sunderland. Student satisfaction with teaching is 83% at Northumbria University, Newcastle and 91% at University of Sunderland. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

Northumbria University, Newcastle lists 305 courses on CourseOptions and University of Sunderland lists 193 courses.

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

Northumbria University, Newcastle teaches 29 subject areas that University of Sunderland does not, including English Literature, History, Building & Construction, Architecture, Civil Engineering, Physical Geography & Climate, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Environmental Sciences and 21 more.

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

University of Sunderland teaches 14 subject areas that Northumbria University, Newcastle does not, including Film Production & Cinematography, Journalism, Geology & Earth Sciences, Performing Arts (General), Software Engineering, Agriculture & Land Management, Applied & General Science, Games Design & Computer Animation and 6 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 Sunderland193 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses