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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 the West of Scotland

Paisley · Guardian UK #115

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.

5/9

Northumbria

scored higher in 5 categories

VS

4/9

West of Scotland

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

Northumbria University, Newcastle leads in 5 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, employment, courses, scholarship). University of the West of Scotland is ahead on established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary.

Northumbria University, Newcastle vs University of the West of Scotland at a glance

Northumbria University, Newcastle and University of the West of Scotland both teach 39 subject areas, the largest being Business Studies, Design & Fashion and Law. Northumbria University, Newcastle offers 305 courses across 71 subject areas; University of the West of Scotland offers 119 courses across 49 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,850 a year at Northumbria University, Newcastle and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £4,350 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,850 a year at Northumbria University, Newcastle and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £3,570 a year cheaper.

Of the 19 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Northumbria University, Newcastle is higher in 12 and University of the West of Scotland in 7. The widest gap is in Social Work: £20,000 three years after graduating from Northumbria University, Newcastle, against £30,500 from University of the West of Scotland. Of the 18 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of the West of Scotland is higher in 10 and Northumbria University, Newcastle in 6, 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
#601
#53
Guardian UK
#115
1969
Established
1897
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

University of the West of Scotland

83.5%
89%

Satisfaction

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

£31,000
£31,134.9

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

86.1%
81.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

24.5%
30.3%

International

International student share

305
119

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

West of Scotland

33 countries · 30.3% international

  • 🇵🇰Pakistan36.2%
  • 🌐Nepal20.4%
  • 🇮🇳India19.3%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria7.4%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh5.3%

Subjects

39 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 the West of Scotland

Also taught at both: Psychology (General), Computing & IT, General Engineering, Physics, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Mechanical Engineering, Politics & International Relations, Adult Nursing, Childhood & Youth Studies, Environmental Sciences, Forensic Science, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Mental Health Nursing, Midwifery, Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Education Studies, English Language, Health & Social Care, Human Geography & Environment, Music, Public Health & Epidemiology, Healthcare Science, Nursing (General).

Only at Northumbria University, Newcastle

Only at University of the West of Scotland

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 the West of Scotland
£15,500

University of the West of Scotland is about £4,350 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Northumbria University, Newcastle
£19,850
University of the West of Scotland
£16,280

University of the West of Scotland is about £3,570 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 the West of Scotland

  • Business Studies

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    83%Satisfaction75%

  • Design & Fashion

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£17,500
    91%Satisfaction91%

  • Law

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    73%SatisfactionNo data

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    83%Satisfaction91%

  • Social Work

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    89%Satisfaction88%

  • Teacher Training

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    88%Satisfaction94%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    86%Satisfaction80%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    78%SatisfactionNo data

  • Chemistry

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    97%Satisfaction95%

  • Accounting

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

  • Physics

    £22,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    93%Satisfaction95%

  • Hospitality, Events & Tourism

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

Showing the 12 largest of 20 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 the West of Scotland

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Northumbria University, Newcastle vs University of the West of Scotland: common questions

Is Northumbria University, Newcastle or University of the West of Scotland cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,850 a year at Northumbria University, Newcastle and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £4,350 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,850 a year at Northumbria University, Newcastle and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £3,570 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 the West of Scotland?

Both universities teach 39 subject areas: Business Studies, Design & Fashion, Law, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Social Work, Teacher Training, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Sociology & Criminology, Business & Management (General), Chemistry, Media & Film Studies, Accounting and 27 more.

Is Northumbria University, Newcastle or University of the West of Scotland better for Business Studies?

Business Studies graduates earn a median £26,000 three years after graduating from Northumbria University, Newcastle, and £21,000 from University of the West of Scotland. Student satisfaction with teaching is 83% at Northumbria University, Newcastle and 75% at University of the West of Scotland. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Northumbria University, Newcastle or University of the West of Scotland offer more courses?

Northumbria University, Newcastle lists 305 courses on CourseOptions and University of the West of Scotland lists 119 courses.

What can you study at Northumbria University, Newcastle but not at University of the West of Scotland?

Northumbria University, Newcastle teaches 32 subject areas that University of the West of Scotland does not, including Computer Science, English Literature, History, Building & Construction, Architecture, Civil Engineering, Physical Geography & Climate, Economics and 24 more.

What can you study at University of the West of Scotland but not at Northumbria University, Newcastle?

University of the West of Scotland teaches 10 subject areas that Northumbria University, Newcastle does not, including Applied Computing, Business Information Systems, Social Sciences (General), Aerospace Engineering, Community & Specialist Nursing, Journalism, Zoology & Animal Biology, Creative Arts (General) and 2 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 the West of Scotland119 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses