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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.

O
Open University

None · THE World #801

Q
Queen's University Belfast

Belfast · QS World #174

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.

1/8

Open

scored higher in 1 category

VS

7/8

Queen's University Belfast

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

Queen's University Belfast leads in 7 of 8 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, employment, international, courses, scholarship). Open University is ahead on satisfaction.

Open University vs Queen's University Belfast at a glance

Open University and Queen's University Belfast both teach 49 subject areas, the largest being Law, Computer Science and Business & Management (General). Open University offers 337 courses across 68 subject areas; Queen's University Belfast offers 494 courses across 93 subject areas.

Of the 23 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Open University is higher in 15 and Queen's University Belfast in 8.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
#174
#801
THE World
#198
—
Guardian UK
#36
1969
Established
1845
No
Russell Group
Yes
Gold
TEF Rating
—

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Open University

Queen's University Belfast

89.8%
86.4%

Satisfaction

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

£29,900
No data

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

72.6%
84.9%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

0.2%
21.9%

International

International student share

337
494

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
1

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.

Open

25 countries · 0.2% international

  • 🇩🇪Germany8.9%
  • 🌐Cyprus (European Union)6.7%
  • 🇫🇷France6.7%
  • 🇨🇳China4.4%
  • 🇮🇳India4.4%
VS

Queen's University Belfast

74 countries · 21.9% international

  • 🇮🇪Ireland30.3%
  • 🇮🇳India14.3%
  • 🇨🇳China11%
  • 🇺🇸United States7%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia5%

Subjects

49 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.

Open University

Queen's University Belfast

Also taught at both: Chemistry, Economics, Education Studies, Software Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Philosophy, Finance & Actuarial Science, French, Human Geography & Environment, Computing & IT, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Physical Geography & Climate, Social Sciences (General), Accounting, Music, Nursing (General), Astronomy & Astrophysics, Environmental Sciences, Linguistics, Design & Fashion, Geology & Earth Sciences, Health & Social Care, Public Health & Epidemiology, Social Policy & Public Policy, Ancient Languages, Biomedical Sciences, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Geography (General), Human Resource Management, Adult Nursing, Children's Nursing, Information Systems & Data Science, Mental Health Nursing, Learning Disabilities Nursing.

Only at Open University

Only at Queen's University Belfast

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

Open University
No data
Queen's University Belfast
£20,800

We do not have reliable international fee data for Open University yet.

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.

Open University

Queen's University Belfast

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)No data
    96%Satisfaction86%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)No data
    91%Satisfaction72%

  • History

    £23,000Salary (3 years)No data
    93%Satisfaction91%

  • Mathematics

    £30,000Salary (3 years)No data
    93%Satisfaction87%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £17,000Salary (3 years)No data
    89%Satisfaction87%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £29,000Salary (3 years)No data
    92%Satisfaction84%

  • Psychology (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)No data
    88%Satisfaction86%

  • English Studies

    £23,000Salary (3 years)No data
    89%Satisfaction91%

  • Humanities

    £21,000Salary (3 years)No data
    94%Satisfaction89%

  • Social Work

    £33,000Salary (3 years)No data
    93%Satisfaction89%

  • Physics

    £38,500Salary (3 years)No data
    98%Satisfaction90%

  • Chemistry

    £27,000Salary (3 years)No data
    93%Satisfaction97%

Showing the 12 largest of 23 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Open University

View all scholarships →

Queen's University Belfast

Future-Ready Award

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Open University vs Queen's University Belfast: common questions

What subjects can you study at both Open University and Queen's University Belfast?

Both universities teach 49 subject areas: Law, Computer Science, Business & Management (General), History, Mathematics, Sociology & Criminology, Politics & International Relations, Psychology (General), English Studies, Humanities, Social Work, General Engineering and 37 more.

Does Open University or Queen's University Belfast offer more courses?

Queen's University Belfast lists 494 courses on CourseOptions and Open University lists 337 courses.

What can you study at Open University but not at Queen's University Belfast?

Open University teaches 19 subject areas that Queen's University Belfast does not, including English Language, Combined & General Studies, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Biology, Classical Studies, English Literature, History of Art & Design, International Development and 11 more.

What can you study at Queen's University Belfast but not at Open University?

Queen's University Belfast teaches 44 subject areas that Open University does not, including Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Anthropology, Irish Studies, Media & Film Studies, Planning & Housing, Archaeology, Biological Sciences (General) and 36 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

O
Open University337 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
Q
Queen's University Belfast494 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses