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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

R
Royal Holloway, University of London

Egham · QS World #485

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.

2/9

Open

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

7/9

Royal Holloway

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

Royal Holloway, University of London leads in 7 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, established, employment, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Open University is ahead on TEF, satisfaction.

Open University vs Royal Holloway, University of London at a glance

Open University and Royal Holloway, University of London both teach 40 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Law and Business & Management (General). Open University offers 337 courses across 68 subject areas; Royal Holloway, University of London offers 351 courses across 60 subject areas.

Of the 26 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Royal Holloway, University of London is higher in 14 and Open University in 11, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Physics: £38,500 three years after graduating from Open University, against £27,500 from Royal Holloway, University of London. Of the 23 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Open University is higher in 18 and Royal Holloway, University of London in 4, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
#485
#801
THE World
#401
—
Guardian UK
#45
1969
Established
1879
No
Russell Group
No
Gold
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Open University

Royal Holloway, University of London

89.8%
85.7%

Satisfaction

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

£29,900
£36,152.9

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

72.6%
78.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

0.2%
16.7%

International

International student share

337
351

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
32

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

Royal Holloway

79 countries · 16.7% international

  • 🇮🇳India17.8%
  • 🇨🇳China8.2%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan8.2%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5%
  • 🇺🇸United States4.8%

Subjects

40 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

Royal Holloway, University of London

Also taught at both: German & Scandinavian Studies, English Literature, Philosophy, Social Work, Ancient Languages, Computing & IT, Human Geography & Environment, Astronomy & Astrophysics, English Language, Biology, Finance & Actuarial Science, Geography (General), Physical Geography & Climate, Accounting, French, Health & Social Care, Human Resource Management, Social Sciences (General), Applied Psychology, Biomedical Sciences, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Creative Writing, English Studies, Social Policy & Public Policy, Theology & Religious Studies.

Only at Open University

Only at Royal Holloway, University of London

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
Royal Holloway, University of London
£26,800

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

Postgraduate

Open University
No data
Royal Holloway, University of London
£26,400

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

Royal Holloway, University of London

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£41,000
    91%Satisfaction83%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)No data
    96%Satisfaction84%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £17,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    89%Satisfaction84%

  • History

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    93%Satisfaction94%

  • Mathematics

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    93%Satisfaction83%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    92%Satisfaction88%

  • Economics

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    89%Satisfaction84%

  • Geology & Earth Sciences

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    93%Satisfaction91%

  • Management

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    No dataSatisfaction83%

  • Physics

    £38,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    98%Satisfaction94%

  • Music

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    94%Satisfaction84%

  • Psychology (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    88%Satisfaction88%

Showing the 12 largest of 27 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Open University

View all scholarships →

Royal Holloway, University of London

International Partners Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Katayoon Behboodi Scholarship 2026

See details

Deadline: N/A

Mary Anning Scholarship 2026

See details

Deadline: N/A

Barbara Raw Scholarships for English

See details

Deadline: N/A

Barbara Raw for English Access Scholarship 2026

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Open University vs Royal Holloway, University of London: common questions

What subjects can you study at both Open University and Royal Holloway, University of London?

Both universities teach 40 subject areas: Computer Science, Law, Business & Management (General), Sociology & Criminology, History, Mathematics, Politics & International Relations, Economics, Geology & Earth Sciences, Management, Physics, Electronic & Electrical Engineering and 28 more.

Is Open University or Royal Holloway, University of London better for Computer Science?

Computer Science graduates earn a median £33,500 three years after graduating from Open University, and £41,000 from Royal Holloway, University of London. Student satisfaction with teaching is 91% at Open University and 83% at Royal Holloway, University of London. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Open University or Royal Holloway, University of London offer more courses?

Royal Holloway, University of London lists 351 courses on CourseOptions and Open University lists 337 courses.

What can you study at Open University but not at Royal Holloway, University of London?

Open University teaches 28 subject areas that Royal Holloway, University of London does not, including Humanities, General Engineering, Education Studies, Childhood & Youth Studies, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Combined & General Studies, Environmental Sciences, Sport & Exercise Sciences and 20 more.

What can you study at Royal Holloway, University of London but not at Open University?

Royal Holloway, University of London teaches 20 subject areas that Open University does not, including Biochemistry, Drama & Theatre, Media & Film Studies, Marketing, Ecology & Conservation, Liberal Arts, Zoology & Animal Biology, Archaeology and 12 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

O
Open University337 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
R
Royal Holloway, University of London351 courses · 32 scholarshipsBrowse Courses