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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

S
SOAS University of London

London · QS World #458

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.

3/9

Open

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

6/9

SOAS University of London

scored higher in 6 categories

Quick Verdict

SOAS University of London leads in 6 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, established, employment, international, graduate salary, scholarship). Open University is ahead on TEF, satisfaction, courses.

Open University vs SOAS University of London at a glance

Open University and SOAS University of London both teach 19 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Business & Management (General) and Law. Open University offers 337 courses across 68 subject areas; SOAS University of London offers 296 courses across 29 subject areas.

Of the 11 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, SOAS University of London is higher in 8 and Open University in 2, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Business & Management (General): £32,000 three years after graduating from Open University, against £27,500 from SOAS University of London. Of the 10 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Open University is higher in 9 and SOAS University of London in 1.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
#458
#801
THE World
#401
—
Guardian UK
#86
1969
Established
1916
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

SOAS University of London

89.8%
84.1%

Satisfaction

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

£29,900
£32,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

72.6%
74.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

0.2%
25.7%

International

International student share

337
296

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
27

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

SOAS University of London

67 countries · 25.7% international

  • 🇨🇳China10.9%
  • 🇮🇳India10.6%
  • 🇺🇸United States9.4%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan7.6%
  • 🇫🇷France3.6%

Subjects

19 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

SOAS University of London

Also taught at both: Finance & Actuarial Science, Theology & Religious Studies, Management, Social Policy & Public Policy.

Only at Open University

Only at SOAS 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
SOAS University of London
£23,780

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

Postgraduate

Open University
No data
SOAS University of London
£25,320

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

SOAS University of London

  • Politics & International Relations

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    92%Satisfaction90%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    95%Satisfaction82%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    96%Satisfaction77%

  • Ancient Languages

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    93%Satisfaction92%

  • History

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    93%Satisfaction89%

  • Economics

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£35,000
    89%Satisfaction83%

  • History of Art & Design

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    92%Satisfaction97%

  • Music

    £26,500Salary (3 years)No data
    94%Satisfaction87%

  • Philosophy

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    91%Satisfaction89%

  • Social Sciences (General)

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    90%Satisfaction89%

  • Accounting

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    No dataSatisfaction88%

  • Management

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    No dataSatisfaction73%

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Open University

View all scholarships →

SOAS University of London

SOAS International Academic Excellence Scholarship

£20,000

Deadline: May 2026

SOAS Sustainable Development Goal Scholarship

£15,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

Commonwealth Shared Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Programme

100%

Deadline: N/A

SOAS Academic Excellence Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: May 2026

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Open University vs SOAS University of London: common questions

What subjects can you study at both Open University and SOAS University of London?

Both universities teach 19 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Business & Management (General), Law, Ancient Languages, History, Sociology & Criminology, Economics, History of Art & Design, Music, International Development, Philosophy, Electronic & Electrical Engineering and 7 more.

Is Open University or SOAS University of London better for Politics & International Relations?

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £29,000 three years after graduating from Open University, and £31,000 from SOAS University of London. Student satisfaction with teaching is 92% at Open University and 90% at SOAS University of London. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Open University or SOAS University of London offer more courses?

Open University lists 337 courses on CourseOptions and SOAS University of London lists 296 courses.

What can you study at Open University but not at SOAS University of London?

Open University teaches 49 subject areas that SOAS University of London does not, including Computer Science, Humanities, Psychology (General), General Engineering, Mathematics, Education Studies, Childhood & Youth Studies, Social Work and 41 more.

What can you study at SOAS University of London but not at Open University?

SOAS University of London teaches 10 subject areas that Open University does not, including Media & Film Studies, Asian Languages & Studies, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Anthropology, Creative Arts (General), Civil Engineering, Cultural Studies, Archaeology and 2 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

O
Open University337 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
S
SOAS University of London296 courses · 27 scholarshipsBrowse Courses