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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
Swansea University

Swansea · QS World #322

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

Swansea

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

Swansea University leads in 7 of 8 categories where both have data (ranking, established, employment, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Open University is ahead on satisfaction.

Open University vs Swansea University at a glance

Open University and Swansea University both teach 58 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Law and Business & Management (General). Open University offers 337 courses across 68 subject areas; Swansea University offers 916 courses across 97 subject areas.

Of the 37 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Open University is higher in 31 and Swansea University in 6. The widest gap is in General Engineering: £43,500 three years after graduating from Open University, against £29,500 from Swansea University. Of the 34 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Open University is higher in 21 and Swansea University in 12, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
#322
#801
THE World
#301
—
Guardian UK
#32
1969
Established
1920
No
Russell Group
No
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

Swansea University

89.8%
86.1%

Satisfaction

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

£29,900
£31,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

72.6%
78.5%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

0.2%
14.1%

International

International student share

337
916

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
5

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

Swansea

73 countries · 14.1% international

  • 🇮🇳India25.4%
  • 🇨🇳China12.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria8.2%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia4.5%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong3.9%

Subjects

58 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

Swansea University

Also taught at both: Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Childhood & Youth Studies, Humanities, Biomedical Sciences, Classical Studies, English Literature, Health & Social Care, Human Geography & Environment, Biology, Philosophy, English Language, Accounting, Social Work, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Chemistry, Environmental Sciences, Physical Geography & Climate, Computing & IT, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Combined & General Studies, Linguistics, Social Policy & Public Policy, English Studies, Human Resource Management, Software Engineering, Nursing (General), Social Sciences (General), Creative Writing, Design & Fashion, Geology & Earth Sciences, Public Health & Epidemiology, Adult Nursing, Information & Library Studies, International Development, Mental Health Nursing, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Geography (General), Information Systems & Data Science, Management, Applied Psychology, Children's Nursing, Learning Disabilities Nursing, Theology & Religious Studies.

Only at Open University

Only at Swansea University

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
Swansea University
£21,550

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

Postgraduate

Open University
No data
Swansea University
£22,950

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

Swansea University

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£31,500
    91%Satisfaction84%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    96%Satisfaction82%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    95%SatisfactionNo data

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £17,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    89%Satisfaction87%

  • History

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£21,500
    93%Satisfaction90%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    92%Satisfaction90%

  • Mathematics

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    93%Satisfaction86%

  • Economics

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    89%Satisfaction90%

  • Health Sciences & Paramedic Science

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£20,500
    91%Satisfaction97%

  • Physics

    £38,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    98%Satisfaction91%

  • Education Studies

    £20,000Salary (3 years)No data
    89%Satisfaction90%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    No dataSatisfaction90%

Showing the 12 largest of 39 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Open University

View all scholarships →

Swansea University

History and Heritage Studies: AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership Studentship (Fully Funded) in History with Museum Wales (RS950)

100%

Deadline: N/A

History: AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership Studentship (Fully Funded) in History with The National Archives (RS948)

100%

Deadline: N/A

History: AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership Studentship in History with Museum Wales (RS949)

See details

Deadline: N/A

PhD Studentship in Sustainable Fusion Steels: Whole Lifecycle Design of Tokamak Vacuum Vessel Steels (RS964)

See details

Deadline: N/A

Swansea University International Postgraduate Research Excellence Scholarships 2025/26

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Open University vs Swansea University: common questions

What subjects can you study at both Open University and Swansea University?

Both universities teach 58 subject areas: Computer Science, Law, Business & Management (General), Sociology & Criminology, History, Politics & International Relations, Mathematics, Economics, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Physics, Education Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science and 46 more.

Is Open University or Swansea University better for Computer Science?

Computer Science graduates earn a median £33,500 three years after graduating from Open University, and £31,500 from Swansea University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 91% at Open University and 84% at Swansea University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Open University or Swansea University offer more courses?

Swansea University lists 916 courses on CourseOptions and Open University lists 337 courses.

What can you study at Open University but not at Swansea University?

Open University teaches 10 subject areas that Swansea University does not, including Ancient Languages, History of Art & Design, Music, Natural Sciences, Office Administration, Statistics, French, Applied & General Science and 2 more.

What can you study at Swansea University but not at Open University?

Swansea University teaches 39 subject areas that Open University does not, including Business Studies, Civil Engineering, Genetics & Genomics, Media & Film Studies, American & Comparative Studies, Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry, Medical Sciences and 31 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
Swansea University916 courses · 5 scholarshipsBrowse Courses