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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

U
UCL (University College London)

Camden · QS World #8

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 10 datapoints

We looked at 10 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

2/10

Open

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

8/10

UCL (University College London)

scored higher in 8 categories

Quick Verdict

UCL (University College London) leads in 8 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, employment, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Open University is ahead on TEF, satisfaction.

Open University vs UCL (University College London) at a glance

Open University and UCL (University College London) both teach 54 subject areas, the largest being German & Scandinavian Studies, Childhood & Youth Studies and Computer Science. Open University offers 337 courses across 68 subject areas; UCL (University College London) offers 1,131 courses across 109 subject areas.

Of the 31 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, UCL (University College London) is higher in 30 and Open University in 1. The widest gap is in Childhood & Youth Studies: £22,500 three years after graduating from Open University, against £41,500 from UCL (University College London). Of the 29 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Open University is higher in 21 and UCL (University College London) in 7, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
#8
#801
THE World
#22
—
Guardian UK
#9
1969
Established
1826
No
Russell Group
Yes
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

UCL (University College London)

89.8%
86.5%

Satisfaction

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

£29,900
£46,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

72.6%
80.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

0.2%
51.9%

International

International student share

337
1131

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
18

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

UCL (University College London)

127 countries · 51.9% international

  • 🇨🇳China53.3%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.9%
  • 🇺🇸United States4.2%
  • 🇮🇳India3.4%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore2.4%

Subjects

54 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

UCL (University College London)

Also taught at both: French, General Engineering, Physics, Geology & Earth Sciences, Management, Philosophy, Education Studies, Human Geography & Environment, Humanities, Design & Fashion, Health & Social Care, Linguistics, Chemistry, Geography (General), Public Health & Epidemiology, Computing & IT, Statistics, Software Engineering, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Biology, English Language, Finance & Actuarial Science, Social Policy & Public Policy, Social Sciences (General), Classical Studies, Combined & General Studies, Physical Geography & Climate, Mental Health Nursing, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Theology & Religious Studies, English Studies, History of Art & Design, Information & Library Studies, International Development, Music, Accounting, English Literature, Information Systems & Data Science, Creative Writing.

Only at Open University

Only at UCL (University College 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
UCL (University College London)
£29,800

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

Postgraduate

Open University
No data
UCL (University College London)
£34,700

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

UCL (University College London)

  • German & Scandinavian Studies

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    No dataSatisfaction95%

  • Childhood & Youth Studies

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£41,500
    90%Satisfaction84%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£51,000
    91%Satisfaction80%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£38,000
    95%Satisfaction93%

  • Psychology (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    88%Satisfaction90%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £17,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    89%Satisfaction87%

  • Ancient Languages

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    93%Satisfaction92%

  • Mathematics

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£41,000
    93%Satisfaction87%

  • History

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    93%Satisfaction91%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£34,500
    89%Satisfaction79%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£41,000
    96%Satisfaction92%

  • Economics

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£45,000
    89%Satisfaction79%

Showing the 12 largest of 33 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Open University

View all scholarships →

UCL (University College London)

Commercial Bar Opportunity Scholarship

£25,000

Deadline: N/A

AHRC Doctoral Landscape Award

100%

Deadline: N/A

UCL Department of Arts and Sciences (UASc) Interdisciplinary Excellence PhD Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Law Society Pro Bono Bursary

£250

Deadline: N/A

Alonso Gurmendi Dunkelberg, UCL Graduate Research Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Open University vs UCL (University College London): common questions

What subjects can you study at both Open University and UCL (University College London)?

Both universities teach 54 subject areas: German & Scandinavian Studies, Childhood & Youth Studies, Computer Science, Business & Management (General), Psychology (General), Sociology & Criminology, Ancient Languages, Mathematics, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, History, Biomedical Sciences, Law and 42 more.

Is Open University or UCL (University College London) better for German & Scandinavian Studies?

German & Scandinavian Studies graduates earn a median £19,500 three years after graduating from Open University, and £31,000 from UCL (University College London). Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Open University or UCL (University College London) offer more courses?

UCL (University College London) lists 1,131 courses on CourseOptions and Open University lists 337 courses.

What can you study at Open University but not at UCL (University College London)?

Open University teaches 14 subject areas that UCL (University College London) does not, including Social Work, Environmental Sciences, Human Resource Management, Natural Sciences, Office Administration, Teacher Training, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Nursing (General) and 6 more.

What can you study at UCL (University College London) but not at Open University?

UCL (University College London) teaches 55 subject areas that Open University does not, including Eastern European Languages, Planning & Housing, Civil Engineering, Italian, Chemical Engineering, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Architecture, Anthropology and 47 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

O
Open University337 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
UCL (University College London)1,131 courses · 18 scholarshipsBrowse Courses