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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
University of Bristol

Bristol · QS World #57

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

Bristol

scored higher in 8 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Bristol 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 University of Bristol at a glance

Open University and University of Bristol both teach 50 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Law and Mathematics. Open University offers 337 courses across 68 subject areas; University of Bristol offers 479 courses across 83 subject areas.

Of the 27 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Bristol is higher in 22 and Open University in 5. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £33,500 three years after graduating from Open University, against £48,000 from University of Bristol. Of the 24 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Open University is higher in 14 and University of Bristol in 7, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
#57
#801
THE World
#80
—
Guardian UK
#13
1969
Established
1876
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

University of Bristol

89.8%
88%

Satisfaction

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

£29,900
£43,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

72.6%
77.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

0.2%
33.6%

International

International student share

337
479

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
54

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

Bristol

104 countries · 33.6% international

  • 🇨🇳China53.5%
  • 🇮🇳India7.2%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong3.8%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.6%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore2.8%

Subjects

50 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

University of Bristol

Also taught at both: Philosophy, Social Policy & Public Policy, Social Work, Ancient Languages, Chemistry, Geology & Earth Sciences, Accounting, Music, Physical Geography & Climate, English Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Childhood & Youth Studies, Human Geography & Environment, Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Classical Studies, Computing & IT, Design & Fashion, History of Art & Design, Statistics, Health & Social Care, Social Sciences (General), Software Engineering, Theology & Religious Studies, French, Human Resource Management, Linguistics, Geography (General), German & Scandinavian Studies, Information Systems & Data Science, Public Health & Epidemiology, Applied & General Science, Creative Writing, Information & Library Studies.

Only at Open University

Only at University of Bristol

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
University of Bristol
£31,300

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

Postgraduate

Open University
No data
University of Bristol
£28,460

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

University of Bristol

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£48,000
    91%Satisfaction93%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£35,000
    96%Satisfaction87%

  • Mathematics

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£34,500
    93%Satisfaction87%

  • History

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    93%Satisfaction90%

  • Physics

    £38,500Salary (3 years)£34,500
    98%Satisfaction89%

  • Economics

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£42,000
    89%Satisfaction81%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £17,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    89%Satisfaction88%

  • Management

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£44,000
    No dataSatisfaction84%

  • Psychology (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    88%Satisfaction89%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    92%Satisfaction89%

  • Education Studies

    £20,000Salary (3 years)No data
    89%Satisfaction88%

  • General Engineering

    £43,500Salary (3 years)£34,000
    88%Satisfaction91%

Showing the 12 largest of 28 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Open University

View all scholarships →

University of Bristol

Black Heritage PhD Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Black heritage PhD scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Bristol Postgraduate Research Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Bristol Postgraduate Research Scholarships for applicants of Black heritage

100%

Deadline: N/A

British Council scholarships for Women

100%

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Open University vs University of Bristol: common questions

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

Both universities teach 50 subject areas: Computer Science, Law, Mathematics, Business & Management (General), History, Physics, Economics, Sociology & Criminology, Management, Psychology (General), Politics & International Relations, Humanities and 38 more.

Is Open University or University of Bristol better for Computer Science?

Computer Science graduates earn a median £33,500 three years after graduating from Open University, and £48,000 from University of Bristol. Student satisfaction with teaching is 91% at Open University and 93% at University of Bristol. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Open University or University of Bristol offer more courses?

University of Bristol lists 479 courses on CourseOptions and Open University lists 337 courses.

What can you study at Open University but not at University of Bristol?

Open University teaches 18 subject areas that University of Bristol does not, including English Language, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Combined & General Studies, Environmental Sciences, Sport & Exercise Sciences, English Literature, International Development, Natural Sciences and 10 more.

What can you study at University of Bristol but not at Open University?

University of Bristol teaches 33 subject areas that Open University does not, including Anatomy & Pathology, Dentistry, Biochemistry, Drama & Theatre, Film Production & Cinematography, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Civil Engineering and 25 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
University of Bristol479 courses · 54 scholarshipsBrowse Courses