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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 Cambridge

Cambridge · QS World #6

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

Cambridge

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

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

Open University vs University of Cambridge at a glance

Open University and University of Cambridge both teach 42 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Computer Science and History. Open University offers 337 courses across 68 subject areas; University of Cambridge offers 336 courses across 79 subject areas.

Of the 16 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Cambridge is higher in 15 and Open University in 1. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £33,500 three years after graduating from Open University, against £63,500 from University of Cambridge. Of the 15 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Cambridge is higher in 11 and Open University in 3, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
#6
#801
THE World
#3
—
Guardian UK
#2
1969
Established
1209
No
Russell Group
Yes
Gold
TEF Rating
Gold

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Open University

University of Cambridge

89.8%
92.1%

Satisfaction

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

£29,900
£49,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

72.6%
76.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

0.2%
32.2%

International

International student share

337
336

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
0

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

Cambridge

96 countries · 32.2% international

  • 🇨🇳China28.2%
  • 🇺🇸United States10.3%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore6.6%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5.3%
  • 🇮🇳India4.7%

Subjects

42 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 Cambridge

Also taught at both: Philosophy, Politics & International Relations, Human Geography & Environment, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Biology, Computing & IT, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Management, Classical Studies, History of Art & Design, Music, Software Engineering, Theology & Religious Studies, Ancient Languages, Chemistry, Geography (General), Health & Social Care, Linguistics, Creative Writing, English Studies, Information Systems & Data Science, International Development, Statistics, Social Policy & Public Policy, Geology & Earth Sciences, Information & Library Studies.

Only at Open University

Only at University of Cambridge

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 Cambridge
£32,890

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

Postgraduate

Open University
No data
University of Cambridge
£41,300

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 Cambridge

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£63,500
    91%Satisfaction94%

  • History

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    93%Satisfaction95%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£49,000
    96%Satisfaction96%

  • General Engineering

    £43,500Salary (3 years)£39,500
    88%Satisfaction87%

  • Mathematics

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£44,500
    93%Satisfaction94%

  • Psychology (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    88%Satisfaction92%

  • Economics

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£59,500
    89%Satisfaction86%

  • Education Studies

    £20,000Salary (3 years)No data
    89%Satisfaction92%

  • Philosophy

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    91%Satisfaction93%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£34,000
    92%SatisfactionNo data

  • Classical Studies

    £18,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    94%Satisfaction96%

  • History of Art & Design

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    92%Satisfaction86%

Showing the 12 largest of 17 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Open University

View all scholarships →

University of Cambridge

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Open University vs University of Cambridge: common questions

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

Both universities teach 42 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Computer Science, History, Law, Sociology & Criminology, General Engineering, Mathematics, Childhood & Youth Studies, Humanities, Psychology (General), Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Physics and 30 more.

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

Computer Science graduates earn a median £33,500 three years after graduating from Open University, and £63,500 from University of Cambridge. Student satisfaction with teaching is 91% at Open University and 94% at University of Cambridge. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Open University or University of Cambridge offer more courses?

Open University lists 337 courses on CourseOptions and University of Cambridge lists 336 courses.

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

Open University teaches 26 subject areas that University of Cambridge does not, including Social Work, English Language, Combined & General Studies, Environmental Sciences, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Social Sciences (General), Accounting, Design & Fashion and 18 more.

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

University of Cambridge teaches 37 subject areas that Open University does not, including Biological Sciences (General), Asian Languages & Studies, Archaeology, Architecture, Clinical Specialities, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Genetics & Genomics, Anatomy & Pathology and 29 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 Cambridge336 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses