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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 Chester

Chester · Guardian UK #91

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.

5/9

Open

scored higher in 5 categories

VS

4/9

Chester

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

Open University leads in 5 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, TEF, satisfaction, graduate salary, courses). University of Chester is ahead on established, employment, international, scholarship.

Open University vs University of Chester at a glance

Open University and University of Chester both teach 44 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Childhood & Youth Studies and Computer Science. Open University offers 337 courses across 68 subject areas; University of Chester offers 329 courses across 73 subject areas.

Of the 31 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Open University is higher in 27 and University of Chester in 4. The widest gap is in Software Engineering: £38,000 three years after graduating from Open University, against £23,000 from University of Chester. Of the 24 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Open University is higher in 20 and University of Chester in 4.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
—
#801
THE World
#1501
—
Guardian UK
#91
1969
Established
1839
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

University of Chester

89.8%
83.9%

Satisfaction

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

£29,900
£27,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

72.6%
84.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

0.2%
28.7%

International

International student share

337
329

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
3

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

Chester

52 countries · 28.7% international

  • 🇮🇳India32.1%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan26.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria11.7%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka7.1%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh2.8%

Subjects

44 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 Chester

Also taught at both: General Engineering, Sport & Exercise Sciences, English Language, Geography (General), Accounting, Finance & Actuarial Science, Computing & IT, Music, Social Sciences (General), Adult Nursing, Ancient Languages, Biomedical Sciences, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Mental Health Nursing, Teacher Training, Biology, English Literature, Health & Social Care, Information Systems & Data Science, Learning Disabilities Nursing, Theology & Religious Studies, Applied Psychology, Chemistry, Children's Nursing, Creative Writing, Public Health & Epidemiology, English Studies, French, Information & Library Studies.

Only at Open University

Only at University of Chester

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 Chester
£14,950

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

Postgraduate

Open University
No data
University of Chester
£15,500

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 Chester

  • Business & Management (General)

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£21,500
    95%Satisfaction79%

  • Childhood & Youth Studies

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    90%SatisfactionNo data

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    91%Satisfaction83%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £17,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    89%Satisfaction86%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£20,000
    96%Satisfaction89%

  • Psychology (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£20,500
    88%Satisfaction82%

  • History

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£19,500
    93%Satisfaction94%

  • Mathematics

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    93%SatisfactionNo data

  • Politics & International Relations

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    92%Satisfaction86%

  • Design & Fashion

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
    84%Satisfaction82%

  • Social Work

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    93%Satisfaction73%

  • Software Engineering

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    No dataSatisfaction66%

Showing the 12 largest of 32 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Open University

View all scholarships →

University of Chester

NHS Learning Support Fund

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

Visit Us Travel Bursary

£100

Deadline: N/A

Futures Employability Fund

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Open University vs University of Chester: common questions

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

Both universities teach 44 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Childhood & Youth Studies, Computer Science, Sociology & Criminology, Law, Psychology (General), History, Humanities, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Mathematics, Politics & International Relations, Design & Fashion and 32 more.

Is Open University or University of Chester better for Business & Management (General)?

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £32,000 three years after graduating from Open University, and £21,500 from University of Chester. Student satisfaction with teaching is 95% at Open University and 79% at University of Chester. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Open University or University of Chester offer more courses?

Open University lists 337 courses on CourseOptions and University of Chester lists 329 courses.

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

Open University teaches 24 subject areas that University of Chester does not, including Physics, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Combined & General Studies, Environmental Sciences, Human Geography & Environment, Philosophy, Economics, Classical Studies and 16 more.

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

University of Chester teaches 29 subject areas that Open University does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Archaeology, Marketing, Nutrition & Dietetics, Journalism, Animal Science, Agriculture & Land Management, Games Design & Computer Animation and 21 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 Chester329 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses