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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 Hertfordshire

Hatfield · QS World #851

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.

2/8

Open

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

6/8

Hertfordshire

scored higher in 6 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Hertfordshire leads in 6 of 8 categories where both have data (ranking, established, employment, international, graduate salary, courses). Open University is ahead on TEF, satisfaction.

Open University vs University of Hertfordshire at a glance

Open University and University of Hertfordshire both teach 47 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 Hertfordshire offers 468 courses across 86 subject areas.

Of the 31 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Open University is higher in 16 and University of Hertfordshire in 15. The widest gap is in Sociology & Criminology: £17,000 three years after graduating from Open University, against £28,500 from University of Hertfordshire. Of the 29 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Open University is higher in 17 and University of Hertfordshire in 12.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
#851
#801
THE World
#601
—
Guardian UK
#69
1969
Established
1952
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 Hertfordshire

89.8%
86.4%

Satisfaction

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

£29,900
£32,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

72.6%
83.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

0.2%
57.5%

International

International student share

337
468

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

Hertfordshire

77 countries · 57.5% international

  • 🇮🇳India44.6%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan26.4%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria10.3%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh5.5%
  • 🇨🇳China1.8%

Subjects

47 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 Hertfordshire

Also taught at both: Social Work, Education Studies, Music, Physics, Astronomy & Astrophysics, English Language, Health & Social Care, Human Resource Management, Finance & Actuarial Science, Human Geography & Environment, Philosophy, Biomedical Sciences, Computing & IT, Geography (General), Public Health & Epidemiology, Software Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, English Literature, Accounting, Economics, Mental Health Nursing, Nursing (General), Social Sciences (General), Biology, Statistics, Teacher Training, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Adult Nursing, Children's Nursing, Creative Writing, Learning Disabilities Nursing, Social Policy & Public Policy.

Only at Open University

Only at University of Hertfordshire

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 Hertfordshire
£15,500

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

Postgraduate

Open University
No data
University of Hertfordshire
£18,000

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 Hertfordshire

  • Business & Management (General)

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    95%Satisfaction85%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    91%Satisfaction78%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    96%Satisfaction89%

  • Psychology (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    88%Satisfaction86%

  • Design & Fashion

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    84%Satisfaction88%

  • History

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    93%Satisfaction97%

  • Mathematics

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    93%Satisfaction85%

  • Health Sciences & Paramedic Science

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    91%Satisfaction89%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £17,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    89%Satisfaction71%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    92%Satisfaction95%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    92%Satisfaction82%

  • Social Work

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£31,500
    93%Satisfaction87%

Showing the 12 largest of 31 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Open University

View all scholarships →

University of Hertfordshire

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Open University vs University of Hertfordshire: common questions

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

Both universities teach 47 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Childhood & Youth Studies, Computer Science, Law, Psychology (General), Design & Fashion, History, Mathematics, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Sociology & Criminology, Humanities, General Engineering and 35 more.

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

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £32,000 three years after graduating from Open University, and £26,500 from University of Hertfordshire. Student satisfaction with teaching is 95% at Open University and 85% at University of Hertfordshire. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Open University or University of Hertfordshire offer more courses?

University of Hertfordshire lists 468 courses on CourseOptions and Open University lists 337 courses.

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

Open University teaches 21 subject areas that University of Hertfordshire does not, including Combined & General Studies, Ancient Languages, Classical Studies, History of Art & Design, International Development, Linguistics, Natural Sciences, Office Administration and 13 more.

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

University of Hertfordshire teaches 39 subject areas that Open University does not, including Business Studies, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Clinical Specialities, Biotechnology, Marketing, Film Production & Cinematography, Media & Film Studies 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
U
University of Hertfordshire468 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses