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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 Liverpool

Liverpool · QS World #139

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.

1/9

Open

scored higher in 1 category

VS

8/9

Liverpool

scored higher in 8 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Liverpool leads in 8 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, employment, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Open University is ahead on satisfaction.

Open University vs University of Liverpool at a glance

Open University and University of Liverpool both teach 48 subject areas, the largest being Sociology & Criminology, History and Music. Open University offers 337 courses across 68 subject areas; University of Liverpool offers 793 courses across 94 subject areas.

Of the 32 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Open University is higher in 20 and University of Liverpool in 9, with 3 about level. The widest gap is in General Engineering: £43,500 three years after graduating from Open University, against £32,000 from University of Liverpool. Of the 27 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Open University is higher in 20 and University of Liverpool in 6, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
#139
#801
THE World
#143
—
Guardian UK
#28
1969
Established
1881
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 Liverpool

89.8%
87.7%

Satisfaction

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

£29,900
£34,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

72.6%
79.9%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

0.2%
24.1%

International

International student share

337
793

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
2

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

Liverpool

93 countries · 24.1% international

  • 🇨🇳China40.6%
  • 🇮🇳India17.1%
  • 🌐Kuwait4.3%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia4%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.1%

Subjects

48 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 Liverpool

Also taught at both: Humanities, General Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Psychology (General), Chemistry, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, English Language, English Literature, Biology, Childhood & Youth Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Computing & IT, Geology & Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Environment, Software Engineering, Accounting, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Biomedical Sciences, Health & Social Care, Physical Geography & Climate, Environmental Sciences, Social Policy & Public Policy, Ancient Languages, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Geography (General), Human Resource Management, Nursing (General), Public Health & Epidemiology, Design & Fashion, Information Systems & Data Science, Management, Information & Library Studies, Personal & Professional Development.

Only at Open University

Only at University of Liverpool

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 Liverpool
£32,000

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

Postgraduate

Open University
No data
University of Liverpool
£30,000

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 Liverpool

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £17,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    89%Satisfaction86%

  • History

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    93%Satisfaction93%

  • Music

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£19,000
    94%Satisfaction91%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    96%Satisfaction86%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    91%Satisfaction77%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    92%Satisfaction87%

  • Mathematics

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    93%Satisfaction82%

  • English Studies

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    89%Satisfaction90%

  • Philosophy

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    91%Satisfaction89%

  • Physics

    £38,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    98%Satisfaction95%

  • Classical Studies

    £18,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    94%Satisfaction93%

  • French

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    No dataSatisfaction96%

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

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Open University

View all scholarships →

University of Liverpool

Liverpool Advancement Scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

Postgraduate Opportunity Bursary

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Open University vs University of Liverpool: common questions

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

Both universities teach 48 subject areas: Sociology & Criminology, History, Music, Law, Computer Science, Business & Management (General), Politics & International Relations, Mathematics, English Studies, Philosophy, Physics, Classical Studies and 36 more.

Is Open University or University of Liverpool better for Sociology & Criminology?

Sociology & Criminology graduates earn a median £17,000 three years after graduating from Open University, and £24,000 from University of Liverpool. Student satisfaction with teaching is 89% at Open University and 86% at University of Liverpool. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Open University or University of Liverpool offer more courses?

University of Liverpool lists 793 courses on CourseOptions and Open University lists 337 courses.

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

Open University teaches 20 subject areas that University of Liverpool does not, including Education Studies, Social Work, Combined & General Studies, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Social Sciences (General), History of Art & Design, International Development, Linguistics and 12 more.

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

University of Liverpool teaches 46 subject areas that Open University does not, including Archaeology, Asian Languages & Studies, Media & Film Studies, Business Studies, Italian, Spanish & Portuguese, Irish Studies, Aerospace Engineering and 38 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 Liverpool793 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses