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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 Nottingham

Nottingham · QS World #97

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

Nottingham

scored higher in 8 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Nottingham 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 Nottingham at a glance

Open University and University of Nottingham both teach 55 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Electronic & Electrical Engineering and Business & Management (General). Open University offers 337 courses across 68 subject areas; University of Nottingham offers 580 courses across 98 subject areas.

Of the 29 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Nottingham is higher in 23 and Open University in 3, with 3 about level. The widest gap is in Sociology & Criminology: £17,000 three years after graduating from Open University, against £32,500 from University of Nottingham. Of the 26 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Open University is higher in 17 and University of Nottingham in 9.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
#97
#801
THE World
#145
—
Guardian UK
#21
1969
Established
1881
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 Nottingham

89.8%
86.6%

Satisfaction

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

£29,900
£40,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

72.6%
79.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

0.2%
21.1%

International

International student share

337
580

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
5

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

Nottingham

98 countries · 21.1% international

  • 🇨🇳China42.6%
  • 🇮🇳India9%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia4.4%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4%
  • 🇹🇷Turkey2.7%

Subjects

55 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 Nottingham

Also taught at both: Linguistics, Social Sciences (General), Finance & Actuarial Science, General Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Health & Social Care, Public Health & Epidemiology, Chemistry, Education Studies, English Language, English Studies, Management, Social Work, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Classical Studies, Environmental Sciences, History of Art & Design, Music, Design & Fashion, Natural Sciences, Applied Psychology, International Development, Theology & Religious Studies, Biology, Accounting, Ancient Languages, Applied & General Science, Creative Writing, English Literature, Human Resource Management, Information Systems & Data Science, Mental Health Nursing, Physical Geography & Climate, Statistics, Counselling & Psychotherapy, French, Geography (General), Social Policy & Public Policy, Adult Nursing, Geology & Earth Sciences.

Only at Open University

Only at University of Nottingham

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 Nottingham
£33,000

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

Postgraduate

Open University
No data
University of Nottingham
£30,800

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 Nottingham

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£36,000
    91%Satisfaction79%

  • History

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    93%Satisfaction89%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£34,000
    96%Satisfaction89%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £17,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    89%Satisfaction90%

  • Psychology (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    88%Satisfaction83%

  • Philosophy

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    91%Satisfaction93%

  • Mathematics

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    93%Satisfaction81%

  • Physics

    £38,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    98%Satisfaction88%

  • Economics

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£38,500
    89%Satisfaction83%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    92%Satisfaction88%

  • Human Geography & Environment

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    93%Satisfaction92%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    No dataSatisfaction79%

Showing the 12 largest of 29 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Open University

View all scholarships →

University of Nottingham

Taiwan Research Hub PhD Scholarship 2026/27

£11,000

Deadline: N/A

Molson Coors Award

50%

Deadline: N/A

The Witty Entrepreneurial Scholarship

£750

Deadline: N/A

Hillsborough Trust Memorial Bursary

£500

Deadline: N/A

PhD Scholarships

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Open University vs University of Nottingham: common questions

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

Both universities teach 55 subject areas: Computer Science, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Business & Management (General), Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, History, Law, Sociology & Criminology, Psychology (General), Childhood & Youth Studies, Philosophy, Mathematics, Physics and 43 more.

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

Computer Science graduates earn a median £33,500 three years after graduating from Open University, and £36,000 from University of Nottingham. Student satisfaction with teaching is 91% at Open University and 79% at University of Nottingham. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Open University or University of Nottingham offer more courses?

University of Nottingham lists 580 courses on CourseOptions and Open University lists 337 courses.

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

Open University teaches 13 subject areas that University of Nottingham does not, including Humanities, Computing & IT, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Combined & General Studies, Software Engineering, Office Administration, Teacher Training, Nursing (General) and 5 more.

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

University of Nottingham teaches 43 subject areas that Open University does not, including Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Media & Film Studies, Architecture, Biotechnology, Mechanical Engineering, Microbiology & Cell Biology and 35 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 Nottingham580 courses · 5 scholarshipsBrowse Courses