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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 Oxford

Oxford · QS World #4

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.

0/9

Open

scored higher in 0 categories

VS

9/9

Oxford

scored higher in 9 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Oxford leads in 9 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Open University does not lead in any category where both have data.

Open University vs University of Oxford at a glance

Open University and University of Oxford both teach 49 subject areas, the largest being History, Childhood & Youth Studies and Classical Studies. Open University offers 337 courses across 68 subject areas; University of Oxford offers 642 courses across 79 subject areas.

Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Oxford is higher in 21 and Open University in 1. The widest gap is in Law: £24,500 three years after graduating from Open University, against £52,500 from University of Oxford. Of the 18 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Oxford is higher in 9 and Open University in 8, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
#4
#801
THE World
#1
—
Guardian UK
#1
1969
Established
1096
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 Oxford

89.8%
92.5%

Satisfaction

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

£29,900
£50,000

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

72.6%
76.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

0.2%
37.2%

International

International student share

337
642

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
1

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

Oxford

118 countries · 37.2% international

  • 🇨🇳China18.2%
  • 🇺🇸United States16.8%
  • 🇩🇪Germany5.6%
  • 🇮🇳India5.2%
  • 🇨🇦Canada4.6%

Subjects

49 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 Oxford

Also taught at both: Humanities, Politics & International Relations, Psychology (General), Mathematics, Theology & Religious Studies, Economics, Social Work, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Music, Philosophy, Education Studies, Biology, English Language, Finance & Actuarial Science, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Biomedical Sciences, Computing & IT, Health & Social Care, Human Geography & Environment, Social Sciences (General), Statistics, Chemistry, English Literature, Public Health & Epidemiology, Software Engineering, History of Art & Design, Physical Geography & Climate, Social Policy & Public Policy, Design & Fashion, Geology & Earth Sciences, International Development, Geography (General), Information & Library Studies, Management.

Only at Open University

Only at University of Oxford

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 Oxford
£43,600

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

Postgraduate

Open University
No data
University of Oxford
£38,430

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 Oxford

  • History

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    93%Satisfaction96%

  • Classical Studies

    £18,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    94%Satisfaction95%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£51,500
    91%Satisfaction92%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£52,500
    96%SatisfactionNo data

  • English Studies

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    89%Satisfaction97%

  • German & Scandinavian Studies

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    No dataSatisfaction96%

  • General Engineering

    £43,500Salary (3 years)£40,500
    88%Satisfaction84%

  • French

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    No dataSatisfaction96%

  • Ancient Languages

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    93%Satisfaction85%

  • Physics

    £38,500Salary (3 years)£43,000
    98%Satisfaction94%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£38,500
    92%Satisfaction89%

  • Psychology (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    88%Satisfaction94%

Showing the 12 largest of 22 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Open University

View all scholarships →

University of Oxford

The Rhodes Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Open University vs University of Oxford: common questions

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

Both universities teach 49 subject areas: History, Childhood & Youth Studies, Classical Studies, Computer Science, Law, Business & Management (General), English Studies, German & Scandinavian Studies, General Engineering, Sociology & Criminology, French, Ancient Languages and 37 more.

Is Open University or University of Oxford better for History?

History graduates earn a median £23,000 three years after graduating from Open University, and £33,000 from University of Oxford. Student satisfaction with teaching is 93% at Open University and 96% at University of Oxford. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Open University or University of Oxford offer more courses?

University of Oxford lists 642 courses on CourseOptions and Open University lists 337 courses.

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

Open University teaches 19 subject areas that University of Oxford does not, including Combined & General Studies, Environmental Sciences, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Accounting, Human Resource Management, Natural Sciences, Office Administration, Teacher Training and 11 more.

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

University of Oxford teaches 30 subject areas that Open University does not, including Spanish & Portuguese, Eastern European Languages, Italian, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Clinical Specialities, Asian Languages & Studies, Anthropology, Archaeology and 22 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 Oxford642 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses