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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 Plymouth

Plymouth · QS World #691

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

Plymouth

scored higher in 6 categories

Quick Verdict

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

Open University vs University of Plymouth at a glance

Open University and University of Plymouth both teach 40 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Computer Science and Law. Open University offers 337 courses across 68 subject areas; University of Plymouth offers 310 courses across 78 subject areas.

Of the 33 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Open University is higher in 29 and University of Plymouth in 4. The widest gap is in General Engineering: £43,500 three years after graduating from Open University, against £30,500 from University of Plymouth. Of the 29 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Open University is higher in 17 and University of Plymouth in 11, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
#691
#801
THE World
#501
—
Guardian UK
#56
1969
Established
1862
No
Russell Group
No
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 Plymouth

89.8%
86.6%

Satisfaction

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

£29,900
£30,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

72.6%
84.2%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

0.2%
11.9%

International

International student share

337
310

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
10

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

Plymouth

71 countries · 11.9% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria14.6%
  • 🇨🇳China12.2%
  • 🇮🇳India11%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.7%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka3.3%

Subjects

40 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 Plymouth

Also taught at both: Physical Geography & Climate, Politics & International Relations, Social Work, Environmental Sciences, Human Geography & Environment, Adult Nursing, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Economics, Management, Software Engineering, Statistics, Chemistry, English Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Accounting, Children's Nursing, Human Resource Management, Social Sciences (General), Biology, Creative Writing, Geography (General), Mental Health Nursing, Music, Nursing (General), Applied Psychology.

Only at Open University

Only at University of Plymouth

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 Plymouth
£19,200

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

Postgraduate

Open University
No data
University of Plymouth
£19,500

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 Plymouth

  • Business & Management (General)

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    95%Satisfaction83%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    91%Satisfaction72%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£21,500
    96%Satisfaction84%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £17,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    89%Satisfaction83%

  • Psychology (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£21,500
    88%Satisfaction84%

  • History

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    93%Satisfaction94%

  • Geology & Earth Sciences

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    93%Satisfaction91%

  • Mathematics

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    93%Satisfaction86%

  • Design & Fashion

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    84%Satisfaction77%

  • Education Studies

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£19,500
    89%Satisfaction94%

  • General Engineering

    £43,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    88%Satisfaction90%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    89%Satisfaction84%

Showing the 12 largest of 33 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Open University

View all scholarships →

University of Plymouth

GREAT Scholarships

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

International Undergraduate Welcome to Plymouth Scholarship

£6,000

Deadline: N/A

Tamar Engineering Project

£4,500

Deadline: Jun 2026

International Postgraduate Welcome to Plymouth Scholarship

£4,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Open University vs University of Plymouth: common questions

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

Both universities teach 40 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Computer Science, Law, Sociology & Criminology, Psychology (General), History, Geology & Earth Sciences, Mathematics, Design & Fashion, Education Studies, General Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering and 28 more.

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

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £32,000 three years after graduating from Open University, and £24,000 from University of Plymouth. Student satisfaction with teaching is 95% at Open University and 83% at University of Plymouth. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Open University or University of Plymouth offer more courses?

Open University lists 337 courses on CourseOptions and University of Plymouth lists 310 courses.

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

Open University teaches 28 subject areas that University of Plymouth does not, including Humanities, English Language, Computing & IT, Physics, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Combined & General Studies, Philosophy, Sport & Exercise Sciences and 20 more.

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

University of Plymouth teaches 38 subject areas that Open University does not, including Civil Engineering, Ecology & Conservation, Nutrition & Dietetics, Business Studies, Dentistry, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Marine Engineering & Technology, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation and 30 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 Plymouth310 courses · 10 scholarshipsBrowse Courses