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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 Salford

Salford · QS World #1001

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.

4/8

Open

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

4/8

Salford

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

Open University and University of Salford are evenly matched: each leads in 4 of 8 categories where both have data. Open University is ahead on TEF, satisfaction, graduate salary, courses; University of Salford on established, employment, international, scholarship.

Open University vs University of Salford at a glance

Open University and University of Salford both teach 38 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Computer Science and Sociology & Criminology. Open University offers 337 courses across 68 subject areas; University of Salford offers 305 courses across 72 subject areas.

Of the 28 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Open University is higher in 23 and University of Salford in 4, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Software Engineering: £38,000 three years after graduating from Open University, against £23,500 from University of Salford. Of the 24 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Open University is higher in 17 and University of Salford in 3, with 4 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
#1001
#801
THE World
#801
—
Guardian UK
#82
1969
Established
1896
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 Salford

89.8%
85.2%

Satisfaction

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

£29,900
£28,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

72.6%
82.5%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

0.2%
19.1%

International

International student share

337
305

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

Salford

63 countries · 19.1% international

  • 🇮🇳India34.8%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria27.4%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan12.9%
  • 🌐Kuwait3.7%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh2.6%

Subjects

38 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 Salford

Also taught at both: Music, Politics & International Relations, Finance & Actuarial Science, Nursing (General), Social Sciences (General), Philosophy, Software Engineering, Biology, Chemistry, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, English Literature, Physical Geography & Climate, Accounting, Applied Psychology, Geography (General), Human Resource Management, Information Systems & Data Science, Management, Creative Writing, Mental Health Nursing, Public Health & Epidemiology, Adult Nursing, Children's Nursing.

Only at Open University

Only at University of Salford

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 Salford
£17,040

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

Postgraduate

Open University
No data
University of Salford
£17,710

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 Salford

  • Business & Management (General)

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£21,500
    95%Satisfaction74%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    91%Satisfaction76%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £17,000Salary (3 years)£22,000
    89%Satisfaction80%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£20,500
    96%Satisfaction81%

  • History

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    93%Satisfaction93%

  • Psychology (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    88%Satisfaction79%

  • Design & Fashion

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£19,500
    84%Satisfaction90%

  • Mathematics

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    93%Satisfaction89%

  • Physics

    £38,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    98%Satisfaction98%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£21,500
    92%Satisfaction96%

  • Social Work

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    93%Satisfaction92%

  • Counselling & Psychotherapy

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    90%Satisfaction90%

Showing the 12 largest of 28 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Open University

View all scholarships →

University of Salford

Salford/International Nursing College Scholarships

£8,160

Deadline: N/A

Salford/EATL Data Science Scholarships

£7,100

Deadline: N/A

Global Gold Excellence Scholarship

£3,500

Deadline: N/A

Global Silver Excellence Scholarship

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

IFY Excellence Scholarship

£2,500

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Open University vs University of Salford: common questions

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

Both universities teach 38 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Computer Science, Sociology & Criminology, Law, History, Psychology (General), Design & Fashion, Mathematics, Physics, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Social Work, Counselling & Psychotherapy and 26 more.

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

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £32,000 three years after graduating from Open University, and £21,500 from University of Salford. Student satisfaction with teaching is 95% at Open University and 74% at University of Salford. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Open University or University of Salford offer more courses?

Open University lists 337 courses on CourseOptions and University of Salford lists 305 courses.

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

Open University teaches 30 subject areas that University of Salford does not, including Humanities, General Engineering, Education Studies, Childhood & Youth Studies, English Language, Computing & IT, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Combined & General Studies and 22 more.

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

University of Salford teaches 34 subject areas that Open University does not, including Building & Construction, Business Studies, Film Production & Cinematography, Drama & Theatre, Aerospace Engineering, Media & Film Studies, Marketing, Zoology & Animal Biology and 26 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 Salford305 courses · 5 scholarshipsBrowse Courses