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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 South Wales

Pontypridd · QS World #1201

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

South Wales

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

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

Open University vs University of South Wales at a glance

Open University and University of South Wales both teach 35 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Law and Psychology (General). Open University offers 337 courses across 68 subject areas; University of South Wales offers 331 courses across 63 subject areas.

Of the 25 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Open University is higher in 22 and University of South Wales in 3. The widest gap is in Software Engineering: £38,000 three years after graduating from Open University, against £19,500 from University of South Wales. Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Open University is higher in 12 and University of South Wales in 7, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
#1201
#801
THE World
#1201
—
Guardian UK
#83
1969
Established
1913
No
Russell Group
No
Gold
TEF Rating
—

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.

Open University

University of South Wales

89.8%
86.7%

Satisfaction

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

£29,900
£27,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

72.6%
84.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

0.2%
22%

International

International student share

337
331

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
23

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

South Wales

71 countries · 22% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria17.6%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh16.6%
  • 🇮🇳India16.1%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan15.7%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka6.6%

Subjects

35 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 South Wales

Also taught at both: Software Engineering, Social Work, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Music, Health & Social Care, Accounting, Biology, Social Sciences (General), Finance & Actuarial Science, Human Geography & Environment, Chemistry, Human Resource Management, Information Systems & Data Science, Management, Politics & International Relations, Biomedical Sciences, Statistics, Public Health & Epidemiology, English Studies, Social Policy & Public Policy.

Only at Open University

Only at University of South Wales

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 South Wales
£16,200

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

Postgraduate

Open University
No data
University of South Wales
£17,900

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 South Wales

  • Business & Management (General)

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
    95%Satisfaction94%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£20,000
    96%Satisfaction96%

  • Psychology (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    88%Satisfaction90%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    91%Satisfaction90%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £17,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    89%Satisfaction83%

  • History

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£19,500
    93%Satisfaction95%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    92%Satisfaction87%

  • Health Sciences & Paramedic Science

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    91%Satisfaction97%

  • Childhood & Youth Studies

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£18,500
    90%Satisfaction93%

  • Design & Fashion

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    84%Satisfaction88%

  • Education Studies

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£18,500
    89%Satisfaction92%

  • Nursing (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£34,500
    89%Satisfaction83%

Showing the 12 largest of 25 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Open University

View all scholarships →

University of South Wales

USW Postgraduate Refugee Sanctuary Scheme

100%

Deadline: N/A

USW Postgraduate Sanctuary Scholarship 2026/2027

100%

Deadline: Jul 2026

USW Postgraduate Sanctuary Scholarship 2027/2028

100%

Deadline: Jul 2027

USW Refugee Sanctuary Scheme

100%

Deadline: N/A

Undergraduate Sanctuary Scholarship 2026/2027

100%

Deadline: Jul 2026

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Open University vs University of South Wales: common questions

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

Both universities teach 35 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Law, Psychology (General), Computer Science, Sociology & Criminology, History, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Childhood & Youth Studies, Design & Fashion, Education Studies, Nursing (General) and 23 more.

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

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £32,000 three years after graduating from Open University, and £19,000 from University of South Wales. Student satisfaction with teaching is 95% at Open University and 94% at University of South Wales. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Open University or University of South Wales offer more courses?

Open University lists 337 courses on CourseOptions and University of South Wales lists 331 courses.

What can you study at Open University but not at University of South Wales?

Open University teaches 33 subject areas that University of South Wales does not, including Humanities, Mathematics, English Language, Computing & IT, Physics, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Combined & General Studies, Environmental Sciences and 25 more.

What can you study at University of South Wales but not at Open University?

University of South Wales teaches 28 subject areas that Open University does not, including Healthcare Science, Aerospace Engineering, Building & Construction, Film Production & Cinematography, Civil Engineering, Forensic Science, Marketing, Media & Film Studies and 20 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 South Wales331 courses · 23 scholarshipsBrowse Courses