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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 Southampton

Southampton · QS World #111

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

Southampton

scored higher in 8 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Southampton 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 Southampton at a glance

Open University and University of Southampton both teach 52 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), General Engineering and Computer Science. Open University offers 337 courses across 68 subject areas; University of Southampton offers 545 courses across 91 subject areas.

Of the 35 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Southampton is higher in 23 and Open University in 7, with 5 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £33,500 three years after graduating from Open University, against £47,000 from University of Southampton. Of the 30 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Open University is higher in 19 and University of Southampton in 10, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
#111
#801
THE World
#129
—
Guardian UK
#16
1969
Established
1862
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 Southampton

89.8%
87%

Satisfaction

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

£29,900
£37,200

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

72.6%
82.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

0.2%
35.1%

International

International student share

337
545

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
52

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

Southampton

103 countries · 35.1% international

  • 🇨🇳China63.5%
  • 🇮🇳India4.8%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia2.8%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia2.6%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.5%

Subjects

52 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 Southampton

Also taught at both: Ancient Languages, Design & Fashion, English Literature, Economics, Philosophy, Chemistry, Politics & International Relations, Software Engineering, Accounting, Music, English Language, Health & Social Care, Computing & IT, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Human Geography & Environment, Management, Social Policy & Public Policy, Statistics, Biology, Physical Geography & Climate, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Teacher Training, Biomedical Sciences, Children's Nursing, Nursing (General), Social Sciences (General), Adult Nursing, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Human Resource Management, Information Systems & Data Science, International Development, English Studies, Applied Psychology, Creative Writing, Information & Library Studies, Mental Health Nursing, Personal & Professional Development.

Only at Open University

Only at University of Southampton

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 Southampton
£26,000

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

Postgraduate

Open University
No data
University of Southampton
£31,200

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 Southampton

  • Business & Management (General)

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£31,500
    95%Satisfaction80%

  • General Engineering

    £43,500Salary (3 years)£34,500
    88%Satisfaction90%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£47,000
    91%Satisfaction80%

  • History

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    93%Satisfaction91%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£28,500
    96%Satisfaction87%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £17,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    89%Satisfaction86%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£39,500
    No dataSatisfaction84%

  • Physics

    £38,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    98%Satisfaction87%

  • Mathematics

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    93%Satisfaction81%

  • Environmental Sciences

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    85%Satisfaction93%

  • Geology & Earth Sciences

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

  • Psychology (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    88%Satisfaction89%

Showing the 12 largest of 35 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Open University

View all scholarships →

University of Southampton

Horizon Europe fee waiver

100%

Deadline: N/A

Cowrie Foundation Scholarship

£8,000

Deadline: N/A

Xiamen University PhD Scholarships

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sociology Criminology International Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Southampton Ageing & Gerontology Talent Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Open University vs University of Southampton: common questions

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

Both universities teach 52 subject areas: Business & Management (General), General Engineering, Computer Science, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, History, Law, Sociology & Criminology, Finance & Actuarial Science, Physics, Mathematics, Humanities, Environmental Sciences and 40 more.

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

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £32,000 three years after graduating from Open University, and £31,500 from University of Southampton. Student satisfaction with teaching is 95% at Open University and 80% at University of Southampton. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Open University or University of Southampton offer more courses?

University of Southampton lists 545 courses on CourseOptions and Open University lists 337 courses.

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

Open University teaches 16 subject areas that University of Southampton does not, including Childhood & Youth Studies, Social Work, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Combined & General Studies, Classical Studies, History of Art & Design, Linguistics, Natural Sciences and 8 more.

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

University of Southampton teaches 39 subject areas that Open University does not, including Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Civil Engineering, Media & Film Studies, Archaeology, Chemical Engineering, Marine Engineering & Technology, Business Studies and 31 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 Southampton545 courses · 52 scholarshipsBrowse Courses