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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 St Andrews

St Andrews · QS World #115

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.

0/8

Open

scored higher in 0 categories

VS

8/8

St Andrews

scored higher in 8 categories

Quick Verdict

University of St Andrews leads in 8 of 8 categories where both have data (ranking, 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 St Andrews at a glance

Open University and University of St Andrews both teach 42 subject areas, the largest being French, History and German & Scandinavian Studies. Open University offers 337 courses across 68 subject areas; University of St Andrews offers 1,157 courses across 64 subject areas.

Of the 28 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of St Andrews is higher in 25 and Open University in 3. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £33,500 three years after graduating from Open University, against £51,500 from University of St Andrews. Of the 21 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of St Andrews is higher in 18 and Open University in 2, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
#115
#801
THE World
#162
—
Guardian UK
#3
1969
Established
1413
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 St Andrews

89.8%
93.2%

Satisfaction

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

£29,900
£40,000

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

72.6%
74.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

0.2%
46.1%

International

International student share

337
1157

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
62

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

St Andrews

89 countries · 46.1% international

  • 🇺🇸United States42.3%
  • 🇨🇳China9%
  • 🇩🇪Germany4%
  • 🇮🇳India4%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong3.2%

Subjects

42 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 St Andrews

Also taught at both: Psychology (General), Law, Philosophy, Sociology & Criminology, Chemistry, Teacher Training, Humanities, Education Studies, Management, Childhood & Youth Studies, Physical Geography & Climate, Physics, Statistics, Combined & General Studies, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Finance & Actuarial Science, Human Geography & Environment, Computing & IT, Geology & Earth Sciences, Environmental Sciences, English Literature, Software Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Creative Writing, Information & Library Studies, Applied & General Science, Personal & Professional Development.

Only at Open University

Only at University of St Andrews

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 St Andrews
£30,160

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

Postgraduate

Open University
No data
University of St Andrews
£27,200

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 St Andrews

  • French

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
    No dataSatisfaction95%

  • History

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    93%Satisfaction97%

  • German & Scandinavian Studies

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    No dataSatisfaction90%

  • Ancient Languages

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    93%Satisfaction100%

  • Classical Studies

    £18,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    94%Satisfaction97%

  • Economics

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£39,000
    89%Satisfaction93%

  • History of Art & Design

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    92%Satisfaction94%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£51,500
    91%Satisfaction93%

  • Mathematics

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£36,500
    93%Satisfaction94%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    92%Satisfaction95%

  • English Studies

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    89%Satisfaction92%

  • Theology & Religious Studies

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    No dataSatisfaction97%

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

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Open University

View all scholarships →

University of St Andrews

Applied Environmental Sciences MSc Awards - Women in Mining (WIM) UK

100%

Deadline: Jun 2026

Environmental Science MSc Awards - The Cunningham Scholarship UK

100%

Deadline: Jun 2026

Masters funding in Digital Health and Care

£10,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

School of Modern Languages Masters Scholarship

100%

Deadline: May 2026

University of Jordan Postgraduate Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Open University vs University of St Andrews: common questions

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

Both universities teach 42 subject areas: French, History, German & Scandinavian Studies, Ancient Languages, Classical Studies, Economics, History of Art & Design, Computer Science, Mathematics, Politics & International Relations, English Studies, Theology & Religious Studies and 30 more.

Is Open University or University of St Andrews better for French?

French graduates earn a median £19,500 three years after graduating from Open University, and £29,500 from University of St Andrews. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Open University or University of St Andrews offer more courses?

University of St Andrews lists 1,157 courses on CourseOptions and Open University lists 337 courses.

What can you study at Open University but not at University of St Andrews?

Open University teaches 26 subject areas that University of St Andrews does not, including General Engineering, Social Work, English Language, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Health & Social Care, Social Sciences (General), Accounting and 18 more.

What can you study at University of St Andrews but not at Open University?

University of St Andrews teaches 22 subject areas that Open University does not, including African & Middle Eastern Studies, Italian, Eastern European Languages, Media & Film Studies, Spanish & Portuguese, Anthropology, Medicine, Asian Languages & Studies and 14 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 St Andrews1,157 courses · 62 scholarshipsBrowse Courses