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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 the Highlands and Islands (UHI)

Oban

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 7 datapoints

We looked at 7 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

3/7

Open

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

4/7

Highlands and Islands (UHI)

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) leads in 4 of 7 categories where both have data (satisfaction, employment, international, scholarship). Open University is ahead on established, graduate salary, courses.

Open University vs University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) at a glance

Open University and University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) both teach 42 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, History and Business & Management (General). Open University offers 337 courses across 68 subject areas; University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) offers 244 courses across 70 subject areas.

Of the 27 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Open University is higher in 23 and University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) in 3, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in General Engineering: £43,500 three years after graduating from Open University, against £21,000 from University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI). Of the 24 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Open University is higher in 12 and University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) in 11, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
—
#801
THE World
—
—
Guardian UK
—
1969
Established
2011
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 the Highlands and Islands (UHI)

89.8%
90.2%

Satisfaction

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

£29,900
£25,600

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

72.6%
85%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

0.2%
2.1%

International

International student share

337
244

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
11

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

Highlands and Islands (UHI)

17 countries · 2.1% international

  • 🇺🇸United States11.1%
  • 🌐Brunei8.3%
  • 🇮🇪Ireland8.3%
  • 🇨🇦Canada5.6%
  • 🇩🇪Germany5.6%

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 the Highlands and Islands (UHI)

Also taught at both: Human Geography & Environment, Politics & International Relations, Environmental Sciences, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Physical Geography & Climate, Physics, Accounting, Design & Fashion, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Social Sciences (General), Ancient Languages, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Software Engineering, Geology & Earth Sciences, Chemistry, Geography (General), Information Systems & Data Science, Management, Nursing (General), Theology & Religious Studies, Adult Nursing, Applied & General Science, Creative Writing, English Studies, German & Scandinavian Studies, Mental Health Nursing, Personal & Professional Development.

Only at Open University

Only at University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI)

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 the Highlands and Islands (UHI)

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£18,500
    91%Satisfaction89%

  • History

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£17,000
    93%Satisfaction98%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£18,000
    95%Satisfaction85%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £17,000Salary (3 years)£18,500
    89%Satisfaction95%

  • General Engineering

    £43,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    88%Satisfaction90%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£15,500
    92%Satisfaction79%

  • Music

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£13,500
    94%Satisfaction88%

  • Philosophy

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£17,000
    91%Satisfaction94%

  • Psychology (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    88%Satisfaction88%

  • Childhood & Youth Studies

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£18,500
    90%Satisfaction98%

  • English Literature

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    94%Satisfaction90%

  • Health & Social Care

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£18,500
    89%Satisfaction84%

Showing the 12 largest of 29 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Open University

View all scholarships →

University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI)

Barns-Graham Travel Scholarship

£1,500

Deadline: Oct 2026

Scottish Land Commission Prize

£1,000

Deadline: N/A

Barns-Graham Assistance Award

£1,000

Deadline: Oct 2026

Dorothy Dunnett Centenary Awards

£1,000

Deadline: Dec 2026

Rural and Islands Bursary Fund

£1,000

Deadline: Oct 2026

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Open University vs University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI): common questions

What subjects can you study at both Open University and University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI)?

Both universities teach 42 subject areas: Computer Science, History, Business & Management (General), Sociology & Criminology, Teacher Training, General Engineering, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Music, Philosophy, Psychology (General), Childhood & Youth Studies, English Literature and 30 more.

Is Open University or University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) better for Computer Science?

Computer Science graduates earn a median £33,500 three years after graduating from Open University, and £18,500 from University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI). Student satisfaction with teaching is 91% at Open University and 89% at University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI). Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Open University or University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) offer more courses?

Open University lists 337 courses on CourseOptions and University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) lists 244 courses.

What can you study at Open University but not at University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI)?

Open University teaches 26 subject areas that University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) does not, including Law, Humanities, Social Work, English Language, Computing & IT, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Combined & General Studies, Economics and 18 more.

What can you study at University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) but not at Open University?

University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) teaches 28 subject areas that Open University does not, including Cultural Studies, Archaeology, Agriculture & Land Management, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Fine Art, Drama & Theatre, Complementary & Alternative Medicine, Scottish Gaelic 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 the Highlands and Islands (UHI)244 courses · 11 scholarshipsBrowse Courses