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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 West of Scotland

Paisley · Guardian UK #115

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.

2/7

Open

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

5/7

West of Scotland

scored higher in 5 categories

Quick Verdict

University of the West of Scotland leads in 5 of 7 categories where both have data (ranking, established, employment, international, graduate salary). Open University is ahead on satisfaction, courses.

Open University vs University of the West of Scotland at a glance

Open University and University of the West of Scotland both teach 32 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Law and Sociology & Criminology. Open University offers 337 courses across 68 subject areas; University of the West of Scotland offers 119 courses across 49 subject areas.

Of the 17 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Open University is higher in 14 and University of the West of Scotland in 3. The widest gap is in General Engineering: £43,500 three years after graduating from Open University, against £26,500 from University of the West of Scotland. Of the 16 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of the West of Scotland is higher in 10 and Open University in 6.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
—
#801
THE World
#601
—
Guardian UK
#115
1969
Established
1897
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 West of Scotland

89.8%
89%

Satisfaction

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

£29,900
£31,134.9

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

72.6%
81.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

0.2%
30.3%

International

International student share

337
119

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
0

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

West of Scotland

33 countries · 30.3% international

  • 🇵🇰Pakistan36.2%
  • 🌐Nepal20.4%
  • 🇮🇳India19.3%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria7.4%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh5.3%

Subjects

32 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 West of Scotland

Also taught at both: Social Sciences (General), Sport & Exercise Sciences, Accounting, Environmental Sciences, Health & Social Care, Human Geography & Environment, Politics & International Relations, Applied Psychology, Design & Fashion, Music, Biology, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Public Health & Epidemiology, Biomedical Sciences, Nursing (General), Adult Nursing, Mental Health Nursing.

Only at Open University

Only at University of the West of Scotland

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 the West of Scotland
£15,500

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

Postgraduate

Open University
No data
University of the West of Scotland
£16,280

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 the West of Scotland

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    96%SatisfactionNo data

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £17,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    89%SatisfactionNo data

  • General Engineering

    £43,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    88%Satisfaction92%

  • Childhood & Youth Studies

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    90%Satisfaction92%

  • Social Work

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    93%Satisfaction88%

  • Education Studies

    £20,000Salary (3 years)No data
    89%Satisfaction96%

  • Physics

    £38,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    98%Satisfaction95%

  • English Language

    £23,000Salary (3 years)No data
    93%Satisfaction83%

  • Health Sciences & Paramedic Science

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    91%Satisfaction99%

  • Chemistry

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    93%Satisfaction95%

  • Social Sciences (General)

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    90%Satisfaction95%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    92%Satisfaction91%

Showing the 12 largest of 19 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Open University

View all scholarships →

University of the West of Scotland

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Open University vs University of the West of Scotland: common questions

What subjects can you study at both Open University and University of the West of Scotland?

Both universities teach 32 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Law, Sociology & Criminology, General Engineering, Psychology (General), Teacher Training, Childhood & Youth Studies, Computing & IT, Mathematics, Social Work, Education Studies, Physics and 20 more.

Is Open University or University of the West of Scotland better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £24,500 three years after graduating from Open University, and £21,000 from University of the West of Scotland. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Open University or University of the West of Scotland offer more courses?

Open University lists 337 courses on CourseOptions and University of the West of Scotland lists 119 courses.

What can you study at Open University but not at University of the West of Scotland?

Open University teaches 36 subject areas that University of the West of Scotland does not, including Computer Science, History, Humanities, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Combined & General Studies, Philosophy, Economics, Software Engineering and 28 more.

What can you study at University of the West of Scotland but not at Open University?

University of the West of Scotland teaches 17 subject areas that Open University does not, including Business Studies, Applied Computing, Business Information Systems, Aerospace Engineering, Community & Specialist Nursing, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Journalism, Media & Film Studies and 9 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 West of Scotland119 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses