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.
Edinburgh · QS World #1201
Portsmouth · QS World #662
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.
2/8
Queen Margaret
scored higher in 2 categories
6/8
Portsmouth
scored higher in 6 categories
Quick Verdict
University of Portsmouth leads in 6 of 8 categories where both have data (ranking, established, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh is ahead on satisfaction, employment.
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh vs University of Portsmouth at a glance
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh and University of Portsmouth both teach 18 subject areas, the largest being Sociology & Criminology, Business & Management (General) and Politics & International Relations. Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh offers 68 courses across 25 subject areas; University of Portsmouth offers 446 courses across 84 subject areas.
For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,460 a year at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh and £18,600 at University of Portsmouth, so the two cost about the same.
Of the 12 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Portsmouth is higher in 11 and Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh in 1. The widest gap is in Marketing: £22,000 three years after graduating from Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, against £28,000 from University of Portsmouth. Of the 14 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh is higher in 7 and University of Portsmouth in 7.
World & National Rankings
Compare world and national league table positions, TEF ratings, and Russell Group membership.
Visual Breakdown
Key metrics at a glance
Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
University of Portsmouth
Satisfaction
Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)
Graduate Salaries (5y)
Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation
Employment
Graduate employment rate
International
International student share
Course Counts
Number of courses offered
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.
Queen Margaret
51 countries · 18.6% international
- 🇮🇪Ireland29%
- 🌐Nepal9.8%
- 🇨🇦Canada8.2%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria6.1%
- 🇺🇸United States4.5%
Portsmouth
96 countries · 24.5% international
- 🇮🇳India22.1%
- 🇨🇳China11.6%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria7.8%
- 🌐Kuwait7.1%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan5.6%
Subjects
18 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.
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
University of Portsmouth
Sociology & Criminology
2 coursesFee not available
20 coursesTypical fee £17,900 (UG)
Business & Management (General)
7 coursesTypical fee £18,460 (PG)
12 coursesTypical fee £17,200 (UG)
Politics & International Relations
2 coursesFee not available
16 coursesTypical fee £17,900 (UG)
Business Studies
4 coursesTypical fee £18,460 (PG)
13 coursesTypical fee £17,900 (UG)
Education Studies
3 coursesTypical fee £17,580 (PG)
14 coursesTypical fee £17,900 (UG)
Design & Fashion
1 courseFee not available
13 coursesTypical fee £17,900 (UG)
Teacher Training
Marketing
Media & Film Studies
Psychology (General)
Counselling & Psychotherapy
Finance & Actuarial Science
Adult Nursing
Health Sciences & Paramedic Science
Hospitality, Events & Tourism
Also taught at both: Drama & Theatre, Medical Imaging, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation.
Only at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
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
- Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
- No data
- University of Portsmouth
- £17,900
We do not have reliable international fee data for Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh yet.
Postgraduate
- Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
- £18,460
- University of Portsmouth
- £18,600
About the same.
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.
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
University of Portsmouth
Sociology & Criminology
£21,000Salary (3 years)£24,00094%Satisfaction87%Business & Management (General)
£22,000Salary (3 years)£26,50092%Satisfaction87%Education Studies
No dataSalary (3 years)£21,00088%Satisfaction89%Design & Fashion
£19,500Salary (3 years)£21,50095%Satisfaction83%Teacher Training
No dataSalary (3 years)£27,50090%Satisfaction68%Marketing
£22,000Salary (3 years)£28,00076%Satisfaction86%Media & Film Studies
£20,000Salary (3 years)£21,50088%Satisfaction85%Psychology (General)
£21,000Salary (3 years)£23,50082%Satisfaction86%Counselling & Psychotherapy
£25,000Salary (3 years)£29,00088%Satisfaction100%Adult Nursing
£30,000Salary (3 years)£29,000100%Satisfaction95%Health Sciences & Paramedic Science
£24,500Salary (3 years)£25,00088%Satisfaction89%Hospitality, Events & Tourism
£22,000Salary (3 years)£22,50086%Satisfaction87%
Showing the 12 largest of 14 shared subjects with published outcomes.
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveQueen Margaret University, Edinburgh
Scottish Highlands & Islands Schools Scholarship
£500
Deadline: Jun 2026
Alison Scott Scholarship
See details
Deadline: N/A
The Alison Scott Scholarship
See details
Deadline: N/A
University of Portsmouth
Portsmouth Football Club Partnership Scholarship
£3,000
Deadline: N/A
Estée Lauder Companies - Whitman Scholarship
See details
Deadline: N/A
Portsmouth Football Club Partnership Scholarship
See details
Deadline: N/A
Sanctuary Language Bursary
See details
Deadline: N/A
Sanctuary Scholarship
See details
Deadline: N/A
FAQ
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh vs University of Portsmouth: common questions
Is Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh or University of Portsmouth cheaper for international students?
For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,460 a year at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh and £18,600 at University of Portsmouth, so the two cost about the same. These are medians of the international tuition fees each university publishes for its courses; the fee for a specific course is on its course page.
What subjects can you study at both Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh and University of Portsmouth?
Both universities teach 18 subject areas: Sociology & Criminology, Business & Management (General), Politics & International Relations, Business Studies, Education Studies, Design & Fashion, Teacher Training, Marketing, Media & Film Studies, Psychology (General), Counselling & Psychotherapy, Finance & Actuarial Science and 6 more.
Is Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh or University of Portsmouth better for Sociology & Criminology?
Sociology & Criminology graduates earn a median £21,000 three years after graduating from Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, and £24,000 from University of Portsmouth. Student satisfaction with teaching is 94% at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh and 87% at University of Portsmouth. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh or University of Portsmouth offer more courses?
University of Portsmouth lists 446 courses on CourseOptions and Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh lists 68 courses.
What can you study at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh but not at University of Portsmouth?
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh teaches 7 subject areas that University of Portsmouth does not, including Nutrition & Dietetics, Complementary & Alternative Medicine, Cultural Studies, Classical Studies, Clinical Specialities, Health & Social Care and Public Relations.
What can you study at University of Portsmouth but not at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh?
University of Portsmouth teaches 66 subject areas that Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh does not, including Computer Science, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Management, Building & Construction, Law, Accounting, General Engineering, Games Design & Computer Animation and 58 more.
Ready to explore courses?
Browse available courses, check entry requirements, and find scholarships at each university.