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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.

Q
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh

Edinburgh · QS World #1201

U
University of Southampton

Southampton · QS World #111

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 9 datapoints

We looked at 9 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

2/9

Queen Margaret

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

7/9

Southampton

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Southampton leads in 7 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh is ahead on satisfaction, employment.

Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh vs University of Southampton at a glance

Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh and University of Southampton both teach 18 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Finance & Actuarial Science and Media & Film Studies. Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh offers 68 courses across 25 subject areas; University of Southampton offers 545 courses across 91 subject areas.

For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,460 a year at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh and £31,200 at University of Southampton: Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh is about £12,740 a year cheaper.

Of the 9 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Southampton is higher in 8 and Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh in 0, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Business & Management (General): £22,000 three years after graduating from Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, against £31,500 from University of Southampton. Of the 10 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh is higher in 6 and University of Southampton in 2, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#1201
QS World
#111
—
THE World
#129
—
Guardian UK
#16
1875
Established
1862
No
Russell Group
Yes
—
TEF Rating
Silver

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 Southampton

89.4%
87%

Satisfaction

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

£28,300
£37,200

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

88.1%
82.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

18.6%
35.1%

International

International student share

68
545

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

3
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.

Queen Margaret

51 countries · 18.6% international

  • 🇮🇪Ireland29%
  • 🌐Nepal9.8%
  • 🇨🇦Canada8.2%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria6.1%
  • 🇺🇸United States4.5%
VS

Southampton

103 countries · 35.1% international

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

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 Southampton

Also taught at both: Clinical Specialities, Cultural Studies, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation.

Only at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh

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

Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
No data
University of Southampton
£26,000

We do not have reliable international fee data for Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh yet.

Postgraduate

Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
£18,460
University of Southampton
£31,200

Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh is about £12,740 a year cheaper.

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 Southampton

  • Business & Management (General)

    £22,000Salary (3 years)£31,500
    92%Satisfaction80%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    88%Satisfaction87%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    94%Satisfaction86%

  • Design & Fashion

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£21,500
    95%Satisfaction89%

  • Marketing

    £22,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    76%Satisfaction88%

  • Education Studies

    No dataSalary (3 years)£25,000
    88%Satisfaction88%

  • Psychology (General)

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    82%Satisfaction89%

  • Adult Nursing

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    100%Satisfaction93%

  • Counselling & Psychotherapy

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    88%Satisfaction81%

  • Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    95%Satisfaction95%

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Queen 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

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

Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh vs University of Southampton: common questions

Is Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh or University of Southampton cheaper for international students?

For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,460 a year at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh and £31,200 at University of Southampton: Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh is about £12,740 a year cheaper. 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 Southampton?

Both universities teach 18 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Finance & Actuarial Science, Media & Film Studies, Sociology & Criminology, Business Studies, Design & Fashion, Marketing, Education Studies, Politics & International Relations, Psychology (General), Teacher Training, Adult Nursing and 6 more.

Is Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh or University of Southampton better for Business & Management (General)?

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £22,000 three years after graduating from Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, and £31,500 from University of Southampton. Student satisfaction with teaching is 92% at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh and 80% at University of Southampton. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh or University of Southampton offer more courses?

University of Southampton lists 545 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 Southampton?

Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh teaches 7 subject areas that University of Southampton does not, including Nutrition & Dietetics, Drama & Theatre, Complementary & Alternative Medicine, Medical Imaging, Classical Studies, Hospitality, Events & Tourism and Public Relations.

What can you study at University of Southampton but not at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh?

University of Southampton teaches 73 subject areas that Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh does not, including Electronic & Electrical Engineering, General Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Geology & Earth Sciences, Physics, Civil Engineering, Archaeology and 65 more.

Ready to explore courses?

Browse available courses, check entry requirements, and find scholarships at each university.

Q
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh68 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Southampton545 courses · 52 scholarshipsBrowse Courses