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
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.
1/8
Queen Margaret
scored higher in 1 category
7/8
St Andrews
scored higher in 7 categories
Quick Verdict
University of St Andrews leads in 7 of 8 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh is ahead on employment.
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh vs University of St Andrews at a glance
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh and University of St Andrews both teach 11 subject areas, the largest being Classical Studies, Politics & International Relations and Media & Film Studies. Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh offers 68 courses across 25 subject areas; University of St Andrews offers 1,157 courses across 64 subject areas.
For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,460 a year at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh and £27,200 at University of St Andrews: Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh is about £8,740 a year cheaper.
Of the 3 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of St Andrews is higher in 3 and Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh in 0. The widest gap is in Business & Management (General): £22,000 three years after graduating from Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, against £37,500 from University of St Andrews. Of the 3 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of St Andrews is higher in 2 and Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh in 1.
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 St Andrews
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%
St Andrews
89 countries · 46.1% international
- 🇺🇸United States42.3%
- 🇨🇳China9%
- 🇩🇪Germany4%
- 🇮🇳India4%
- 🇭🇰Hong Kong3.2%
Subjects
11 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 St Andrews
Classical Studies
1 courseTypical fee £22,970 (PG)
63 coursesTypical fee £30,160 (UG)
Politics & International Relations
2 coursesFee not available
35 coursesTypical fee £30,160 (UG)
Media & Film Studies
3 coursesTypical fee £18,460 (PG)
25 coursesTypical fee £30,160 (UG)
Teacher Training
4 coursesFee not available
15 coursesFee not available
Psychology (General)
4 coursesFee not available
12 coursesTypical fee £30,160 (UG)
Business & Management (General)
Education Studies
Finance & Actuarial Science
Business Studies
Marketing
Sociology & Criminology
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 St Andrews
- £30,160
We do not have reliable international fee data for Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh yet.
Postgraduate
- Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
- £18,460
- University of St Andrews
- £27,200
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh is about £8,740 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 St Andrews
Media & Film Studies
£20,000Salary (3 years)No data88%Satisfaction95%Psychology (General)
£21,000Salary (3 years)£25,50082%Satisfaction89%Business & Management (General)
£22,000Salary (3 years)£37,50092%Satisfaction84%Sociology & Criminology
£21,000Salary (3 years)£34,00094%SatisfactionNo data
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 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
FAQ
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh vs University of St Andrews: common questions
Is Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh or University of St Andrews cheaper for international students?
For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,460 a year at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh and £27,200 at University of St Andrews: Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh is about £8,740 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 St Andrews?
Both universities teach 11 subject areas: Classical Studies, Politics & International Relations, Media & Film Studies, Teacher Training, Psychology (General), Business & Management (General), Education Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Business Studies, Marketing and Sociology & Criminology.
Is Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh or University of St Andrews better for Psychology (General)?
Psychology (General) graduates earn a median £21,000 three years after graduating from Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, and £25,500 from University of St Andrews. Student satisfaction with teaching is 82% at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh and 89% at University of St Andrews. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh or University of St Andrews offer more courses?
University of St Andrews lists 1,157 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 St Andrews?
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh teaches 14 subject areas that University of St Andrews does not, including Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Nutrition & Dietetics, Adult Nursing, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Drama & Theatre, Complementary & Alternative Medicine, Cultural Studies, Medical Imaging and 6 more.
What can you study at University of St Andrews but not at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh?
University of St Andrews teaches 53 subject areas that Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh does not, including African & Middle Eastern Studies, French, German & Scandinavian Studies, Italian, History, Ancient Languages, Economics, History of Art & Design and 45 more.
Ready to explore courses?
Browse available courses, check entry requirements, and find scholarships at each university.