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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
Sunderland · Guardian UK #86
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.
4/7
Queen Margaret
scored higher in 4 categories
3/7
Sunderland
scored higher in 3 categories
Quick Verdict
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh leads in 4 of 7 categories where both have data (established, employment, graduate salary, scholarship). University of Sunderland is ahead on satisfaction, international, courses.
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh vs University of Sunderland at a glance
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh and University of Sunderland both teach 17 subject areas, the largest being Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Business & Management (General) and Business Studies. Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh offers 68 courses across 25 subject areas; University of Sunderland offers 193 courses across 56 subject areas.
For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,460 a year at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh and £17,000 at University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland is about £1,460 a year cheaper.
Of the 11 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh is higher in 8 and University of Sunderland in 3. The widest gap is in Health Sciences & Paramedic Science: £24,500 three years after graduating from Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, against £29,000 from University of Sunderland. Of the 13 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh is higher in 7 and University of Sunderland in 5, with 1 about level.
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 Sunderland
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%
Sunderland
56 countries · 36.5% international
- 🌐Nepal29.5%
- 🇮🇳India17.7%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria16.6%
- 🇨🇳China7.3%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan6.9%
Subjects
17 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 Sunderland
Hospitality, Events & Tourism
1 courseFee not available
12 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
Business & Management (General)
Business Studies
Media & Film Studies
Psychology (General)
Design & Fashion
Marketing
Teacher Training
Education Studies
Finance & Actuarial Science
Health Sciences & Paramedic Science
Counselling & Psychotherapy
Health & Social Care
Adult Nursing
Sociology & Criminology
Also taught at both: Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Public Relations.
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 Sunderland
- £17,500
We do not have reliable international fee data for Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh yet.
Postgraduate
- Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
- £18,460
- University of Sunderland
- £17,000
University of Sunderland is about £1,460 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 Sunderland
Hospitality, Events & Tourism
£22,000Salary (3 years)£19,00086%Satisfaction93%Business & Management (General)
£22,000Salary (3 years)£20,00092%Satisfaction92%Media & Film Studies
£20,000Salary (3 years)£18,00088%Satisfaction93%Psychology (General)
£21,000Salary (3 years)£19,00082%Satisfaction88%Design & Fashion
£19,500Salary (3 years)£17,00095%Satisfaction90%Marketing
£22,000Salary (3 years)£20,00076%Satisfaction91%Teacher Training
No dataSalary (3 years)£26,00090%Satisfaction80%Education Studies
No dataSalary (3 years)£25,00088%Satisfaction84%Health Sciences & Paramedic Science
£24,500Salary (3 years)£29,00088%Satisfaction84%Counselling & Psychotherapy
£25,000Salary (3 years)£29,00088%Satisfaction93%Adult Nursing
£30,000Salary (3 years)£29,000100%Satisfaction88%Sociology & Criminology
£21,000Salary (3 years)£18,50094%Satisfaction87%
Showing the 12 largest of 13 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 Sunderland
View all scholarships →FAQ
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh vs University of Sunderland: common questions
Is Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh or University of Sunderland cheaper for international students?
For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,460 a year at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh and £17,000 at University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland is about £1,460 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 Sunderland?
Both universities teach 17 subject areas: Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Business & Management (General), Business Studies, Media & Film Studies, Psychology (General), Design & Fashion, Marketing, Teacher Training, Education Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Counselling & Psychotherapy and 5 more.
Is Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh or University of Sunderland better for Hospitality, Events & Tourism?
Hospitality, Events & Tourism graduates earn a median £22,000 three years after graduating from Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, and £19,000 from University of Sunderland. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh and 93% at University of Sunderland. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh or University of Sunderland offer more courses?
University of Sunderland lists 193 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 Sunderland?
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh teaches 8 subject areas that University of Sunderland does not, including Nutrition & Dietetics, Drama & Theatre, Complementary & Alternative Medicine, Cultural Studies, Medical Imaging, Politics & International Relations, Classical Studies and Clinical Specialities.
What can you study at University of Sunderland but not at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh?
University of Sunderland teaches 39 subject areas that Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh does not, including Law, Computer Science, Film Production & Cinematography, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Journalism, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Biochemistry, Chemistry and 31 more.
Ready to explore courses?
Browse available courses, check entry requirements, and find scholarships at each university.