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
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.
4/7
Queen Margaret
scored higher in 4 categories
3/7
West of Scotland
scored higher in 3 categories
Quick Verdict
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh leads in 4 of 7 categories where both have data (established, satisfaction, employment, scholarship). University of the West of Scotland is ahead on international, graduate salary, courses.
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh vs University of the West of Scotland at a glance
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh and University of the West of Scotland both teach 15 subject areas, the largest being Business Studies, Teacher Training and Business & Management (General). Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh offers 68 courses across 25 subject areas; University of the West of Scotland offers 119 courses across 49 subject areas.
For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,460 a year at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £2,180 a year cheaper.
Of the 5 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh is higher in 3 and University of the West of Scotland in 1, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Hospitality, Events & Tourism: £22,000 three years after graduating from Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, against £19,000 from University of the West of Scotland. Of the 6 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of the West of Scotland is higher in 4 and Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh in 2.
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 the West of Scotland
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%
West of Scotland
33 countries · 30.3% international
- 🇵🇰Pakistan36.2%
- 🌐Nepal20.4%
- 🇮🇳India19.3%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria7.4%
- 🇧🇩Bangladesh5.3%
Subjects
15 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 the West of Scotland
Business Studies
Teacher Training
Business & Management (General)
Health Sciences & Paramedic Science
Media & Film Studies
Psychology (General)
Adult Nursing
Education Studies
Marketing
Politics & International Relations
Sociology & Criminology
Cultural Studies
Design & Fashion
Health & Social Care
Hospitality, Events & Tourism
Only at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
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
- Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
- No data
- University of the West of Scotland
- £15,500
We do not have reliable international fee data for Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh yet.
Postgraduate
- Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
- £18,460
- University of the West of Scotland
- £16,280
University of the West of Scotland is about £2,180 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 the West of Scotland
Teacher Training
No dataSalary (3 years)£32,00090%Satisfaction94%Health Sciences & Paramedic Science
£24,500Salary (3 years)£24,50088%Satisfaction99%Adult Nursing
£30,000Salary (3 years)£28,500100%Satisfaction87%Education Studies
No dataSalary (3 years)No data88%Satisfaction96%Sociology & Criminology
£21,000Salary (3 years)£23,00094%SatisfactionNo dataDesign & Fashion
£19,500Salary (3 years)£17,50095%Satisfaction91%Hospitality, Events & Tourism
£22,000Salary (3 years)£19,00086%Satisfaction93%
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 the West of Scotland
View all scholarships →FAQ
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh vs University of the West of Scotland: common questions
Is Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh or University of the West of Scotland cheaper for international students?
For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,460 a year at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £2,180 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 the West of Scotland?
Both universities teach 15 subject areas: Business Studies, Teacher Training, Business & Management (General), Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Media & Film Studies, Psychology (General), Adult Nursing, Education Studies, Marketing, Politics & International Relations, Sociology & Criminology, Cultural Studies and 3 more.
Is Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh or University of the West of Scotland better for Health Sciences & Paramedic Science?
Health Sciences & Paramedic Science graduates earn a median £24,500 three years after graduating from Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, and £24,500 from University of the West of Scotland. Student satisfaction with teaching is 88% at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh and 99% at University of the West of Scotland. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh or University of the West of Scotland offer more courses?
University of the West of Scotland lists 119 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 the West of Scotland?
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh teaches 10 subject areas that University of the West of Scotland does not, including Nutrition & Dietetics, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Drama & Theatre, Complementary & Alternative Medicine, Finance & Actuarial Science, Medical Imaging, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Classical Studies and 2 more.
What can you study at University of the West of Scotland but not at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh?
University of the West of Scotland teaches 34 subject areas that Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh does not, including Applied Computing, Business Information Systems, Chemistry, Computing & IT, General Engineering, Applied Psychology, Accounting, Childhood & Youth Studies and 26 more.
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