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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's University Belfast

Belfast · QS World #174

U
University of Cambridge

Cambridge · QS World #6

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.

3/9

Queen's University Belfast

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

6/9

Cambridge

scored higher in 6 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Cambridge leads in 6 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, international). Queen's University Belfast is ahead on employment, courses, scholarship.

Queen's University Belfast vs University of Cambridge at a glance

Queen's University Belfast and University of Cambridge both teach 57 subject areas, the largest being Biological Sciences (General), Mathematics and History. Queen's University Belfast offers 494 courses across 93 subject areas; University of Cambridge offers 336 courses across 79 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,800 a year at Queen's University Belfast and £32,890 at University of Cambridge: Queen's University Belfast is about £12,090 a year cheaper.

Of the 17 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Cambridge is higher in 13 and Queen's University Belfast in 4.

World & National Rankings

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

#174
QS World
#6
#198
THE World
#3
#36
Guardian UK
#2
1845
Established
1209
Yes
Russell Group
Yes
—
TEF Rating
Gold

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.

Queen's University Belfast

University of Cambridge

86.4%
92.1%

Satisfaction

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

No data
£49,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.9%
76.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

21.9%
32.2%

International

International student share

494
336

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

1
0

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's University Belfast

74 countries · 21.9% international

  • 🇮🇪Ireland30.3%
  • 🇮🇳India14.3%
  • 🇨🇳China11%
  • 🇺🇸United States7%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia5%
VS

Cambridge

96 countries · 32.2% international

  • 🇨🇳China28.2%
  • 🇺🇸United States10.3%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore6.6%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5.3%
  • 🇮🇳India4.7%

Subjects

57 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's University Belfast

University of Cambridge

Also taught at both: Psychology (General), Anthropology, Architecture, Business & Management (General), Computer Science, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Philosophy, Biomedical Sciences, Finance & Actuarial Science, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Media & Film Studies, Software Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Human Geography & Environment, Planning & Housing, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Music, Building & Construction, Aerospace Engineering, Animal Science, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Biochemistry, Education Studies, Social Policy & Public Policy, Zoology & Animal Biology, Anatomy & Pathology, Geography (General), Geology & Earth Sciences, Linguistics, Pharmacology, Computing & IT, Dentistry, Medicine, Ancient Languages, Clinical & Health Psychology, Humanities, Information Systems & Data Science, Landscape Architecture & Design, Welsh Studies, Business Studies, Health & Social Care, Technology & Logistics.

Only at Queen's University Belfast

Only at University of Cambridge

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's University Belfast
£20,800
University of Cambridge
£32,890

Queen's University Belfast is about £12,090 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Queen's University Belfast
No data
University of Cambridge
£41,300

We do not have reliable international fee data for Queen's University Belfast yet.

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's University Belfast

University of Cambridge

  • Biological Sciences (General)

    No dataSalary (3 years)£35,000
    82%Satisfaction91%

  • Mathematics

    No dataSalary (3 years)£44,500
    87%Satisfaction94%

  • History

    No dataSalary (3 years)£32,000
    91%Satisfaction95%

  • Law

    No dataSalary (3 years)£49,000
    86%Satisfaction96%

  • English Studies

    No dataSalary (3 years)£27,500
    91%Satisfaction96%

  • Economics

    No dataSalary (3 years)£59,500
    82%Satisfaction86%

  • Archaeology

    No dataSalary (3 years)£31,000
    98%Satisfaction95%

  • Psychology (General)

    No dataSalary (3 years)£30,000
    86%Satisfaction92%

  • Architecture

    No dataSalary (3 years)£38,000
    98%Satisfaction88%

  • Computer Science

    No dataSalary (3 years)£63,500
    72%Satisfaction94%

  • Philosophy

    No dataSalary (3 years)£31,000
    92%Satisfaction93%

  • Chemical Engineering

    No dataSalary (3 years)£43,000
    78%Satisfaction94%

Showing the 12 largest of 17 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Queen's University Belfast

Future-Ready Award

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

University of Cambridge

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Queen's University Belfast vs University of Cambridge: common questions

Is Queen's University Belfast or University of Cambridge cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,800 a year at Queen's University Belfast and £32,890 at University of Cambridge: Queen's University Belfast is about £12,090 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's University Belfast and University of Cambridge?

Both universities teach 57 subject areas: Biological Sciences (General), Mathematics, History, Law, Politics & International Relations, Civil Engineering, English Studies, Management, Childhood & Youth Studies, Sociology & Criminology, Economics, General Engineering and 45 more.

Does Queen's University Belfast or University of Cambridge offer more courses?

Queen's University Belfast lists 494 courses on CourseOptions and University of Cambridge lists 336 courses.

What can you study at Queen's University Belfast but not at University of Cambridge?

Queen's University Belfast teaches 36 subject areas that University of Cambridge does not, including Mechanical Engineering, Social Work, French, Irish Studies, Pharmacy, Nursing (General), Physical Geography & Climate, Accounting and 28 more.

What can you study at University of Cambridge but not at Queen's University Belfast?

University of Cambridge teaches 22 subject areas that Queen's University Belfast does not, including Asian Languages & Studies, Clinical Specialities, Biology, Genetics & Genomics, Theology & Religious Studies, Veterinary Medicine, Celtic Studies, Classical Studies and 14 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

Q
Queen's University Belfast494 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses
U
University of Cambridge336 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses