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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.

R
Robert Gordon University

Aberdeen · QS World #1001

U
University of Derby

Derby · QS World #1201

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 10 datapoints

We looked at 10 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

6/10

Robert Gordon

scored higher in 6 categories

VS

4/10

Derby

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

Robert Gordon University leads in 6 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, established, employment, international, graduate salary, scholarship). University of Derby is ahead on ranking, satisfaction, courses.

Robert Gordon University vs University of Derby at a glance

Robert Gordon University and University of Derby both teach 40 subject areas, the largest being Design & Fashion, Law and Business Studies. Robert Gordon University offers 151 courses across 51 subject areas; University of Derby offers 375 courses across 74 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,300 a year at Robert Gordon University and £16,900 at University of Derby: University of Derby is about £1,400 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,060 a year at Robert Gordon University and £17,500 at University of Derby: University of Derby is about £1,560 a year cheaper.

Of the 30 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Robert Gordon University is higher in 24 and University of Derby in 5, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Biomedical Sciences: £34,500 three years after graduating from Robert Gordon University, against £27,000 from University of Derby. Of the 29 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Robert Gordon University is higher in 17 and University of Derby in 10, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#1001
QS World
#1201
#801
THE World
#601
#81
Guardian UK
#80
1729
Established
1851
No
Russell Group
No
—
TEF Rating
Gold

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Robert Gordon University

University of Derby

87.9%
88.5%

Satisfaction

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

£33,900
£27,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

88.5%
85.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

14.4%
14.3%

International

International student share

151
375

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

43
6

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.

Robert Gordon

48 countries · 14.4% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria36.2%
  • 🇮🇳India16.2%
  • 🇬🇭Ghana9.9%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan8.5%
  • 🇮🇪Ireland5.9%
VS

Derby

64 countries · 14.3% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria34.5%
  • 🇮🇳India15.3%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan8.1%
  • 🇬🇭Ghana6.5%
  • 🇰🇪Kenya5.5%

Subjects

40 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.

Robert Gordon University

University of Derby

Also taught at both: General Engineering, Health & Social Care, Mental Health Nursing, Building & Construction, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Finance & Actuarial Science, Games Design & Computer Animation, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Journalism, Management, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Forensic Science, Applied Computing, Film Production & Cinematography, Fine Art, Social Work, Biomedical Sciences, Children's Nursing, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Human Resource Management, Nursing (General), Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Medical Imaging, Midwifery, Public Health & Epidemiology.

Only at Robert Gordon University

Only at University of Derby

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

Robert Gordon University
£18,300
University of Derby
£16,900

University of Derby is about £1,400 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Robert Gordon University
£19,060
University of Derby
£17,500

University of Derby is about £1,560 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.

Robert Gordon University

University of Derby

  • Design & Fashion

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
    93%Satisfaction85%

  • Law

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£20,500
    86%Satisfaction87%

  • Business Studies

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    86%Satisfaction79%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£20,500
    88%Satisfaction85%

  • Hospitality, Events & Tourism

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
    96%Satisfaction85%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£22,000
    92%Satisfaction90%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £19,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    93%Satisfaction92%

  • Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    85%Satisfaction78%

  • Accounting

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    93%Satisfaction90%

  • Adult Nursing

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    80%Satisfaction83%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    85%Satisfaction85%

  • Architecture

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    92%Satisfaction97%

Showing the 12 largest of 30 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Robert Gordon University

Bolashak Scholarship Programme

100%

Deadline: N/A

CONACyT (Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnologia)

100%

Deadline: N/A

Chevening Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Commonwealth Postgraduate/PhD Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Commonwealth Shared Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

University of Derby

Biomedical Science Excellence Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Golding Awards

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sarah Essam Football Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sitwell Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Robert Gordon University vs University of Derby: common questions

Is Robert Gordon University or University of Derby cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,300 a year at Robert Gordon University and £16,900 at University of Derby: University of Derby is about £1,400 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,060 a year at Robert Gordon University and £17,500 at University of Derby: University of Derby is about £1,560 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 Robert Gordon University and University of Derby?

Both universities teach 40 subject areas: Design & Fashion, Law, Business Studies, Sociology & Criminology, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Marketing, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Media & Film Studies, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Accounting, Adult Nursing, Civil Engineering and 28 more.

Is Robert Gordon University or University of Derby better for Design & Fashion?

Design & Fashion graduates earn a median £20,000 three years after graduating from Robert Gordon University, and £19,000 from University of Derby. Student satisfaction with teaching is 93% at Robert Gordon University and 85% at University of Derby. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Robert Gordon University or University of Derby offer more courses?

University of Derby lists 375 courses on CourseOptions and Robert Gordon University lists 151 courses.

What can you study at Robert Gordon University but not at University of Derby?

Robert Gordon University teaches 11 subject areas that University of Derby does not, including Information & Library Studies, Pharmacy, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Information Systems & Data Science, Applied Psychology, Biomedical Engineering, Cultural Studies and 3 more.

What can you study at University of Derby but not at Robert Gordon University?

University of Derby teaches 34 subject areas that Robert Gordon University does not, including Business & Management (General), Psychology (General), Economics, English Studies, Education Studies, History, Creative Writing, Personal & Professional Development and 26 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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Robert Gordon University151 courses · 43 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Derby375 courses · 6 scholarshipsBrowse Courses