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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 Plymouth

Plymouth · QS World #691

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

Plymouth

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

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

Robert Gordon University vs University of Plymouth at a glance

Robert Gordon University and University of Plymouth both teach 40 subject areas, the largest being Law, Business Studies and Design & Fashion. Robert Gordon University offers 151 courses across 51 subject areas; University of Plymouth offers 310 courses across 78 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,300 a year at Robert Gordon University and £19,200 at University of Plymouth: Robert Gordon University is about £900 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,060 a year at Robert Gordon University and £19,500 at University of Plymouth: Robert Gordon University is about £440 a year cheaper.

Of the 27 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Robert Gordon University is higher in 18 and University of Plymouth in 6, with 3 about level. The widest gap is in Biomedical Sciences: £34,500 three years after graduating from Robert Gordon University, against £26,000 from University of Plymouth. Of the 26 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Robert Gordon University is higher in 14 and University of Plymouth in 12.

World & National Rankings

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

#1001
QS World
#691
#801
THE World
#501
#81
Guardian UK
#56
1729
Established
1862
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 Plymouth

87.9%
86.6%

Satisfaction

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

£33,900
£30,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

88.5%
84.2%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

14.4%
11.9%

International

International student share

151
310

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

43
10

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

Plymouth

71 countries · 11.9% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria14.6%
  • 🇨🇳China12.2%
  • 🇮🇳India11%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.7%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka3.3%

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 Plymouth

Also taught at both: Building & Construction, Chemistry, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Midwifery, Accounting, Architecture, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Children's Nursing, Film Production & Cinematography, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Media & Film Studies, Mental Health Nursing, Nursing (General), Social Work, Chemical Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Fine Art, Games Design & Computer Animation, Marketing, Medical Imaging, Applied Psychology, Human Resource Management, Biomedical Engineering, Social Sciences (General).

Only at Robert Gordon University

Only at University of Plymouth

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 Plymouth
£19,200

Robert Gordon University is about £900 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Robert Gordon University
£19,060
University of Plymouth
£19,500

Robert Gordon University is about £440 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 Plymouth

  • Law

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£21,500
    86%Satisfaction84%

  • Business Studies

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    86%Satisfaction74%

  • Design & Fashion

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    93%Satisfaction77%

  • Computer Science

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    85%Satisfaction72%

  • Adult Nursing

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    80%Satisfaction87%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    85%Satisfaction90%

  • Hospitality, Events & Tourism

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    96%Satisfaction83%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £34,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    85%Satisfaction84%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    77%Satisfaction91%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    88%Satisfaction83%

  • General Engineering

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    84%Satisfaction90%

  • Nutrition & Dietetics

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    90%Satisfaction96%

Showing the 12 largest of 28 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 Plymouth

GREAT Scholarships

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

International Undergraduate Welcome to Plymouth Scholarship

£6,000

Deadline: N/A

Tamar Engineering Project

£4,500

Deadline: Jun 2026

International Postgraduate Welcome to Plymouth Scholarship

£4,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Robert Gordon University vs University of Plymouth: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,300 a year at Robert Gordon University and £19,200 at University of Plymouth: Robert Gordon University is about £900 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,060 a year at Robert Gordon University and £19,500 at University of Plymouth: Robert Gordon University is about £440 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 Plymouth?

Both universities teach 40 subject areas: Law, Business Studies, Design & Fashion, Computer Science, Adult Nursing, Mechanical Engineering, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Management, Biomedical Sciences, Civil Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Sociology & Criminology and 28 more.

Is Robert Gordon University or University of Plymouth better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £23,500 three years after graduating from Robert Gordon University, and £21,500 from University of Plymouth. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at Robert Gordon University and 84% at University of Plymouth. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Plymouth lists 310 courses on CourseOptions and Robert Gordon University lists 151 courses.

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

Robert Gordon University teaches 11 subject areas that University of Plymouth does not, including Information & Library Studies, Pharmacy, Information Systems & Data Science, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Applied Computing, Cultural Studies, Forensic Science, Health & Social Care and 3 more.

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

University of Plymouth teaches 38 subject areas that Robert Gordon University does not, including Geology & Earth Sciences, Business & Management (General), Psychology (General), Ecology & Conservation, Physical Geography & Climate, Dentistry, Marine Engineering & Technology, Politics & International Relations and 30 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 Plymouth310 courses · 10 scholarshipsBrowse Courses