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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 the West of Scotland

Paisley · Guardian UK #115

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.

6/9

Robert Gordon

scored higher in 6 categories

VS

3/9

West of Scotland

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

Robert Gordon University leads in 6 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, established, employment, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of the West of Scotland is ahead on ranking, satisfaction, international.

Robert Gordon University vs University of the West of Scotland at a glance

Robert Gordon University and University of the West of Scotland both teach 28 subject areas, the largest being Business Studies, Law and General Engineering. Robert Gordon University offers 151 courses across 51 subject areas; University of the West of Scotland offers 119 courses across 49 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,300 a year at Robert Gordon University and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £2,800 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,060 a year at Robert Gordon University and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £2,780 a year cheaper.

Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Robert Gordon University is higher in 19 and University of the West of Scotland in 0, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Electronic & Electrical Engineering: £36,000 three years after graduating from Robert Gordon University, against £26,500 from University of the West of Scotland. Of the 17 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of the West of Scotland is higher in 9 and Robert Gordon University in 8.

World & National Rankings

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

#1001
QS World
—
#801
THE World
#601
#81
Guardian UK
#115
1729
Established
1897
No
Russell Group
No
—
TEF Rating
—

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 the West of Scotland

87.9%
89%

Satisfaction

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

£33,900
£31,134.9

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

88.5%
81.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

14.4%
30.3%

International

International student share

151
119

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

43
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.

Robert Gordon

48 countries · 14.4% international

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

West of Scotland

33 countries · 30.3% international

  • 🇵🇰Pakistan36.2%
  • 🌐Nepal20.4%
  • 🇮🇳India19.3%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria7.4%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh5.3%

Subjects

28 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 the West of Scotland

Also taught at both: Sociology & Criminology, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Health & Social Care, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Journalism, Mental Health Nursing, Midwifery, Public Health & Epidemiology, Biomedical Sciences, Cultural Studies, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Forensic Science, Marketing.

Only at Robert Gordon University

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

Robert Gordon University
£18,300
University of the West of Scotland
£15,500

University of the West of Scotland is about £2,800 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Robert Gordon University
£19,060
University of the West of Scotland
£16,280

University of the West of Scotland is about £2,780 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 the West of Scotland

  • Business Studies

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    86%Satisfaction75%

  • Law

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    86%SatisfactionNo data

  • General Engineering

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    84%Satisfaction92%

  • Design & Fashion

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£17,500
    93%Satisfaction91%

  • Applied Computing

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£22,000
    85%Satisfaction90%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    85%Satisfaction89%

  • Accounting

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    93%Satisfaction86%

  • Hospitality, Events & Tourism

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
    96%Satisfaction93%

  • Social Work

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    90%Satisfaction88%

  • Adult Nursing

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    80%Satisfaction87%

  • Social Sciences (General)

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    88%Satisfaction95%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    88%SatisfactionNo data

Showing the 12 largest of 20 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 the West of Scotland

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Robert Gordon University vs University of the West of Scotland: common questions

Is Robert Gordon University or University of the West of Scotland cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,300 a year at Robert Gordon University and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £2,800 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,060 a year at Robert Gordon University and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £2,780 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 the West of Scotland?

Both universities teach 28 subject areas: Business Studies, Law, General Engineering, Design & Fashion, Applied Computing, Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering, Accounting, Applied Psychology, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Media & Film Studies, Social Work and 16 more.

Is Robert Gordon University or University of the West of Scotland better for Business Studies?

Business Studies graduates earn a median £25,500 three years after graduating from Robert Gordon University, and £21,000 from University of the West of Scotland. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at Robert Gordon University and 75% at University of the West of Scotland. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Robert Gordon University or University of the West of Scotland offer more courses?

Robert Gordon University lists 151 courses on CourseOptions and University of the West of Scotland lists 119 courses.

What can you study at Robert Gordon University but not at University of the West of Scotland?

Robert Gordon University teaches 23 subject areas that University of the West of Scotland does not, including Information & Library Studies, Computer Science, Management, Pharmacy, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Architecture, Building & Construction, Chemical Engineering and 15 more.

What can you study at University of the West of Scotland but not at Robert Gordon University?

University of the West of Scotland teaches 21 subject areas that Robert Gordon University does not, including Teacher Training, Business Information Systems, Computing & IT, Childhood & Youth Studies, Physics, Aerospace Engineering, Business & Management (General), Community & Specialist Nursing and 13 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

R
Robert Gordon University151 courses · 43 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of the West of Scotland119 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses