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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
Royal Agricultural University

Cirencester

U
University of Southampton

Southampton · QS World #111

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 8 datapoints

We looked at 8 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

2/8

Royal Agricultural

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

6/8

Southampton

scored higher in 6 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Southampton leads in 6 of 8 categories where both have data (Russell Group, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Royal Agricultural University is ahead on established, employment.

Royal Agricultural University vs University of Southampton at a glance

Royal Agricultural University and University of Southampton both teach 8 subject areas, the largest being Business Studies, Business & Management (General) and Environmental Sciences. Royal Agricultural University offers 70 courses across 13 subject areas; University of Southampton offers 545 courses across 91 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,950 a year at Royal Agricultural University and £26,000 at University of Southampton: Royal Agricultural University is about £9,050 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,000 a year at Royal Agricultural University and £31,200 at University of Southampton: Royal Agricultural University is about £9,200 a year cheaper.

Of the 3 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Southampton is higher in 3 and Royal Agricultural University in 0. The widest gap is in Business Studies: £25,000 three years after graduating from Royal Agricultural University, against £31,500 from University of Southampton. Of the 3 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Southampton is higher in 2 and Royal Agricultural University in 1.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
#111
—
THE World
#129
—
Guardian UK
#16
1845
Established
1862
No
Russell Group
Yes
Silver
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Royal Agricultural University

University of Southampton

72.6%
87%

Satisfaction

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

£33,200
£37,200

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.1%
82.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

12.4%
35.1%

International

International student share

70
545

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

13
52

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.

Royal Agricultural

15 countries · 12.4% international

  • 🇿🇦South Africa13%
  • 🌐Zimbabwe13%
  • 🇩🇪Germany8.7%
  • 🇮🇳India8.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria8.7%
VS

Southampton

103 countries · 35.1% international

  • 🇨🇳China63.5%
  • 🇮🇳India4.8%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia2.8%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia2.6%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.5%

Subjects

8 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.

Royal Agricultural University

University of Southampton

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

Royal Agricultural University
£16,950
University of Southampton
£26,000

Royal Agricultural University is about £9,050 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Royal Agricultural University
£22,000
University of Southampton
£31,200

Royal Agricultural University is about £9,200 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.

Royal Agricultural University

University of Southampton

  • Business Studies

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£31,500
    77%Satisfaction66%
  • Business & Management (General)

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£31,500
    64%Satisfaction80%
  • Management

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£31,500
    67%Satisfaction90%

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Royal Agricultural University

Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme

100%

Deadline: N/A

Worshipful Company of Chartered Surveyors/Pathways to Property Bursary

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

RAU Africa Agricultural Leadership Award

£4,500

Deadline: N/A

Sir Emrys Jones Memorial Trust postgraduate award

£4,000

Deadline: N/A

RAU Bursary (Stream 2)

£3,500

Deadline: Aug 2026

View all scholarships →

University of Southampton

Horizon Europe fee waiver

100%

Deadline: N/A

Cowrie Foundation Scholarship

£8,000

Deadline: N/A

Xiamen University PhD Scholarships

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sociology Criminology International Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Southampton Ageing & Gerontology Talent Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Royal Agricultural University vs University of Southampton: common questions

Is Royal Agricultural University or University of Southampton cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,950 a year at Royal Agricultural University and £26,000 at University of Southampton: Royal Agricultural University is about £9,050 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,000 a year at Royal Agricultural University and £31,200 at University of Southampton: Royal Agricultural University is about £9,200 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 Royal Agricultural University and University of Southampton?

Both universities teach 8 subject areas: Business Studies, Business & Management (General), Environmental Sciences, Heritage & Conservation, Management, Building & Construction, Ecology & Conservation and Zoology & Animal Biology.

Is Royal Agricultural University or University of Southampton better for Business Studies?

Business Studies graduates earn a median £25,000 three years after graduating from Royal Agricultural University, and £31,500 from University of Southampton. Student satisfaction with teaching is 77% at Royal Agricultural University and 66% at University of Southampton. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Royal Agricultural University or University of Southampton offer more courses?

University of Southampton lists 545 courses on CourseOptions and Royal Agricultural University lists 70 courses.

What can you study at Royal Agricultural University but not at University of Southampton?

Royal Agricultural University teaches 5 subject areas that University of Southampton does not, including Agriculture & Land Management, Animal Science, Agricultural Sciences, Countryside & Rural Management and Childhood & Youth Studies.

What can you study at University of Southampton but not at Royal Agricultural University?

University of Southampton teaches 83 subject areas that Royal Agricultural University does not, including Electronic & Electrical Engineering, General Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Geology & Earth Sciences, Physics, Civil Engineering and 75 more.

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