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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 the West of Scotland

Paisley · Guardian UK #115

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 7 datapoints

We looked at 7 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

4/7

Royal Agricultural

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

3/7

West of Scotland

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

Royal Agricultural University leads in 4 of 7 categories where both have data (established, employment, graduate salary, scholarship). University of the West of Scotland is ahead on satisfaction, international, courses.

Royal Agricultural University vs University of the West of Scotland at a glance

Royal Agricultural University and University of the West of Scotland both teach 5 subject areas, the largest being Business Studies, Childhood & Youth Studies and Environmental Sciences. Royal Agricultural University offers 70 courses across 13 subject areas; University of the West of Scotland offers 119 courses across 49 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,950 a year at Royal Agricultural University and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £1,450 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,000 a year at Royal Agricultural University and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £5,720 a year cheaper.

In Business Studies, the one shared subject where both publish a graduate salary, Royal Agricultural University is higher. In Business Studies, the one shared subject where both publish a student satisfaction score, Royal Agricultural University is higher.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
—
—
THE World
#601
—
Guardian UK
#115
1845
Established
1897
No
Russell Group
No
Silver
TEF Rating
—

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 the West of Scotland

72.6%
89%

Satisfaction

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

£33,200
£31,134.9

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.1%
81.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

12.4%
30.3%

International

International student share

70
119

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

13
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.

Royal Agricultural

15 countries · 12.4% international

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

West of Scotland

33 countries · 30.3% international

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

Subjects

5 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 the West of Scotland

  • Business Studies

    17 courses

    Typical fee £16,950 (UG)

    9 courses

    Typical fee £15,500 (UG)

  • Childhood & Youth Studies

    2 courses

    Typical fee £18,950 (PG)

    3 courses

    Typical fee £15,250 (UG)

  • Environmental Sciences

    3 courses

    Typical fee £16,950 (UG)

    1 course

    Typical fee £16,280 (UG)

  • Business & Management (General)

    1 course

    Typical fee £16,950 (UG)

    2 courses

    Fee not available

  • Zoology & Animal Biology

    1 course

    Typical fee £16,950 (UG)

    2 courses

    Fee not available

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 the West of Scotland
£15,500

University of the West of Scotland is about £1,450 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Royal Agricultural University
£22,000
University of the West of Scotland
£16,280

University of the West of Scotland is about £5,720 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 the West of Scotland

  • Business Studies

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    77%Satisfaction75%

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 the West of Scotland

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Royal Agricultural University vs University of the West of Scotland: common questions

Is Royal Agricultural University or University of the West of Scotland cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,950 a year at Royal Agricultural University and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £1,450 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,000 a year at Royal Agricultural University and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £5,720 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 the West of Scotland?

Both universities teach 5 subject areas: Business Studies, Childhood & Youth Studies, Environmental Sciences, Business & Management (General) and Zoology & Animal Biology.

Is Royal Agricultural University or University of the West of Scotland better for Business Studies?

Business Studies graduates earn a median £25,000 three years after graduating from Royal Agricultural University, and £21,000 from University of the West of Scotland. Student satisfaction with teaching is 77% at Royal Agricultural 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 Royal Agricultural University or University of the West of Scotland offer more courses?

University of the West of Scotland lists 119 courses on CourseOptions and Royal Agricultural University lists 70 courses.

What can you study at Royal Agricultural University but not at University of the West of Scotland?

Royal Agricultural University teaches 8 subject areas that University of the West of Scotland does not, including Agriculture & Land Management, Animal Science, Heritage & Conservation, Agricultural Sciences, Building & Construction, Countryside & Rural Management, Management and Ecology & Conservation.

What can you study at University of the West of Scotland but not at Royal Agricultural University?

University of the West of Scotland teaches 44 subject areas that Royal Agricultural University does not, including Teacher Training, Applied Computing, Business Information Systems, Chemistry, Computing & IT, General Engineering, Applied Psychology, Accounting and 36 more.

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