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.
London
London · QS World #458
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.
5/8
Royal College of Music
scored higher in 5 categories
3/8
SOAS University of London
scored higher in 3 categories
Quick Verdict
Royal College of Music leads in 5 of 8 categories where both have data (TEF, established, satisfaction, employment, international). SOAS University of London is ahead on graduate salary, courses, scholarship.
Royal College of Music vs SOAS University of London at a glance
Royal College of Music and SOAS University of London have one subject area in common, Music. Royal College of Music offers 39 courses across 2 subject areas; SOAS University of London offers 296 courses across 29 subject areas.
For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,760 a year at Royal College of Music and £25,320 at SOAS University of London: SOAS University of London is about £7,440 a year cheaper.
World & National Rankings
Compare world and national league table positions, TEF ratings, and Russell Group membership.
Visual Breakdown
Key metrics at a glance
Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.
Royal College of Music
SOAS University of London
Satisfaction
Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)
Graduate Salaries (5y)
Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation
Employment
Graduate employment rate
International
International student share
Course Counts
Number of courses offered
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 College of Music
37 countries · 48.2% international
- 🇨🇳China35.4%
- 🇺🇸United States10.4%
- 🇭🇰Hong Kong8.3%
- 🇦🇺Australia3.1%
- 🇫🇷France3.1%
SOAS University of London
67 countries · 25.7% international
- 🇨🇳China10.9%
- 🇮🇳India10.6%
- 🇺🇸United States9.4%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan7.6%
- 🇫🇷France3.6%
Subjects
1 subject 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 College of Music
SOAS University of London
Music
36 coursesTypical fee £31,300 (UG)
9 coursesTypical fee £23,780 (UG)
Only at Royal College of Music
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 College of Music
- No data
- SOAS University of London
- £23,780
We do not have reliable international fee data for Royal College of Music yet.
Postgraduate
- Royal College of Music
- £32,760
- SOAS University of London
- £25,320
SOAS University of London is about £7,440 a year cheaper.
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveRoyal College of Music
Adami Award for Collaborative Piano Fellows
£15,000
Deadline: N/A
Fellowship in Historical Keyboards
£15,000
Deadline: N/A
Gilbert & Eileen Edgar and Anthony Saltmarsh CPF
£15,000
Deadline: N/A
Lord & Lady Lurgan Collaborative Piano Fellowship
£15,000
Deadline: N/A
Carne Junior Fellowship
See details
Deadline: N/A
SOAS University of London
SOAS International Academic Excellence Scholarship
£20,000
Deadline: May 2026
SOAS Sustainable Development Goal Scholarship
£15,000
Deadline: Jun 2026
Commonwealth Shared Scholarships
100%
Deadline: N/A
Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Programme
100%
Deadline: N/A
SOAS Academic Excellence Scholarship
£10,000
Deadline: May 2026
FAQ
Royal College of Music vs SOAS University of London: common questions
Is Royal College of Music or SOAS University of London cheaper for international students?
For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,760 a year at Royal College of Music and £25,320 at SOAS University of London: SOAS University of London is about £7,440 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 Royal College of Music and SOAS University of London?
Both universities teach 1 subject area: Music.
Does Royal College of Music or SOAS University of London offer more courses?
SOAS University of London lists 296 courses on CourseOptions and Royal College of Music lists 39 courses.
What can you study at Royal College of Music but not at SOAS University of London?
Royal College of Music teaches 1 subject area that SOAS University of London does not, including Cognitive & Experimental Psychology.
What can you study at SOAS University of London but not at Royal College of Music?
SOAS University of London teaches 28 subject areas that Royal College of Music does not, including Media & Film Studies, Asian Languages & Studies, Politics & International Relations, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Ancient Languages, Anthropology, Creative Arts (General), Law and 20 more.
Ready to explore courses?
Browse available courses, check entry requirements, and find scholarships at each university.