Skip to main content

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 College of Music

London

U
University of Cambridge

Cambridge · QS World #6

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.

3/8

Royal College of Music

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

5/8

Cambridge

scored higher in 5 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Cambridge leads in 5 of 8 categories where both have data (Russell Group, established, satisfaction, graduate salary, courses). Royal College of Music is ahead on employment, international, scholarship.

Royal College of Music vs University of Cambridge at a glance

Royal College of Music and University of Cambridge both teach 2 subject areas, the largest being Music and Cognitive & Experimental Psychology. Royal College of Music offers 39 courses across 2 subject areas; University of Cambridge offers 336 courses across 79 subject areas.

For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,760 a year at Royal College of Music and £41,300 at University of Cambridge: Royal College of Music is about £8,540 a year cheaper.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
#6
—
THE World
#3
—
Guardian UK
#2
1882
Established
1209
No
Russell Group
Yes
Gold
TEF Rating
Gold

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Royal College of Music

University of Cambridge

88.8%
92.1%

Satisfaction

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

£27,500
£49,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.8%
76.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

48.2%
32.2%

International

International student share

39
336

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

7
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 College of Music

37 countries · 48.2% international

  • 🇨🇳China35.4%
  • 🇺🇸United States10.4%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong8.3%
  • 🇦🇺Australia3.1%
  • 🇫🇷France3.1%
VS

Cambridge

96 countries · 32.2% international

  • 🇨🇳China28.2%
  • 🇺🇸United States10.3%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore6.6%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5.3%
  • 🇮🇳India4.7%

Subjects

2 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 College of Music

University of Cambridge

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
University of Cambridge
£32,890

We do not have reliable international fee data for Royal College of Music yet.

Postgraduate

Royal College of Music
£32,760
University of Cambridge
£41,300

Royal College of Music is about £8,540 a year cheaper.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Royal 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

View all scholarships →

University of Cambridge

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Royal College of Music vs University of Cambridge: common questions

Is Royal College of Music or University of Cambridge cheaper for international students?

For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,760 a year at Royal College of Music and £41,300 at University of Cambridge: Royal College of Music is about £8,540 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 University of Cambridge?

Both universities teach 2 subject areas: Music and Cognitive & Experimental Psychology.

Does Royal College of Music or University of Cambridge offer more courses?

University of Cambridge lists 336 courses on CourseOptions and Royal College of Music lists 39 courses.

What can you study at University of Cambridge but not at Royal College of Music?

University of Cambridge teaches 77 subject areas that Royal College of Music does not, including Biological Sciences (General), History, Asian Languages & Studies, Childhood & Youth Studies, General Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Mathematics, Sociology & Criminology and 69 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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