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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 Holloway, University of London

Egham · QS World #485

S
SOAS University of London

London · QS World #458

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.

7/9

Royal Holloway

scored higher in 7 categories

VS

2/9

SOAS University of London

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

Royal Holloway, University of London leads in 7 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, employment, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). SOAS University of London is ahead on ranking, international.

Royal Holloway, University of London vs SOAS University of London at a glance

Royal Holloway, University of London and SOAS University of London both teach 21 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Media & Film Studies and Law. Royal Holloway, University of London offers 351 courses across 60 subject areas; SOAS University of London offers 296 courses across 29 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,800 a year at Royal Holloway, University of London and £23,780 at SOAS University of London: SOAS University of London is about £3,020 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,400 a year at Royal Holloway, University of London and £25,320 at SOAS University of London: SOAS University of London is about £1,080 a year cheaper.

Of the 8 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, SOAS University of London is higher in 7 and Royal Holloway, University of London in 1. The widest gap is in Economics: £30,000 three years after graduating from Royal Holloway, University of London, against £35,000 from SOAS University of London. Of the 11 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Royal Holloway, University of London is higher in 6 and SOAS University of London in 4, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#485
QS World
#458
#401
THE World
#401
#45
Guardian UK
#86
1879
Established
1916
No
Russell Group
No
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 Holloway, University of London

SOAS University of London

85.7%
84.1%

Satisfaction

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

£36,152.9
£32,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

78.6%
74.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16.7%
25.7%

International

International student share

351
296

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

32
27

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 Holloway

79 countries · 16.7% international

  • 🇮🇳India17.8%
  • 🇨🇳China8.2%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan8.2%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5%
  • 🇺🇸United States4.8%
VS

SOAS University of London

67 countries · 25.7% international

  • 🇨🇳China10.9%
  • 🇮🇳India10.6%
  • 🇺🇸United States9.4%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan7.6%
  • 🇫🇷France3.6%

Subjects

21 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 Holloway, University of London

SOAS University of London

Also taught at both: Accounting, Archaeology, Cultural Studies, Social Sciences (General), Biological Sciences (General), Social Policy & Public Policy.

Only at Royal Holloway, University of London

Only at SOAS University of London

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 Holloway, University of London
£26,800
SOAS University of London
£23,780

SOAS University of London is about £3,020 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Royal Holloway, University of London
£26,400
SOAS University of London
£25,320

SOAS University of London is about £1,080 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 Holloway, University of London

SOAS University of London

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    88%Satisfaction90%

  • Law

    No dataSalary (3 years)£28,000
    84%Satisfaction77%

  • Ancient Languages

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    88%Satisfaction92%

  • Economics

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£35,000
    84%Satisfaction83%

  • Music

    £22,500Salary (3 years)No data
    84%Satisfaction87%

  • History

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    94%Satisfaction89%

  • Management

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    83%Satisfaction73%

  • Philosophy

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    88%Satisfaction89%

  • Liberal Arts

    No dataSalary (3 years)No data
    95%Satisfaction85%

  • Accounting

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    90%Satisfaction88%

  • Social Sciences (General)

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    82%Satisfaction89%

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Royal Holloway, University of London

International Partners Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Katayoon Behboodi Scholarship 2026

See details

Deadline: N/A

Mary Anning Scholarship 2026

See details

Deadline: N/A

Barbara Raw Scholarships for English

See details

Deadline: N/A

Barbara Raw for English Access Scholarship 2026

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

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

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Royal Holloway, University of London vs SOAS University of London: common questions

Is Royal Holloway, University of London or SOAS University of London cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,800 a year at Royal Holloway, University of London and £23,780 at SOAS University of London: SOAS University of London is about £3,020 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,400 a year at Royal Holloway, University of London and £25,320 at SOAS University of London: SOAS University of London is about £1,080 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 Holloway, University of London and SOAS University of London?

Both universities teach 21 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Media & Film Studies, Law, Ancient Languages, Economics, Music, History, Sociology & Criminology, Management, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Business & Management (General), Philosophy and 9 more.

Is Royal Holloway, University of London or SOAS University of London better for Politics & International Relations?

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £27,500 three years after graduating from Royal Holloway, University of London, and £31,000 from SOAS University of London. Student satisfaction with teaching is 88% at Royal Holloway, University of London and 90% at SOAS University of London. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Royal Holloway, University of London or SOAS University of London offer more courses?

Royal Holloway, University of London lists 351 courses on CourseOptions and SOAS University of London lists 296 courses.

What can you study at Royal Holloway, University of London but not at SOAS University of London?

Royal Holloway, University of London teaches 39 subject areas that SOAS University of London does not, including Computer Science, Geology & Earth Sciences, Mathematics, Biochemistry, German & Scandinavian Studies, Physics, Classical Studies, Drama & Theatre and 31 more.

What can you study at SOAS University of London but not at Royal Holloway, University of London?

SOAS University of London teaches 8 subject areas that Royal Holloway, University of London does not, including Asian Languages & Studies, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Anthropology, Creative Arts (General), History of Art & Design, International Development, Linguistics and Civil Engineering.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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Royal Holloway, University of London351 courses · 32 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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SOAS University of London296 courses · 27 scholarshipsBrowse Courses