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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

U
University of Cambridge

Cambridge · QS World #6

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 12 datapoints

We looked at 12 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

3/12

Royal Holloway

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

9/12

Cambridge

scored higher in 9 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Cambridge leads in 9 of 12 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, TEF, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary). Royal Holloway, University of London is ahead on employment, courses, scholarship.

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

Royal Holloway, University of London and University of Cambridge both teach 40 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Politics & International Relations and Economics. Royal Holloway, University of London offers 351 courses across 60 subject areas; University of Cambridge offers 336 courses across 79 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,800 a year at Royal Holloway, University of London and £32,890 at University of Cambridge: Royal Holloway, University of London is about £6,090 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,400 a year at Royal Holloway, University of London and £41,300 at University of Cambridge: Royal Holloway, University of London is about £14,900 a year cheaper.

Of the 12 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Cambridge is higher in 12 and Royal Holloway, University of London in 0. The widest gap is in Economics: £30,000 three years after graduating from Royal Holloway, University of London, against £59,500 from University of Cambridge. Of the 12 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Cambridge is higher in 11 and Royal Holloway, University of London in 1.

World & National Rankings

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

#485
QS World
#6
#401
THE World
#3
#45
Guardian UK
#2
1879
Established
1209
No
Russell Group
Yes
Silver
TEF Rating
Gold

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

University of Cambridge

85.7%
92.1%

Satisfaction

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

£36,152.9
£49,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

78.6%
76.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16.7%
32.2%

International

International student share

351
336

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

32
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 Holloway

79 countries · 16.7% international

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

Cambridge

96 countries · 32.2% international

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

Subjects

40 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

University of Cambridge

Also taught at both: Classical Studies, Philosophy, Biomedical Sciences, Human Geography & Environment, Media & Film Studies, Ancient Languages, Archaeology, Biology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Finance & Actuarial Science, Geography (General), Psychology (General), Genetics & Genomics, Theology & Religious Studies, Computing & IT, Creative Writing, English Studies, Zoology & Animal Biology, Social Policy & Public Policy, Welsh Studies, American & Comparative Studies, Business Studies, Clinical & Health Psychology, Health & Social Care.

Only at Royal Holloway, University of London

Only at 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 Holloway, University of London
£26,800
University of Cambridge
£32,890

Royal Holloway, University of London is about £6,090 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Royal Holloway, University of London
£26,400
University of Cambridge
£41,300

Royal Holloway, University of London is about £14,900 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

University of Cambridge

  • Computer Science

    £41,000Salary (3 years)£63,500
    83%Satisfaction94%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£34,000
    88%SatisfactionNo data

  • Economics

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£59,500
    84%Satisfaction86%

  • Law

    No dataSalary (3 years)£49,000
    84%Satisfaction96%

  • History

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    94%Satisfaction95%

  • Mathematics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£44,500
    83%Satisfaction94%

  • Music

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    84%Satisfaction97%

  • Classical Studies

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    93%Satisfaction96%

  • Philosophy

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    88%Satisfaction93%

  • Ancient Languages

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    88%Satisfaction97%

  • Archaeology

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    93%Satisfaction95%

  • Geography (General)

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    96%Satisfaction95%

Showing the 12 largest of 13 shared subjects with published outcomes.

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 →

University of Cambridge

View all scholarships →

FAQ

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

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,800 a year at Royal Holloway, University of London and £32,890 at University of Cambridge: Royal Holloway, University of London is about £6,090 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,400 a year at Royal Holloway, University of London and £41,300 at University of Cambridge: Royal Holloway, University of London is about £14,900 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 University of Cambridge?

Both universities teach 40 subject areas: Computer Science, Politics & International Relations, Economics, Law, History, Mathematics, Sociology & Criminology, Biological Sciences (General), Management, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Geology & Earth Sciences, Physics and 28 more.

Is Royal Holloway, University of London or University of Cambridge better for Computer Science?

Computer Science graduates earn a median £41,000 three years after graduating from Royal Holloway, University of London, and £63,500 from University of Cambridge. Student satisfaction with teaching is 83% at Royal Holloway, University of London and 94% at University of Cambridge. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

Royal Holloway, University of London lists 351 courses on CourseOptions and University of Cambridge lists 336 courses.

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

Royal Holloway, University of London teaches 20 subject areas that University of Cambridge does not, including German & Scandinavian Studies, Drama & Theatre, English Literature, Marketing, Ecology & Conservation, Liberal Arts, Applied Psychology, French and 12 more.

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

University of Cambridge teaches 39 subject areas that Royal Holloway, University of London does not, including Asian Languages & Studies, Childhood & Youth Studies, General Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Architecture, Clinical Specialities, Anatomy & Pathology, Chemical Engineering and 31 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

R
Royal Holloway, University of London351 courses · 32 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Cambridge336 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses