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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 Derby

Derby · QS World #1201

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 11 datapoints

We looked at 11 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

6/11

Royal Holloway

scored higher in 6 categories

VS

5/11

Derby

scored higher in 5 categories

Quick Verdict

Royal Holloway, University of London leads in 6 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, international, graduate salary, scholarship). University of Derby is ahead on TEF, established, satisfaction, employment, courses.

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

Royal Holloway, University of London and University of Derby both teach 37 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Sociology & Criminology and Economics. Royal Holloway, University of London offers 351 courses across 60 subject areas; University of Derby offers 375 courses across 74 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,800 a year at Royal Holloway, University of London and £16,900 at University of Derby: University of Derby is about £9,900 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,400 a year at Royal Holloway, University of London and £17,500 at University of Derby: University of Derby is about £8,900 a year cheaper.

Of the 18 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Royal Holloway, University of London is higher in 18 and University of Derby in 0. The widest gap is in Games Design & Computer Animation: £41,000 three years after graduating from Royal Holloway, University of London, against £21,000 from University of Derby. Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Derby is higher in 14 and Royal Holloway, University of London in 2, with 4 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#485
QS World
#1201
#401
THE World
#601
#45
Guardian UK
#80
1879
Established
1851
No
Russell Group
No
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 Derby

85.7%
88.5%

Satisfaction

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

£36,152.9
£27,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

78.6%
85.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16.7%
14.3%

International

International student share

351
375

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

32
6

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

Derby

64 countries · 14.3% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria34.5%
  • 🇮🇳India15.3%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan8.1%
  • 🇬🇭Ghana6.5%
  • 🇰🇪Kenya5.5%

Subjects

37 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 Derby

Also taught at both: Physics, Drama & Theatre, English Studies, Accounting, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Finance & Actuarial Science, Health & Social Care, Business Studies, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Creative Writing, Games Design & Computer Animation, Human Geography & Environment, Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Computing & IT, Ecology & Conservation, Film Production & Cinematography, Human Resource Management, Social Work, Zoology & Animal Biology, Clinical & Health Psychology, English Language.

Only at Royal Holloway, University of London

Only at University of Derby

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 Derby
£16,900

University of Derby is about £9,900 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Royal Holloway, University of London
£26,400
University of Derby
£17,500

University of Derby is about £8,900 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 Derby

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    84%Satisfaction85%

  • Economics

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    84%Satisfaction93%

  • Law

    No dataSalary (3 years)£20,500
    84%Satisfaction87%

  • Computer Science

    £41,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    83%Satisfaction73%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    88%Satisfaction90%

  • Marketing

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    83%Satisfaction88%

  • History

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    94%Satisfaction100%

  • Geology & Earth Sciences

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    91%Satisfaction86%

  • Music

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£18,500
    84%Satisfaction99%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    No dataSalary (3 years)£29,000
    98%Satisfaction98%

  • Psychology (General)

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£20,000
    88%Satisfaction90%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£20,000
    82%Satisfaction92%

Showing the 12 largest of 20 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 Derby

Biomedical Science Excellence Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Golding Awards

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sarah Essam Football Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sitwell Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

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

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,800 a year at Royal Holloway, University of London and £16,900 at University of Derby: University of Derby is about £9,900 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,400 a year at Royal Holloway, University of London and £17,500 at University of Derby: University of Derby is about £8,900 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 Derby?

Both universities teach 37 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Sociology & Criminology, Economics, Law, Computer Science, Politics & International Relations, Marketing, History, Geology & Earth Sciences, Management, Music, Electronic & Electrical Engineering and 25 more.

Is Royal Holloway, University of London or University of Derby better for Sociology & Criminology?

Sociology & Criminology graduates earn a median £24,000 three years after graduating from Royal Holloway, University of London, and £20,500 from University of Derby. Student satisfaction with teaching is 84% at Royal Holloway, University of London and 85% at University of Derby. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Derby lists 375 courses on CourseOptions and Royal Holloway, University of London lists 351 courses.

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

Royal Holloway, University of London teaches 23 subject areas that University of Derby does not, including Biochemistry, German & Scandinavian Studies, Classical Studies, English Literature, Ancient Languages, Philosophy, Geography (General), Liberal Arts and 15 more.

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

University of Derby teaches 37 subject areas that Royal Holloway, University of London does not, including Design & Fashion, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Civil Engineering, Education Studies, Adult Nursing, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Journalism and 29 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 Derby375 courses · 6 scholarshipsBrowse Courses