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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 Plymouth

Plymouth · QS World #691

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.

7/11

Royal Holloway

scored higher in 7 categories

VS

4/11

Plymouth

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

Royal Holloway, University of London leads in 7 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Plymouth is ahead on TEF, established, satisfaction, employment.

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

Royal Holloway, University of London and University of Plymouth both teach 38 subject areas, the largest being Geology & Earth Sciences, Computer Science and Law. Royal Holloway, University of London offers 351 courses across 60 subject areas; University of Plymouth offers 310 courses across 78 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,800 a year at Royal Holloway, University of London and £19,200 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £7,600 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,400 a year at Royal Holloway, University of London and £19,500 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £6,900 a year cheaper.

Of the 21 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Royal Holloway, University of London is higher in 20 and University of Plymouth in 1. The widest gap is in Games Design & Computer Animation: £41,000 three years after graduating from Royal Holloway, University of London, against £27,500 from University of Plymouth. Of the 21 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Plymouth is higher in 9 and Royal Holloway, University of London in 8, with 4 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#485
QS World
#691
#401
THE World
#501
#45
Guardian UK
#56
1879
Established
1862
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 Plymouth

85.7%
86.6%

Satisfaction

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

£36,152.9
£30,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

78.6%
84.2%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16.7%
11.9%

International

International student share

351
310

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

32
10

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

Plymouth

71 countries · 11.9% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria14.6%
  • 🇨🇳China12.2%
  • 🇮🇳India11%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.7%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka3.3%

Subjects

38 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 Plymouth

Also taught at both: Physical Geography & Climate, Drama & Theatre, Human Geography & Environment, Marketing, Business Studies, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Media & Film Studies, English Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Geography (General), Film Production & Cinematography, Social Work, Zoology & Animal Biology, Accounting, Applied Psychology, Biology, Clinical & Health Psychology, Creative Writing, Games Design & Computer Animation, Human Resource Management, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biological Sciences (General), Social Sciences (General).

Only at Royal Holloway, University of London

Only at University of Plymouth

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 Plymouth
£19,200

University of Plymouth is about £7,600 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Royal Holloway, University of London
£26,400
University of Plymouth
£19,500

University of Plymouth is about £6,900 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 Plymouth

  • Geology & Earth Sciences

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    91%Satisfaction91%

  • Computer Science

    £41,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    83%Satisfaction72%

  • Law

    No dataSalary (3 years)£21,500
    84%Satisfaction84%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    88%Satisfaction86%

  • Economics

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    84%Satisfaction91%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    84%Satisfaction83%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    No dataSalary (3 years)£32,000
    98%Satisfaction91%

  • Management

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    83%SatisfactionNo data

  • Mathematics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    83%Satisfaction86%

  • History

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£20,500
    94%Satisfaction94%

  • Psychology (General)

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£21,500
    88%Satisfaction84%

  • Ecology & Conservation

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£20,500
    89%Satisfaction94%

Showing the 12 largest of 24 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 Plymouth

GREAT Scholarships

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

International Undergraduate Welcome to Plymouth Scholarship

£6,000

Deadline: N/A

Tamar Engineering Project

£4,500

Deadline: Jun 2026

International Postgraduate Welcome to Plymouth Scholarship

£4,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

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

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,800 a year at Royal Holloway, University of London and £19,200 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £7,600 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,400 a year at Royal Holloway, University of London and £19,500 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £6,900 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 Plymouth?

Both universities teach 38 subject areas: Geology & Earth Sciences, Computer Science, Law, Politics & International Relations, Economics, Sociology & Criminology, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Management, Mathematics, Business & Management (General), History, Music and 26 more.

Is Royal Holloway, University of London or University of Plymouth better for Geology & Earth Sciences?

Geology & Earth Sciences graduates earn a median £25,000 three years after graduating from Royal Holloway, University of London, and £24,500 from University of Plymouth. Student satisfaction with teaching is 91% at Royal Holloway, University of London and 91% at University of Plymouth. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

Royal Holloway, University of London lists 351 courses on CourseOptions and University of Plymouth lists 310 courses.

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

Royal Holloway, University of London teaches 22 subject areas that University of Plymouth does not, including Biochemistry, German & Scandinavian Studies, Physics, Classical Studies, English Literature, Ancient Languages, Philosophy, Liberal Arts and 14 more.

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

University of Plymouth teaches 40 subject areas that Royal Holloway, University of London does not, including Design & Fashion, Civil Engineering, Adult Nursing, Nutrition & Dietetics, Dentistry, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Marine Engineering & Technology, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation and 32 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 Plymouth310 courses · 10 scholarshipsBrowse Courses