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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 Southampton

Southampton · QS World #111

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.

0/11

Royal Holloway

scored higher in 0 categories

VS

11/11

Southampton

scored higher in 11 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Southampton leads in 11 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Royal Holloway, University of London does not lead in any category where both have data.

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

Royal Holloway, University of London and University of Southampton both teach 46 subject areas, the largest being Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Computer Science and Geology & Earth Sciences. Royal Holloway, University of London offers 351 courses across 60 subject areas; University of Southampton offers 545 courses across 91 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,800 a year at Royal Holloway, University of London and £26,000 at University of Southampton: University of Southampton is about £800 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,400 a year at Royal Holloway, University of London and £31,200 at University of Southampton: Royal Holloway, University of London is about £4,800 a year cheaper.

Of the 25 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Southampton is higher in 20 and Royal Holloway, University of London in 2, with 3 about level. The widest gap is in Archaeology: £25,500 three years after graduating from Royal Holloway, University of London, against £18,500 from University of Southampton. Of the 28 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Royal Holloway, University of London is higher in 14 and University of Southampton in 14.

World & National Rankings

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

#485
QS World
#111
#401
THE World
#129
#45
Guardian UK
#16
1879
Established
1862
No
Russell Group
Yes
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

University of Southampton

85.7%
87%

Satisfaction

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

£36,152.9
£37,200

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

78.6%
82.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16.7%
35.1%

International

International student share

351
545

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

32
52

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

Southampton

103 countries · 35.1% international

  • 🇨🇳China63.5%
  • 🇮🇳India4.8%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia2.8%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia2.6%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.5%

Subjects

46 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 Southampton

Also taught at both: English Literature, Ancient Languages, Biochemistry, Archaeology, Marketing, Philosophy, Accounting, Business Studies, Psychology (General), Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Social Policy & Public Policy, Biology, Ecology & Conservation, Human Geography & Environment, Physical Geography & Climate, Biomedical Sciences, Clinical & Health Psychology, Health & Social Care, Liberal Arts, Zoology & Animal Biology, Applied Psychology, Computing & IT, Counselling & Psychotherapy, English Language, English Studies, Human Resource Management, Biological Sciences (General), Creative Writing, Cultural Studies, Games Design & Computer Animation, Social Sciences (General).

Only at Royal Holloway, University of London

Only at University of Southampton

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 Southampton
£26,000

University of Southampton is about £800 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Royal Holloway, University of London
£26,400
University of Southampton
£31,200

Royal Holloway, University of London is about £4,800 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 Southampton

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    No dataSalary (3 years)£40,500
    98%Satisfaction89%

  • Computer Science

    £41,000Salary (3 years)£47,000
    83%Satisfaction80%

  • Geology & Earth Sciences

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    91%Satisfaction89%

  • Economics

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£34,000
    84%Satisfaction85%

  • Law

    No dataSalary (3 years)£28,500
    84%Satisfaction87%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    88%Satisfaction85%

  • Physics

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    94%Satisfaction87%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    84%Satisfaction86%

  • History

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    94%Satisfaction91%

  • Mathematics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    83%Satisfaction81%

  • Management

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£31,500
    83%Satisfaction90%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    82%Satisfaction87%

Showing the 12 largest of 28 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 Southampton

Horizon Europe fee waiver

100%

Deadline: N/A

Cowrie Foundation Scholarship

£8,000

Deadline: N/A

Xiamen University PhD Scholarships

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sociology Criminology International Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Southampton Ageing & Gerontology Talent Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

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

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,800 a year at Royal Holloway, University of London and £26,000 at University of Southampton: University of Southampton is about £800 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,400 a year at Royal Holloway, University of London and £31,200 at University of Southampton: Royal Holloway, University of London is about £4,800 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 Southampton?

Both universities teach 46 subject areas: Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Geology & Earth Sciences, Business & Management (General), Economics, Law, Politics & International Relations, Physics, Sociology & Criminology, History, Finance & Actuarial Science, Mathematics and 34 more.

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

Computer Science graduates earn a median £41,000 three years after graduating from Royal Holloway, University of London, and £47,000 from University of Southampton. Student satisfaction with teaching is 83% at Royal Holloway, University of London and 80% at University of Southampton. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Southampton lists 545 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 Southampton?

Royal Holloway, University of London teaches 14 subject areas that University of Southampton does not, including German & Scandinavian Studies, Classical Studies, Drama & Theatre, Geography (General), Astronomy & Astrophysics, French, Social Work, Italian and 6 more.

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

University of Southampton teaches 45 subject areas that Royal Holloway, University of London does not, including General Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Design & Fashion, Environmental Sciences, Chemistry and 37 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 Southampton545 courses · 52 scholarshipsBrowse Courses