Skip to main content

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.

S
SOAS University of London

London · QS World #458

S
Swansea University

Swansea · QS World #322

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 10 datapoints

We looked at 10 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

4/10

SOAS University of London

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

6/10

Swansea

scored higher in 6 categories

Quick Verdict

Swansea University leads in 6 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, satisfaction, employment, courses). SOAS University of London is ahead on established, international, graduate salary, scholarship.

SOAS University of London vs Swansea University at a glance

SOAS University of London and Swansea University both teach 20 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Media & Film Studies and Law. SOAS University of London offers 296 courses across 29 subject areas; Swansea University offers 916 courses across 97 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,780 a year at SOAS University of London and £21,550 at Swansea University: Swansea University is about £2,230 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,320 a year at SOAS University of London and £22,950 at Swansea University: Swansea University is about £2,370 a year cheaper.

Of the 8 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, SOAS University of London is higher in 8 and Swansea University in 0. The widest gap is in Politics & International Relations: £31,000 three years after graduating from SOAS University of London, against £23,000 from Swansea University. Of the 7 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Swansea University is higher in 6 and SOAS University of London in 0, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#458
QS World
#322
#401
THE World
#301
#86
Guardian UK
#32
1916
Established
1920
No
Russell Group
No
Silver
TEF Rating
—

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.

SOAS University of London

Swansea University

84.1%
86.1%

Satisfaction

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

£32,500
£31,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

74.4%
78.5%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

25.7%
14.1%

International

International student share

296
916

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

27
5

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.

SOAS University of London

67 countries · 25.7% international

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

Swansea

73 countries · 14.1% international

  • 🇮🇳India25.4%
  • 🇨🇳China12.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria8.2%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia4.5%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong3.9%

Subjects

20 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.

SOAS University of London

Swansea University

Also taught at both: International Development, Theology & Religious Studies, Social Sciences (General), Management, Biological Sciences (General).

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

SOAS University of London
£23,780
Swansea University
£21,550

Swansea University is about £2,230 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

SOAS University of London
£25,320
Swansea University
£22,950

Swansea University is about £2,370 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.

SOAS University of London

Swansea University

  • Politics & International Relations

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    90%Satisfaction90%
  • Law

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    77%Satisfaction82%
  • Business & Management (General)

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    82%SatisfactionNo data
  • Economics

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    83%Satisfaction90%
  • History

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£21,500
    89%Satisfaction90%
  • Accounting

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    88%Satisfaction90%
  • Philosophy

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£21,500
    89%Satisfaction90%
  • Linguistics

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    98%Satisfaction99%

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

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 →

Swansea University

History and Heritage Studies: AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership Studentship (Fully Funded) in History with Museum Wales (RS950)

100%

Deadline: N/A

History: AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership Studentship (Fully Funded) in History with The National Archives (RS948)

100%

Deadline: N/A

History: AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership Studentship in History with Museum Wales (RS949)

See details

Deadline: N/A

PhD Studentship in Sustainable Fusion Steels: Whole Lifecycle Design of Tokamak Vacuum Vessel Steels (RS964)

See details

Deadline: N/A

Swansea University International Postgraduate Research Excellence Scholarships 2025/26

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

SOAS University of London vs Swansea University: common questions

Is SOAS University of London or Swansea University cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,780 a year at SOAS University of London and £21,550 at Swansea University: Swansea University is about £2,230 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,320 a year at SOAS University of London and £22,950 at Swansea University: Swansea University is about £2,370 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 SOAS University of London and Swansea University?

Both universities teach 20 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Media & Film Studies, Law, Business & Management (General), Economics, History, Sociology & Criminology, Finance & Actuarial Science, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Accounting, Philosophy and 8 more.

Is SOAS University of London or Swansea University better for Politics & International Relations?

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £31,000 three years after graduating from SOAS University of London, and £23,000 from Swansea University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 90% at SOAS University of London and 90% at Swansea University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does SOAS University of London or Swansea University offer more courses?

Swansea University lists 916 courses on CourseOptions and SOAS University of London lists 296 courses.

What can you study at SOAS University of London but not at Swansea University?

SOAS University of London teaches 9 subject areas that Swansea University does not, including Asian Languages & Studies, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Ancient Languages, Anthropology, Creative Arts (General), History of Art & Design, Music, Cultural Studies and 1 more.

What can you study at Swansea University but not at SOAS University of London?

Swansea University teaches 77 subject areas that SOAS University of London does not, including Computer Science, Mathematics, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Physics, Teacher Training, Business Studies, Genetics & Genomics, Biomedical Sciences and 69 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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