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.
London · QS World #458
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
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.
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
Satisfaction
Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)
Graduate Salaries (5y)
Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation
Employment
Graduate employment rate
International
International student share
Course Counts
Number of courses offered
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%
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
Politics & International Relations
34 coursesTypical fee £23,780 (UG)
35 coursesTypical fee £20,150 (UG)
Media & Film Studies
41 coursesTypical fee £23,780 (UG)
17 coursesTypical fee £18,550 (PG)
Law
13 coursesTypical fee £23,780 (UG)
40 coursesTypical fee £18,250 (UG)
Business & Management (General)
8 coursesTypical fee £23,780 (UG)
33 coursesTypical fee £20,600 (UG)
Economics
10 coursesTypical fee £23,780 (UG)
27 coursesTypical fee £20,600 (UG)
History
8 coursesTypical fee £23,780 (UG)
24 coursesTypical fee £19,950 (PG)
Sociology & Criminology
4 coursesTypical fee £25,320 (PG)
28 coursesTypical fee £20,050 (UG)
Finance & Actuarial Science
2 coursesFee not available
23 coursesTypical fee £20,600 (UG)
Electronic & Electrical Engineering
3 coursesFee not available
19 coursesTypical fee £24,500 (UG)
Civil Engineering
2 coursesTypical fee £25,320 (PG)
19 coursesTypical fee £24,500 (UG)
Accounting
2 coursesTypical fee £23,780 (UG)
10 coursesTypical fee £20,600 (UG)
Philosophy
2 coursesTypical fee £23,780 (UG)
10 coursesTypical fee £20,150 (UG)
Archaeology
Linguistics
Social Policy & Public Policy
Also taught at both: International Development, Theology & Religious Studies, Social Sciences (General), Management, Biological Sciences (General).
Only at SOAS University of London
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)£23,00090%Satisfaction90%Law
£28,000Salary (3 years)£21,00077%Satisfaction82%Business & Management (General)
£27,500Salary (3 years)£25,00082%SatisfactionNo dataEconomics
£35,000Salary (3 years)£30,00083%Satisfaction90%History
£26,500Salary (3 years)£21,50089%Satisfaction90%Accounting
£27,500Salary (3 years)£25,00088%Satisfaction90%Philosophy
£26,000Salary (3 years)£21,50089%Satisfaction90%Linguistics
£24,000Salary (3 years)£21,00098%Satisfaction99%
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveSOAS 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
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
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.
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