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

U
UCL (University College London)

Camden · QS World #8

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.

1/11

SOAS University of London

scored higher in 1 category

VS

10/11

UCL (University College London)

scored higher in 10 categories

Quick Verdict

UCL (University College London) leads in 10 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary, courses). SOAS University of London is ahead on scholarship.

SOAS University of London vs UCL (University College London) at a glance

SOAS University of London and UCL (University College London) both teach 26 subject areas, the largest being Ancient Languages, Politics & International Relations and Media & Film Studies. SOAS University of London offers 296 courses across 29 subject areas; UCL (University College London) offers 1,131 courses across 109 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,780 a year at SOAS University of London and £29,800 at UCL (University College London): SOAS University of London is about £6,020 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,320 a year at SOAS University of London and £34,700 at UCL (University College London): SOAS University of London is about £9,380 a year cheaper.

Of the 14 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, UCL (University College London) is higher in 14 and SOAS University of London in 0. The widest gap is in Law: £28,000 three years after graduating from SOAS University of London, against £41,000 from UCL (University College London). Of the 15 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, UCL (University College London) is higher in 7 and SOAS University of London in 5, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#458
QS World
#8
#401
THE World
#22
#86
Guardian UK
#9
1916
Established
1826
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.

SOAS University of London

UCL (University College London)

84.1%
86.5%

Satisfaction

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

£32,500
£46,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

74.4%
80.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

25.7%
51.9%

International

International student share

296
1131

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

27
18

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

UCL (University College London)

127 countries · 51.9% international

  • 🇨🇳China53.3%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.9%
  • 🇺🇸United States4.2%
  • 🇮🇳India3.4%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore2.4%

Subjects

26 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

UCL (University College London)

Also taught at both: Linguistics, Archaeology, History of Art & Design, Music, Social Policy & Public Policy, Theology & Religious Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, International Development, Social Sciences (General), Biological Sciences (General), Accounting.

Only at SOAS University of London

Only at UCL (University College 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
UCL (University College London)
£29,800

SOAS University of London is about £6,020 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

SOAS University of London
£25,320
UCL (University College London)
£34,700

SOAS University of London is about £9,380 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

UCL (University College London)

  • Ancient Languages

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    92%Satisfaction92%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    90%Satisfaction87%

  • Anthropology

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    94%Satisfaction88%

  • African & Middle Eastern Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    77%Satisfaction89%

  • Economics

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£45,000
    83%Satisfaction79%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£38,000
    82%Satisfaction93%

  • Law

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£41,000
    77%Satisfaction92%

  • History

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    89%Satisfaction91%

  • Creative Arts (General)

    No dataSalary (3 years)£18,500
    87%Satisfaction96%

  • Management

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£38,000
    73%Satisfaction90%

  • Philosophy

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    89%Satisfaction88%

  • Linguistics

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    98%Satisfaction94%

Showing the 12 largest of 15 shared subjects with published outcomes.

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 →

UCL (University College London)

Commercial Bar Opportunity Scholarship

£25,000

Deadline: N/A

AHRC Doctoral Landscape Award

100%

Deadline: N/A

UCL Department of Arts and Sciences (UASc) Interdisciplinary Excellence PhD Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Law Society Pro Bono Bursary

£250

Deadline: N/A

Alonso Gurmendi Dunkelberg, UCL Graduate Research Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

SOAS University of London vs UCL (University College London): common questions

Is SOAS University of London or UCL (University College London) cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,780 a year at SOAS University of London and £29,800 at UCL (University College London): SOAS University of London is about £6,020 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,320 a year at SOAS University of London and £34,700 at UCL (University College London): SOAS University of London is about £9,380 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 UCL (University College London)?

Both universities teach 26 subject areas: Ancient Languages, Politics & International Relations, Media & Film Studies, Anthropology, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Economics, Business & Management (General), Sociology & Criminology, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Law, History, Civil Engineering and 14 more.

Is SOAS University of London or UCL (University College London) better for Ancient Languages?

Ancient Languages graduates earn a median £24,000 three years after graduating from SOAS University of London, and £31,000 from UCL (University College London). Student satisfaction with teaching is 92% at SOAS University of London and 92% at UCL (University College London). Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does SOAS University of London or UCL (University College London) offer more courses?

UCL (University College London) lists 1,131 courses on CourseOptions and SOAS University of London lists 296 courses.

What can you study at SOAS University of London but not at UCL (University College London)?

SOAS University of London teaches 3 subject areas that UCL (University College London) does not, including Asian Languages & Studies, Cultural Studies and Liberal Arts.

What can you study at UCL (University College London) but not at SOAS University of London?

UCL (University College London) teaches 83 subject areas that SOAS University of London does not, including German & Scandinavian Studies, Eastern European Languages, Childhood & Youth Studies, Psychology (General), Mathematics, Biomedical Sciences, Computer Science, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science and 75 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

S
SOAS University of London296 courses · 27 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
UCL (University College London)1,131 courses · 18 scholarshipsBrowse Courses