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
Belfast · QS World #595
Head-to-Head Summary
Based on 9 datapoints
We looked at 9 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.
5/9
SOAS University of London
scored higher in 5 categories
4/9
Ulster
scored higher in 4 categories
Quick Verdict
SOAS University of London leads in 5 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, established, courses, scholarship). Ulster University is ahead on ranking, satisfaction, employment, international.
SOAS University of London vs Ulster University at a glance
SOAS University of London and Ulster University both teach 16 subject areas, the largest being Media & Film Studies, Politics & International Relations and Law. SOAS University of London offers 296 courses across 29 subject areas; Ulster University offers 170 courses across 66 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,780 a year at SOAS University of London and £17,490 at Ulster University: Ulster University is about £6,290 a year cheaper.
Of the 8 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Ulster University is higher in 5 and SOAS University of London in 2, 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
Ulster 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%
Ulster
45 countries · 32.5% international
- 🇵🇰Pakistan27.8%
- 🇮🇪Ireland21.4%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria16.1%
- 🇮🇳India12.6%
- 🇧🇩Bangladesh8.6%
Subjects
16 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
Ulster University
Media & Film Studies
41 coursesTypical fee £23,780 (UG)
3 coursesTypical fee £17,490 (UG)
Politics & International Relations
34 coursesTypical fee £23,780 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £17,490 (UG)
Law
13 coursesTypical fee £23,780 (UG)
9 coursesTypical fee £17,490 (UG)
Creative Arts (General)
18 coursesTypical fee £23,780 (UG)
1 courseTypical fee £17,490 (UG)
Music
Economics
10 coursesTypical fee £23,780 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £17,490 (UG)
History
Sociology & Criminology
Accounting
Civil Engineering
Electronic & Electrical Engineering
Linguistics
Social Policy & Public Policy
Finance & Actuarial Science
Management
Also taught at both: Liberal Arts.
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
- Ulster University
- £17,490
Ulster University is about £6,290 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- SOAS University of London
- £25,320
- Ulster University
- No data
We do not have reliable international fee data for Ulster University yet.
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
Ulster University
Politics & International Relations
£31,000Salary (3 years)No data90%Satisfaction84%Law
£28,000Salary (3 years)No data77%Satisfaction87%Music
No dataSalary (3 years)No data87%Satisfaction90%Economics
£35,000Salary (3 years)No data83%Satisfaction88%History
£26,500Salary (3 years)No data89%Satisfaction92%Accounting
£27,500Salary (3 years)No data88%Satisfaction95%Linguistics
£24,000Salary (3 years)No data98%Satisfaction88%Management
£27,500Salary (3 years)No data73%Satisfaction73%
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
Ulster University
View all scholarships →FAQ
SOAS University of London vs Ulster University: common questions
Is SOAS University of London or Ulster University cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,780 a year at SOAS University of London and £17,490 at Ulster University: Ulster University is about £6,290 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 Ulster University?
Both universities teach 16 subject areas: Media & Film Studies, Politics & International Relations, Law, Creative Arts (General), Music, Economics, History, Sociology & Criminology, Accounting, Civil Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Linguistics and 4 more.
Does SOAS University of London or Ulster University offer more courses?
SOAS University of London lists 296 courses on CourseOptions and Ulster University lists 170 courses.
What can you study at SOAS University of London but not at Ulster University?
SOAS University of London teaches 13 subject areas that Ulster University does not, including Asian Languages & Studies, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Ancient Languages, Anthropology, History of Art & Design, Business & Management (General), International Development, Theology & Religious Studies and 5 more.
What can you study at Ulster University but not at SOAS University of London?
Ulster University teaches 50 subject areas that SOAS University of London does not, including Business Studies, Computer Science, Design & Fashion, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Social Work, Irish Studies, Journalism, Marketing and 42 more.
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