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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.

S
SOAS University of London

London · QS World #458

U
University of Bristol

Bristol · QS World #57

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

SOAS University of London

scored higher in 0 categories

VS

11/11

Bristol

scored higher in 11 categories

Quick Verdict

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

SOAS University of London vs University of Bristol at a glance

SOAS University of London and University of Bristol both teach 24 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Media & Film Studies and Asian Languages & Studies. SOAS University of London offers 296 courses across 29 subject areas; University of Bristol offers 479 courses across 83 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,780 a year at SOAS University of London and £31,300 at University of Bristol: SOAS University of London is about £7,520 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,320 a year at SOAS University of London and £28,460 at University of Bristol: SOAS University of London is about £3,140 a year cheaper.

Of the 10 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Bristol is higher in 8 and SOAS University of London in 1, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Management: £27,500 three years after graduating from SOAS University of London, against £44,000 from University of Bristol. Of the 12 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, SOAS University of London is higher in 6 and University of Bristol in 6.

World & National Rankings

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

#458
QS World
#57
#401
THE World
#80
#86
Guardian UK
#13
1916
Established
1876
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

University of Bristol

84.1%
88%

Satisfaction

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

£32,500
£43,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

74.4%
77.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

25.7%
33.6%

International

International student share

296
479

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

27
54

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

Bristol

104 countries · 33.6% international

  • 🇨🇳China53.5%
  • 🇮🇳India7.2%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong3.8%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.6%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore2.8%

Subjects

24 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

University of Bristol

Also taught at both: Sociology & Criminology, Accounting, Finance & Actuarial Science, Civil Engineering, Theology & Religious Studies, Archaeology, Linguistics, Liberal Arts, Social Sciences (General).

Only at SOAS University of London

Only at University of Bristol

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
University of Bristol
£31,300

SOAS University of London is about £7,520 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

SOAS University of London
£25,320
University of Bristol
£28,460

SOAS University of London is about £3,140 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

University of Bristol

  • Politics & International Relations

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    90%Satisfaction89%

  • Ancient Languages

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    92%Satisfaction91%

  • Economics

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£42,000
    83%Satisfaction81%

  • Law

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£35,000
    77%Satisfaction87%

  • Anthropology

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    94%Satisfaction91%

  • Management

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£44,000
    73%Satisfaction84%

  • History

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£28,500
    89%Satisfaction90%

  • Music

    No dataSalary (3 years)£24,000
    87%Satisfaction99%

  • History of Art & Design

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    97%Satisfaction91%

  • Philosophy

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

  • Accounting

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    88%Satisfaction86%

  • Liberal Arts

    No dataSalary (3 years)No data
    85%Satisfaction91%

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 →

University of Bristol

Black Heritage PhD Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Black heritage PhD scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Bristol Postgraduate Research Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Bristol Postgraduate Research Scholarships for applicants of Black heritage

100%

Deadline: N/A

British Council scholarships for Women

100%

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

SOAS University of London vs University of Bristol: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,780 a year at SOAS University of London and £31,300 at University of Bristol: SOAS University of London is about £7,520 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,320 a year at SOAS University of London and £28,460 at University of Bristol: SOAS University of London is about £3,140 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 University of Bristol?

Both universities teach 24 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Media & Film Studies, Asian Languages & Studies, Ancient Languages, Economics, Law, Anthropology, Management, History, Music, Business & Management (General), Electronic & Electrical Engineering and 12 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £31,000 three years after graduating from SOAS University of London, and £31,000 from University of Bristol. Student satisfaction with teaching is 90% at SOAS University of London and 89% at University of Bristol. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Bristol lists 479 courses on CourseOptions and SOAS University of London lists 296 courses.

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

SOAS University of London teaches 5 subject areas that University of Bristol does not, including African & Middle Eastern Studies, Creative Arts (General), International Development, Cultural Studies and Biological Sciences (General).

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

University of Bristol teaches 59 subject areas that SOAS University of London does not, including Mathematics, Physics, Anatomy & Pathology, Computer Science, Dentistry, Geology & Earth Sciences, Chemistry, Biochemistry and 51 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
University of Bristol479 courses · 54 scholarshipsBrowse Courses