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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 Cambridge

Cambridge · QS World #6

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 12 datapoints

We looked at 12 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

1/12

SOAS University of London

scored higher in 1 category

VS

11/12

Cambridge

scored higher in 11 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Cambridge leads in 11 of 12 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, TEF, established, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary, courses). SOAS University of London is ahead on scholarship.

SOAS University of London vs University of Cambridge at a glance

SOAS University of London and University of Cambridge both teach 24 subject areas, the largest being Asian Languages & Studies, Media & Film Studies and Politics & International Relations. SOAS University of London offers 296 courses across 29 subject areas; University of Cambridge offers 336 courses across 79 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,780 a year at SOAS University of London and £32,890 at University of Cambridge: SOAS University of London is about £9,110 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,320 a year at SOAS University of London and £41,300 at University of Cambridge: SOAS University of London is about £15,980 a year cheaper.

Of the 9 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Cambridge is higher in 9 and SOAS University of London in 0. The widest gap is in Economics: £35,000 three years after graduating from SOAS University of London, against £59,500 from University of Cambridge. Of the 9 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Cambridge is higher in 7 and SOAS University of London in 2.

World & National Rankings

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

#458
QS World
#6
#401
THE World
#3
#86
Guardian UK
#2
1916
Established
1209
No
Russell Group
Yes
Silver
TEF Rating
Gold

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 Cambridge

84.1%
92.1%

Satisfaction

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

£32,500
£49,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

74.4%
76.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

25.7%
32.2%

International

International student share

296
336

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

27
0

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

Cambridge

96 countries · 32.2% international

  • 🇨🇳China28.2%
  • 🇺🇸United States10.3%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore6.6%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5.3%
  • 🇮🇳India4.7%

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 Cambridge

Also taught at both: Philosophy, Archaeology, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Management, Finance & Actuarial Science, International Development, Linguistics, Civil Engineering, Social Policy & Public Policy.

Only at SOAS University of London

Only at University of Cambridge

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 Cambridge
£32,890

SOAS University of London is about £9,110 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

SOAS University of London
£25,320
University of Cambridge
£41,300

SOAS University of London is about £15,980 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 Cambridge

  • Asian Languages & Studies

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    86%Satisfaction94%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£34,000
    90%SatisfactionNo data

  • Ancient Languages

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    92%Satisfaction97%

  • History

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    89%Satisfaction95%

  • Law

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£49,000
    77%Satisfaction96%

  • Economics

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£59,500
    83%Satisfaction86%

  • History of Art & Design

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    97%Satisfaction86%

  • Music

    No dataSalary (3 years)£27,000
    87%Satisfaction97%

  • Philosophy

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    89%Satisfaction93%

  • Linguistics

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    98%Satisfaction88%

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 Cambridge

View all scholarships →

FAQ

SOAS University of London vs University of Cambridge: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,780 a year at SOAS University of London and £32,890 at University of Cambridge: SOAS University of London is about £9,110 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,320 a year at SOAS University of London and £41,300 at University of Cambridge: SOAS University of London is about £15,980 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 Cambridge?

Both universities teach 24 subject areas: Asian Languages & Studies, Media & Film Studies, Politics & International Relations, Ancient Languages, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Anthropology, Biological Sciences (General), History, Law, Economics, Business & Management (General), Sociology & Criminology and 12 more.

Is SOAS University of London or University of Cambridge better for Asian Languages & Studies?

Asian Languages & Studies graduates earn a median £24,500 three years after graduating from SOAS University of London, and £30,000 from University of Cambridge. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at SOAS University of London and 94% at University of Cambridge. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Cambridge lists 336 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 Cambridge?

SOAS University of London teaches 5 subject areas that University of Cambridge does not, including Creative Arts (General), Accounting, Cultural Studies, Social Sciences (General) and Liberal Arts.

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

University of Cambridge teaches 55 subject areas that SOAS University of London does not, including Childhood & Youth Studies, General Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Mathematics, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Architecture, Clinical Specialities, Physics and 47 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 Cambridge336 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses