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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 Chester

Chester · Guardian UK #91

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

VS

4/9

Chester

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

SOAS University of London leads in 5 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, satisfaction, graduate salary, scholarship). University of Chester is ahead on established, employment, international, courses.

SOAS University of London vs University of Chester at a glance

SOAS University of London and University of Chester both teach 15 subject areas, the largest being Media & Film Studies, Politics & International Relations and Asian Languages & Studies. SOAS University of London offers 296 courses across 29 subject areas; University of Chester offers 329 courses across 73 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,780 a year at SOAS University of London and £14,950 at University of Chester: University of Chester is about £8,830 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,320 a year at SOAS University of London and £15,500 at University of Chester: University of Chester is about £9,820 a year cheaper.

Of the 7 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, SOAS University of London is higher in 7 and University of Chester in 0. The widest gap is in Politics & International Relations: £31,000 three years after graduating from SOAS University of London, against £21,000 from University of Chester. Of the 8 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, SOAS University of London is higher in 4 and University of Chester in 3, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#458
QS World
—
#401
THE World
#1501
#86
Guardian UK
#91
1916
Established
1839
No
Russell Group
No
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 Chester

84.1%
83.9%

Satisfaction

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

£32,500
£27,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

74.4%
84.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

25.7%
28.7%

International

International student share

296
329

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

27
3

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

Chester

52 countries · 28.7% international

  • 🇮🇳India32.1%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan26.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria11.7%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka7.1%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh2.8%

Subjects

15 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 Chester

Only at SOAS University of London

Only at University of Chester

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 Chester
£14,950

University of Chester is about £8,830 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

SOAS University of London
£25,320
University of Chester
£15,500

University of Chester is about £9,820 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 Chester

  • Politics & International Relations

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    90%Satisfaction86%

  • Asian Languages & Studies

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    86%Satisfaction88%

  • Ancient Languages

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    92%Satisfaction88%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£21,500
    82%Satisfaction79%

  • Law

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    77%Satisfaction89%

  • History

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    89%Satisfaction94%

  • Music

    No dataSalary (3 years)£17,500
    87%Satisfaction73%

  • Accounting

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    88%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 Chester

NHS Learning Support Fund

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

Visit Us Travel Bursary

£100

Deadline: N/A

Futures Employability Fund

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

SOAS University of London vs University of Chester: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,780 a year at SOAS University of London and £14,950 at University of Chester: University of Chester is about £8,830 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,320 a year at SOAS University of London and £15,500 at University of Chester: University of Chester is about £9,820 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 Chester?

Both universities teach 15 subject areas: Media & Film Studies, Politics & International Relations, Asian Languages & Studies, Ancient Languages, Business & Management (General), Law, Sociology & Criminology, History, Music, Archaeology, Theology & Religious Studies, Accounting and 3 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £31,000 three years after graduating from SOAS University of London, and £21,000 from University of Chester. Student satisfaction with teaching is 90% at SOAS University of London and 86% at University of Chester. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Chester lists 329 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 Chester?

SOAS University of London teaches 14 subject areas that University of Chester does not, including African & Middle Eastern Studies, Anthropology, Creative Arts (General), Economics, History of Art & Design, International Development, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Linguistics and 6 more.

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

University of Chester teaches 58 subject areas that SOAS University of London does not, including Childhood & Youth Studies, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Psychology (General), Design & Fashion, Computer Science, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Software Engineering, Geography (General) and 50 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 Chester329 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses