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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 Cumbria

Lancaster · Guardian UK #101

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 8 datapoints

We looked at 8 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

7/8

SOAS University of London

scored higher in 7 categories

VS

1/8

Cumbria

scored higher in 1 category

Quick Verdict

SOAS University of London leads in 7 of 8 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Cumbria is ahead on employment.

SOAS University of London vs University of Cumbria at a glance

SOAS University of London and University of Cumbria both teach 4 subject areas, the largest being Law, Business & Management (General) and Sociology & Criminology. SOAS University of London offers 296 courses across 29 subject areas; University of Cumbria offers 136 courses across 40 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,780 a year at SOAS University of London and £16,000 at University of Cumbria: University of Cumbria is about £7,780 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,320 a year at SOAS University of London and £16,900 at University of Cumbria: University of Cumbria is about £8,420 a year cheaper.

Of the 3 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, SOAS University of London is higher in 3 and University of Cumbria in 0. The widest gap is in Law: £28,000 three years after graduating from SOAS University of London, against £18,500 from University of Cumbria. Of the 3 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Cumbria is higher in 3 and SOAS University of London in 0.

World & National Rankings

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

#458
QS World
—
#401
THE World
—
#86
Guardian UK
#101
1916
Established
2007
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 Cumbria

84.1%
80.5%

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%
89.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

25.7%
2.6%

International

International student share

296
136

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

27
1

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

Cumbria

14 countries · 2.6% international

  • 🇨🇦Canada14.9%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan14.9%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria10.6%
  • 🇩🇪Germany8.5%
  • 🇮🇪Ireland8.5%

Subjects

4 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 Cumbria

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 Cumbria
£16,000

University of Cumbria is about £7,780 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

SOAS University of London
£25,320
University of Cumbria
£16,900

University of Cumbria is about £8,420 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 Cumbria

  • Law

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£18,500
    77%Satisfaction95%
  • Business & Management (General)

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    82%Satisfaction85%
  • Management

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    73%Satisfaction76%

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 Cumbria

Future Talent Award

£8,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

SOAS University of London vs University of Cumbria: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,780 a year at SOAS University of London and £16,000 at University of Cumbria: University of Cumbria is about £7,780 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,320 a year at SOAS University of London and £16,900 at University of Cumbria: University of Cumbria is about £8,420 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 Cumbria?

Both universities teach 4 subject areas: Law, Business & Management (General), Sociology & Criminology and Management.

Is SOAS University of London or University of Cumbria better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £28,000 three years after graduating from SOAS University of London, and £18,500 from University of Cumbria. Student satisfaction with teaching is 77% at SOAS University of London and 95% at University of Cumbria. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

SOAS University of London lists 296 courses on CourseOptions and University of Cumbria lists 136 courses.

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

SOAS University of London teaches 25 subject areas that University of Cumbria does not, including Media & Film Studies, Asian Languages & Studies, Politics & International Relations, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Ancient Languages, Anthropology, Creative Arts (General), Economics and 17 more.

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

University of Cumbria teaches 36 subject areas that SOAS University of London does not, including Childhood & Youth Studies, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Film Production & Cinematography, Design & Fashion, Forestry & Arboriculture, Business Studies, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Psychology (General) and 28 more.

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