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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 Derby

Derby · QS World #1201

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.

5/11

SOAS University of London

scored higher in 5 categories

VS

6/11

Derby

scored higher in 6 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Derby leads in 6 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, TEF, established, satisfaction, employment, courses). SOAS University of London is ahead on ranking, international, graduate salary, scholarship.

SOAS University of London vs University of Derby at a glance

SOAS University of London and University of Derby both teach 13 subject areas, the largest being Media & Film Studies, Politics & International Relations and Business & Management (General). SOAS University of London offers 296 courses across 29 subject areas; University of Derby offers 375 courses across 74 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,780 a year at SOAS University of London and £16,900 at University of Derby: University of Derby is about £6,880 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,320 a year at SOAS University of London and £17,500 at University of Derby: University of Derby is about £7,820 a year cheaper.

Of the 6 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, SOAS University of London is higher in 6 and University of Derby in 0. The widest gap is in Economics: £35,000 three years after graduating from SOAS University of London, against £22,500 from University of Derby. Of the 7 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Derby is higher in 6 and SOAS University of London in 0, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#458
QS World
#1201
#401
THE World
#601
#86
Guardian UK
#80
1916
Established
1851
No
Russell Group
No
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 Derby

84.1%
88.5%

Satisfaction

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

£32,500
£27,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

74.4%
85.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

25.7%
14.3%

International

International student share

296
375

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

27
6

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

Derby

64 countries · 14.3% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria34.5%
  • 🇮🇳India15.3%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan8.1%
  • 🇬🇭Ghana6.5%
  • 🇰🇪Kenya5.5%

Subjects

13 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 Derby

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 Derby
£16,900

University of Derby is about £6,880 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

SOAS University of London
£25,320
University of Derby
£17,500

University of Derby is about £7,820 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 Derby

  • Politics & International Relations

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    90%Satisfaction90%
  • Business & Management (General)

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    82%Satisfaction93%
  • Law

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    77%Satisfaction87%
  • Economics

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    83%Satisfaction93%
  • History

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    89%Satisfaction100%
  • Music

    No dataSalary (3 years)£18,500
    87%Satisfaction99%
  • Accounting

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    88%Satisfaction90%

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 Derby

Biomedical Science Excellence Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Golding Awards

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sarah Essam Football Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sitwell Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

SOAS University of London vs University of Derby: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,780 a year at SOAS University of London and £16,900 at University of Derby: University of Derby is about £6,880 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,320 a year at SOAS University of London and £17,500 at University of Derby: University of Derby is about £7,820 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 Derby?

Both universities teach 13 subject areas: Media & Film Studies, Politics & International Relations, Business & Management (General), Law, Sociology & Criminology, Economics, History, Music, Civil Engineering, Accounting, Finance & Actuarial Science, Electronic & Electrical Engineering and 1 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £31,000 three years after graduating from SOAS University of London, and £22,500 from University of Derby. Student satisfaction with teaching is 90% at SOAS University of London and 90% at University of Derby. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Derby lists 375 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 Derby?

SOAS University of London teaches 16 subject areas that University of Derby does not, including Asian Languages & Studies, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Ancient Languages, Anthropology, Creative Arts (General), History of Art & Design, International Development, Theology & Religious Studies and 8 more.

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

University of Derby teaches 61 subject areas that SOAS University of London does not, including Design & Fashion, Marketing, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Psychology (General), English Studies, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Education Studies and 53 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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