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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 Exeter

Devon · QS World #136

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.

3/12

SOAS University of London

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

9/12

Exeter

scored higher in 9 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Exeter leads in 9 of 12 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, TEF, satisfaction, employment, graduate salary, courses). SOAS University of London is ahead on established, international, scholarship.

SOAS University of London vs University of Exeter at a glance

SOAS University of London and University of Exeter both teach 23 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Media & Film Studies and Law. SOAS University of London offers 296 courses across 29 subject areas; University of Exeter offers 873 courses across 91 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,780 a year at SOAS University of London and £24,950 at University of Exeter: SOAS University of London is about £1,170 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,320 a year at SOAS University of London and £25,550 at University of Exeter, so the two cost about the same.

Of the 12 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Exeter is higher in 10 and SOAS University of London in 1, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Accounting: £27,500 three years after graduating from SOAS University of London, against £43,500 from University of Exeter. Of the 13 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Exeter is higher in 7 and SOAS University of London in 5, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#458
QS World
#136
#401
THE World
#170
#86
Guardian UK
#14
1916
Established
1922
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 Exeter

84.1%
87.7%

Satisfaction

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

£32,500
£39,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

74.4%
82.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

25.7%
22.2%

International

International student share

296
873

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

27
2

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

Exeter

111 countries · 22.2% international

  • 🇨🇳China25.1%
  • 🇮🇳India10.9%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong10%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia2.9%
  • 🇺🇸United States2.8%

Subjects

23 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 Exeter

Also taught at both: Archaeology, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Accounting, Management, Biological Sciences (General), Cultural Studies, Social Sciences (General), Liberal Arts.

Only at SOAS University of London

Only at University of Exeter

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 Exeter
£24,950

SOAS University of London is about £1,170 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

SOAS University of London
£25,320
University of Exeter
£25,550

About the same.

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 Exeter

  • Politics & International Relations

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    90%Satisfaction88%

  • Law

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    77%Satisfaction86%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£39,000
    82%Satisfaction84%

  • Ancient Languages

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    92%Satisfaction91%

  • History

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    89%Satisfaction92%

  • History of Art & Design

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    97%Satisfaction87%

  • Economics

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£40,000
    83%Satisfaction88%

  • Anthropology

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    94%Satisfaction89%

  • African & Middle Eastern Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    77%Satisfaction100%

  • Philosophy

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    89%Satisfaction89%

  • Accounting

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£43,500
    88%Satisfaction86%

  • Management

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£36,000
    73%Satisfaction87%

Showing the 12 largest of 13 shared subjects with published outcomes.

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 Exeter

Bell Burnell Graduate Scholarship Fund

See details

Deadline: N/A

Carolyn and Andrew Trevorrow Memorial Fund Travel Bursaries

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

SOAS University of London vs University of Exeter: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,780 a year at SOAS University of London and £24,950 at University of Exeter: SOAS University of London is about £1,170 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,320 a year at SOAS University of London and £25,550 at University of Exeter, so the two cost about the same. 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 Exeter?

Both universities teach 23 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Media & Film Studies, Law, Business & Management (General), Ancient Languages, History, History of Art & Design, Economics, Finance & Actuarial Science, Anthropology, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Sociology & Criminology and 11 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £31,000 three years after graduating from SOAS University of London, and £30,500 from University of Exeter. Student satisfaction with teaching is 90% at SOAS University of London and 88% at University of Exeter. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Exeter lists 873 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 Exeter?

SOAS University of London teaches 6 subject areas that University of Exeter does not, including Asian Languages & Studies, Creative Arts (General), Music, International Development, Linguistics and Social Policy & Public Policy.

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

University of Exeter teaches 68 subject areas that SOAS University of London does not, including Mathematics, Physics, Classical Studies, English Studies, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, General Engineering, Computer Science, Biomedical Sciences and 60 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 Exeter873 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses