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.
London · QS World #458
Canterbury · QS World #415
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.
4/9
SOAS University of London
scored higher in 4 categories
5/9
Kent
scored higher in 5 categories
Quick Verdict
University of Kent leads in 5 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, employment, graduate salary, courses). SOAS University of London is ahead on established, satisfaction, international, scholarship.
SOAS University of London vs University of Kent at a glance
SOAS University of London and University of Kent both teach 16 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Media & Film Studies and Ancient Languages. SOAS University of London offers 296 courses across 29 subject areas; University of Kent offers 335 courses across 63 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,780 a year at SOAS University of London and £23,500 at University of Kent: University of Kent is about £280 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,320 a year at SOAS University of London and £20,700 at University of Kent: University of Kent is about £4,620 a year cheaper.
Of the 6 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, SOAS University of London is higher in 5 and University of Kent in 1. The widest gap is in Politics & International Relations: £31,000 three years after graduating from SOAS University of London, against £25,500 from University of Kent. Of the 8 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Kent is higher in 5 and SOAS University of London in 3.
World & National Rankings
Compare world and national league table positions, TEF ratings, and Russell Group membership.
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 Kent
Satisfaction
Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)
Graduate Salaries (5y)
Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation
Employment
Graduate employment rate
International
International student share
Course Counts
Number of courses offered
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%
Kent
85 countries · 16% international
- 🇮🇳India9.9%
- 🇨🇳China6.8%
- 🇹🇭Thailand6.6%
- 🇫🇷France5.7%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria5.3%
Subjects
16 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 Kent
Politics & International Relations
34 coursesTypical fee £23,780 (UG)
20 coursesTypical fee £19,300 (UG)
Media & Film Studies
41 coursesTypical fee £23,780 (UG)
3 coursesFee not available
Ancient Languages
23 coursesTypical fee £23,780 (UG)
3 coursesTypical fee £19,300 (UG)
Economics
10 coursesTypical fee £23,780 (UG)
16 coursesTypical fee £19,300 (UG)
Law
13 coursesTypical fee £23,780 (UG)
11 coursesTypical fee £20,700 (PG)
Finance & Actuarial Science
2 coursesFee not available
17 coursesTypical fee £24,700 (PG)
Sociology & Criminology
4 coursesTypical fee £25,320 (PG)
12 coursesTypical fee £19,300 (PG)
History
Business & Management (General)
Electronic & Electrical Engineering
Accounting
Management
Social Sciences (General)
Linguistics
Social Policy & Public Policy
Also taught at both: Archaeology.
Only at SOAS University of London
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 Kent
- £23,500
University of Kent is about £280 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- SOAS University of London
- £25,320
- University of Kent
- £20,700
University of Kent is about £4,620 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 Kent
Politics & International Relations
£31,000Salary (3 years)£25,50090%Satisfaction87%Ancient Languages
£24,000Salary (3 years)£23,50092%Satisfaction97%Economics
£35,000Salary (3 years)£32,50083%Satisfaction85%Law
£28,000Salary (3 years)£26,00077%Satisfaction86%History
£26,500Salary (3 years)£25,00089%Satisfaction93%Business & Management (General)
£27,500Salary (3 years)No data82%Satisfaction77%Accounting
£27,500Salary (3 years)£32,50088%Satisfaction82%Management
£27,500Salary (3 years)No data73%Satisfaction78%
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveSOAS 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
University of Kent
View all scholarships →FAQ
SOAS University of London vs University of Kent: common questions
Is SOAS University of London or University of Kent cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,780 a year at SOAS University of London and £23,500 at University of Kent: University of Kent is about £280 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,320 a year at SOAS University of London and £20,700 at University of Kent: University of Kent is about £4,620 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 Kent?
Both universities teach 16 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Media & Film Studies, Ancient Languages, Economics, Law, Finance & Actuarial Science, Sociology & Criminology, History, Business & Management (General), Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Accounting, Management and 4 more.
Is SOAS University of London or University of Kent better for Politics & International Relations?
Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £31,000 three years after graduating from SOAS University of London, and £25,500 from University of Kent. Student satisfaction with teaching is 90% at SOAS University of London and 87% at University of Kent. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does SOAS University of London or University of Kent offer more courses?
University of Kent lists 335 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 Kent?
SOAS University of London teaches 13 subject areas that University of Kent does not, including Asian Languages & Studies, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Anthropology, Creative Arts (General), History of Art & Design, Music, International Development, Theology & Religious Studies and 5 more.
What can you study at University of Kent but not at SOAS University of London?
University of Kent teaches 47 subject areas that SOAS University of London does not, including Computer Science, Physics, Biology, Applied Psychology, Mathematics, Psychology (General), Sport & Exercise Sciences, Architecture and 39 more.
Ready to explore courses?
Browse available courses, check entry requirements, and find scholarships at each university.