Skip to main content

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 Kent

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

VS

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.

#458
QS World
#415
#401
THE World
#401
#86
Guardian UK
#47
1916
Established
1965
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 Kent

84.1%
84%

Satisfaction

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

£32,500
£33,600

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

74.4%
80%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

25.7%
16%

International

International student share

296
335

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

27
0

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

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

Also taught at both: Archaeology.

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)£25,500
    90%Satisfaction87%
  • Ancient Languages

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    92%Satisfaction97%
  • Economics

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    83%Satisfaction85%
  • Law

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    77%Satisfaction86%
  • History

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    89%Satisfaction93%
  • Business & Management (General)

    £27,500Salary (3 years)No data
    82%Satisfaction77%
  • Accounting

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    88%Satisfaction82%
  • Management

    £27,500Salary (3 years)No data
    73%Satisfaction78%

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 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.