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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 Leeds

Leeds · QS World #77

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.

1/11

SOAS University of London

scored higher in 1 category

VS

10/11

Leeds

scored higher in 10 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Leeds leads in 10 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary, courses). SOAS University of London is ahead on scholarship.

SOAS University of London vs University of Leeds at a glance

SOAS University of London and University of Leeds both teach 25 subject areas, the largest being Media & Film Studies, Politics & International Relations and Asian Languages & Studies. SOAS University of London offers 296 courses across 29 subject areas; University of Leeds offers 579 courses across 110 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,780 a year at SOAS University of London and £33,700 at University of Leeds: SOAS University of London is about £9,920 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,320 a year at SOAS University of London and £31,500 at University of Leeds: SOAS University of London is about £6,180 a year cheaper.

Of the 13 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Leeds is higher in 7 and SOAS University of London in 6. The widest gap is in Management: £27,500 three years after graduating from SOAS University of London, against £33,000 from University of Leeds. Of the 15 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, SOAS University of London is higher in 7 and University of Leeds in 7, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#458
QS World
#77
#401
THE World
#118
#86
Guardian UK
#15
1916
Established
1904
No
Russell Group
Yes
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 Leeds

84.1%
85.7%

Satisfaction

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

£32,500
£37,200

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

74.4%
82.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

25.7%
31.5%

International

International student share

296
579

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

27
13

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

Leeds

105 countries · 31.5% international

  • 🇨🇳China49.5%
  • 🇮🇳India9.6%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.9%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.4%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.8%

Subjects

25 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 Leeds

Also taught at both: Management, Theology & Religious Studies, Linguistics, International Development, Social Policy & Public Policy, Biological Sciences (General), Finance & Actuarial Science, Cultural Studies, Social Sciences (General), Liberal Arts.

Only at SOAS University of London

Only at University of Leeds

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 Leeds
£33,700

SOAS University of London is about £9,920 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

SOAS University of London
£25,320
University of Leeds
£31,500

SOAS University of London is about £6,180 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 Leeds

  • Politics & International Relations

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    90%Satisfaction85%

  • Asian Languages & Studies

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£28,500
    86%Satisfaction75%

  • Ancient Languages

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    92%Satisfaction88%

  • Law

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    77%Satisfaction87%

  • African & Middle Eastern Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    77%Satisfaction86%

  • Economics

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£36,000
    83%Satisfaction88%

  • Music

    No dataSalary (3 years)£21,500
    87%Satisfaction87%

  • History

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    89%Satisfaction94%

  • Philosophy

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    89%Satisfaction85%

  • History of Art & Design

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    97%Satisfaction95%

  • Management

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    73%Satisfaction83%

  • Linguistics

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    98%Satisfaction89%

Showing the 12 largest of 15 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 Leeds

Gazan Humanitarian Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Gazan Humanitarian Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Global Community Bursary

£10,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

Sanctuary Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

SOAS University of London vs University of Leeds: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,780 a year at SOAS University of London and £33,700 at University of Leeds: SOAS University of London is about £9,920 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,320 a year at SOAS University of London and £31,500 at University of Leeds: SOAS University of London is about £6,180 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 Leeds?

Both universities teach 25 subject areas: Media & Film Studies, Politics & International Relations, Asian Languages & Studies, Civil Engineering, Ancient Languages, Law, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Economics, Music, History, Sociology & Criminology, Electronic & Electrical Engineering and 13 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £31,000 three years after graduating from SOAS University of London, and £28,500 from University of Leeds. Student satisfaction with teaching is 90% at SOAS University of London and 85% at University of Leeds. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Leeds lists 579 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 Leeds?

SOAS University of London teaches 4 subject areas that University of Leeds does not, including Anthropology, Creative Arts (General), Accounting and Archaeology.

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

University of Leeds teaches 85 subject areas that SOAS University of London does not, including Physics, Chemistry, Business Studies, Computer Science, Design & Fashion, Mathematics, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Education Studies and 77 more.

Ready to explore courses?

Browse available courses, check entry requirements, and find scholarships at each university.

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SOAS University of London296 courses · 27 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Leeds579 courses · 13 scholarshipsBrowse Courses