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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 Leicester

Leicester · QS World #314

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.

2/11

SOAS University of London

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

9/11

Leicester

scored higher in 9 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Leicester leads in 9 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, TEF, satisfaction, employment, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). SOAS University of London is ahead on established, international.

SOAS University of London vs University of Leicester at a glance

SOAS University of London and University of Leicester both teach 19 subject areas, the largest being Media & Film Studies, Politics & International Relations and Law. SOAS University of London offers 296 courses across 29 subject areas; University of Leicester offers 351 courses across 72 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,780 a year at SOAS University of London and £25,100 at University of Leicester: SOAS University of London is about £1,320 a year cheaper.

Of the 8 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, SOAS University of London is higher in 5 and University of Leicester in 1, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Economics: £35,000 three years after graduating from SOAS University of London, against £29,500 from University of Leicester. Of the 8 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Leicester is higher in 5 and SOAS University of London in 2, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#458
QS World
#314
#401
THE World
#192
#86
Guardian UK
#30
1916
Established
1921
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 Leicester

84.1%
86.2%

Satisfaction

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

£32,500
£35,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

74.4%
79%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

25.7%
19.3%

International

International student share

296
351

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

27
28

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

Leicester

81 countries · 19.3% international

  • 🇮🇳India36.3%
  • 🇨🇦Canada14.8%
  • 🇨🇳China9.4%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria5.9%
  • 🇦🇪United Arab Emirates1.9%

Subjects

19 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 Leicester

Also taught at both: Linguistics, Civil Engineering, Cultural Studies, Social Sciences (General).

Only at SOAS University of London

Only at University of Leicester

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 Leicester
£25,100

SOAS University of London is about £1,320 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

SOAS University of London
£25,320
University of Leicester
No data

We do not have reliable international fee data for University of Leicester yet.

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 Leicester

  • Politics & International Relations

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    90%Satisfaction92%

  • Law

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    77%Satisfaction85%

  • Ancient Languages

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    92%Satisfaction97%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    82%Satisfaction82%

  • History

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    89%Satisfaction94%

  • Economics

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    83%Satisfaction81%

  • Management

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    73%Satisfaction76%

  • Accounting

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    88%Satisfaction85%

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 Leicester

International Undergraduate Tuition Fee Waiver

100%

Deadline: N/A

ULSB International Deans Scholarship

£8,000

Deadline: N/A

Leicester-King Power Thai Scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

International Postgraduate Taught Merit Scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

International Undergraduate Merit Scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

SOAS University of London vs University of Leicester: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,780 a year at SOAS University of London and £25,100 at University of Leicester: SOAS University of London is about £1,320 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 Leicester?

Both universities teach 19 subject areas: Media & Film Studies, Politics & International Relations, Law, Ancient Languages, Business & Management (General), Biological Sciences (General), History, Economics, Sociology & Criminology, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, History of Art & Design, Finance & Actuarial Science and 7 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £31,000 three years after graduating from SOAS University of London, and £26,500 from University of Leicester. Student satisfaction with teaching is 90% at SOAS University of London and 92% at University of Leicester. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Leicester lists 351 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 Leicester?

SOAS University of London teaches 10 subject areas that University of Leicester does not, including Asian Languages & Studies, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Anthropology, Creative Arts (General), Music, International Development, Theology & Religious Studies, Philosophy and 2 more.

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

University of Leicester teaches 53 subject areas that SOAS University of London does not, including Computer Science, Childhood & Youth Studies, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, General Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Geology & Earth Sciences and 45 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 Leicester351 courses · 28 scholarshipsBrowse Courses