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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 Liverpool

Liverpool · QS World #139

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.

2/12

SOAS University of London

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

10/12

Liverpool

scored higher in 10 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Liverpool leads in 10 of 12 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, TEF, established, satisfaction, employment, graduate salary, courses). SOAS University of London is ahead on international, scholarship.

SOAS University of London vs University of Liverpool at a glance

SOAS University of London and University of Liverpool both teach 20 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 Liverpool offers 793 courses across 94 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,780 a year at SOAS University of London and £32,000 at University of Liverpool: SOAS University of London is about £8,220 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,320 a year at SOAS University of London and £30,000 at University of Liverpool: SOAS University of London is about £4,680 a year cheaper.

Of the 9 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, SOAS University of London is higher in 8 and University of Liverpool in 1. The widest gap is in Politics & International Relations: £31,000 three years after graduating from SOAS University of London, against £23,500 from University of Liverpool. Of the 10 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Liverpool is higher in 8 and SOAS University of London in 1, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#458
QS World
#139
#401
THE World
#143
#86
Guardian UK
#28
1916
Established
1881
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 Liverpool

84.1%
87.7%

Satisfaction

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

£32,500
£34,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

74.4%
79.9%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

25.7%
24.1%

International

International student share

296
793

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

Liverpool

93 countries · 24.1% international

  • 🇨🇳China40.6%
  • 🇮🇳India17.1%
  • 🌐Kuwait4.3%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia4%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.1%

Subjects

20 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 Liverpool

Also taught at both: Finance & Actuarial Science, Accounting, Social Policy & Public Policy, Management, Biological Sciences (General).

Only at SOAS University of London

Only at University of Liverpool

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 Liverpool
£32,000

SOAS University of London is about £8,220 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

SOAS University of London
£25,320
University of Liverpool
£30,000

SOAS University of London is about £4,680 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 Liverpool

  • Politics & International Relations

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    90%Satisfaction87%

  • Asian Languages & Studies

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    86%Satisfaction91%

  • Music

    No dataSalary (3 years)£19,000
    87%Satisfaction91%

  • Law

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    77%Satisfaction86%

  • History

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    89%Satisfaction93%

  • Ancient Languages

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    92%Satisfaction95%

  • Economics

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    83%Satisfaction86%

  • African & Middle Eastern Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    77%Satisfaction91%

  • Philosophy

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    89%Satisfaction89%

  • Accounting

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    88%Satisfaction93%

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 Liverpool

Liverpool Advancement Scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

Postgraduate Opportunity Bursary

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

SOAS University of London vs University of Liverpool: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,780 a year at SOAS University of London and £32,000 at University of Liverpool: SOAS University of London is about £8,220 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,320 a year at SOAS University of London and £30,000 at University of Liverpool: SOAS University of London is about £4,680 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 Liverpool?

Both universities teach 20 subject areas: Media & Film Studies, Politics & International Relations, Asian Languages & Studies, Music, Law, Sociology & Criminology, History, Archaeology, Ancient Languages, Economics, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Business & Management (General) and 8 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £31,000 three years after graduating from SOAS University of London, and £23,500 from University of Liverpool. Student satisfaction with teaching is 90% at SOAS University of London and 87% at University of Liverpool. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Liverpool lists 793 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 Liverpool?

SOAS University of London teaches 9 subject areas that University of Liverpool does not, including Anthropology, Creative Arts (General), History of Art & Design, International Development, Theology & Religious Studies, Linguistics, Cultural Studies, Social Sciences (General) and 1 more.

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

University of Liverpool teaches 74 subject areas that SOAS University of London does not, including Mathematics, English Studies, Business Studies, Classical Studies, French, Italian, German & Scandinavian Studies, Computer Science and 66 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 Liverpool793 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses