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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 Nottingham

Nottingham · QS World #97

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

Nottingham

scored higher in 9 categories

Quick Verdict

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

SOAS University of London vs University of Nottingham at a glance

SOAS University of London and University of Nottingham both teach 25 subject areas, the largest being Media & Film Studies, Politics & International Relations and Electronic & Electrical Engineering. SOAS University of London offers 296 courses across 29 subject areas; University of Nottingham offers 580 courses across 98 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,780 a year at SOAS University of London and £33,000 at University of Nottingham: SOAS University of London is about £9,220 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,320 a year at SOAS University of London and £30,800 at University of Nottingham: SOAS University of London is about £5,480 a year cheaper.

Of the 8 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Nottingham is higher in 6 and SOAS University of London in 1, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Law: £28,000 three years after graduating from SOAS University of London, against £34,000 from University of Nottingham. Of the 8 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Nottingham is higher in 4 and SOAS University of London in 2, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#458
QS World
#97
#401
THE World
#145
#86
Guardian UK
#21
1916
Established
1881
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 Nottingham

84.1%
86.6%

Satisfaction

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

£32,500
£40,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

74.4%
79.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

25.7%
21.1%

International

International student share

296
580

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

27
5

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

Nottingham

98 countries · 21.1% international

  • 🇨🇳China42.6%
  • 🇮🇳India9%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia4.4%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4%
  • 🇹🇷Turkey2.7%

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 Nottingham

Also taught at both: Social Sciences (General), Sociology & Criminology, Management, Theology & Religious Studies, Archaeology, International Development, Cultural Studies, Accounting, Liberal Arts, Social Policy & Public Policy.

Only at SOAS University of London

Only at University of Nottingham

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 Nottingham
£33,000

SOAS University of London is about £9,220 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

SOAS University of London
£25,320
University of Nottingham
£30,800

SOAS University of London is about £5,480 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 Nottingham

  • Politics & International Relations

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    90%Satisfaction88%

  • Economics

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£38,500
    83%Satisfaction83%

  • Law

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£34,000
    77%Satisfaction89%

  • Philosophy

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    89%Satisfaction93%

  • History

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    89%Satisfaction89%

  • History of Art & Design

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    97%Satisfaction94%

  • Management

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    73%Satisfaction78%

  • Accounting

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    88%SatisfactionNo data

  • Liberal Arts

    No dataSalary (3 years)No data
    85%Satisfaction89%

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 Nottingham

Taiwan Research Hub PhD Scholarship 2026/27

£11,000

Deadline: N/A

Molson Coors Award

50%

Deadline: N/A

The Witty Entrepreneurial Scholarship

£750

Deadline: N/A

Hillsborough Trust Memorial Bursary

£500

Deadline: N/A

PhD Scholarships

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

SOAS University of London vs University of Nottingham: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,780 a year at SOAS University of London and £33,000 at University of Nottingham: SOAS University of London is about £9,220 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,320 a year at SOAS University of London and £30,800 at University of Nottingham: SOAS University of London is about £5,480 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 Nottingham?

Both universities teach 25 subject areas: Media & Film Studies, Politics & International Relations, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Ancient Languages, Economics, Law, Philosophy, History, Business & Management (General), Civil Engineering, History of Art & Design and 13 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £31,000 three years after graduating from SOAS University of London, and £29,500 from University of Nottingham. Student satisfaction with teaching is 90% at SOAS University of London and 88% at University of Nottingham. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Nottingham lists 580 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 Nottingham?

SOAS University of London teaches 4 subject areas that University of Nottingham does not, including Asian Languages & Studies, Anthropology, Creative Arts (General) and Biological Sciences (General).

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

University of Nottingham teaches 73 subject areas that SOAS University of London does not, including Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Computer Science, Chemical Engineering, Physics, Childhood & Youth Studies, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Psychology (General), Architecture and 65 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 Nottingham580 courses · 5 scholarshipsBrowse Courses