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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 Oxford

Oxford · QS World #4

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.

1/12

SOAS University of London

scored higher in 1 category

VS

11/12

Oxford

scored higher in 11 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Oxford leads in 11 of 12 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, TEF, established, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary, courses). SOAS University of London is ahead on scholarship.

SOAS University of London vs University of Oxford at a glance

SOAS University of London and University of Oxford both teach 25 subject areas, the largest being Asian Languages & Studies, Politics & International Relations and History. SOAS University of London offers 296 courses across 29 subject areas; University of Oxford offers 642 courses across 79 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,780 a year at SOAS University of London and £43,600 at University of Oxford: SOAS University of London is about £19,820 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,320 a year at SOAS University of London and £38,430 at University of Oxford: SOAS University of London is about £13,110 a year cheaper.

Of the 11 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Oxford is higher in 11 and SOAS University of London in 0. The widest gap is in Law: £28,000 three years after graduating from SOAS University of London, against £52,500 from University of Oxford. Of the 12 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, SOAS University of London is higher in 6 and University of Oxford in 6.

World & National Rankings

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

#458
QS World
#4
#401
THE World
#1
#86
Guardian UK
#1
1916
Established
1096
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 Oxford

84.1%
92.5%

Satisfaction

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

£32,500
£50,000

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

74.4%
76.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

25.7%
37.2%

International

International student share

296
642

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

27
1

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

Oxford

118 countries · 37.2% international

  • 🇨🇳China18.2%
  • 🇺🇸United States16.8%
  • 🇩🇪Germany5.6%
  • 🇮🇳India5.2%
  • 🇨🇦Canada4.6%

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 Oxford

Also taught at both: History of Art & Design, Sociology & Criminology, Finance & Actuarial Science, Philosophy, Archaeology, International Development, Social Sciences (General), Social Policy & Public Policy, Civil Engineering, Management.

Only at SOAS University of London

Only at University of Oxford

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 Oxford
£43,600

SOAS University of London is about £19,820 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

SOAS University of London
£25,320
University of Oxford
£38,430

SOAS University of London is about £13,110 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 Oxford

  • Asian Languages & Studies

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    86%Satisfaction90%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£38,500
    90%Satisfaction89%

  • History

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    89%Satisfaction96%

  • Ancient Languages

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    92%Satisfaction85%

  • African & Middle Eastern Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    77%Satisfaction85%

  • Anthropology

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    94%Satisfaction88%

  • Law

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£52,500
    77%SatisfactionNo data

  • Creative Arts (General)

    No dataSalary (3 years)£28,000
    87%Satisfaction85%

  • Economics

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£46,000
    83%Satisfaction93%

  • Linguistics

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    98%Satisfaction89%

  • Music

    No dataSalary (3 years)£31,500
    87%Satisfaction91%

  • History of Art & Design

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    97%Satisfaction95%

Showing the 12 largest of 13 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 Oxford

The Rhodes Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

SOAS University of London vs University of Oxford: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,780 a year at SOAS University of London and £43,600 at University of Oxford: SOAS University of London is about £19,820 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,320 a year at SOAS University of London and £38,430 at University of Oxford: SOAS University of London is about £13,110 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 Oxford?

Both universities teach 25 subject areas: Asian Languages & Studies, Politics & International Relations, History, Media & Film Studies, Ancient Languages, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Anthropology, Law, Creative Arts (General), Economics, Linguistics, Theology & Religious Studies and 13 more.

Is SOAS University of London or University of Oxford better for Asian Languages & Studies?

Asian Languages & Studies graduates earn a median £24,500 three years after graduating from SOAS University of London, and £32,000 from University of Oxford. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at SOAS University of London and 90% at University of Oxford. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Oxford lists 642 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 Oxford?

SOAS University of London teaches 4 subject areas that University of Oxford does not, including Accounting, Cultural Studies, Biological Sciences (General) and Liberal Arts.

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

University of Oxford teaches 54 subject areas that SOAS University of London does not, including Classical Studies, Childhood & Youth Studies, Spanish & Portuguese, Eastern European Languages, English Studies, German & Scandinavian Studies, French, Italian and 46 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 Oxford642 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses