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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 Plymouth

Plymouth · QS World #691

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.

5/11

SOAS University of London

scored higher in 5 categories

VS

6/11

Plymouth

scored higher in 6 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Plymouth leads in 6 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, TEF, established, satisfaction, employment, courses). SOAS University of London is ahead on ranking, international, graduate salary, scholarship.

SOAS University of London vs University of Plymouth at a glance

SOAS University of London and University of Plymouth both teach 17 subject areas, the largest being Media & Film Studies, Politics & International Relations and Anthropology. SOAS University of London offers 296 courses across 29 subject areas; University of Plymouth offers 310 courses across 78 subject areas.

For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,320 a year at SOAS University of London and £19,500 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £5,820 a year cheaper.

Of the 8 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, SOAS University of London is higher in 8 and University of Plymouth in 0. The widest gap is in Economics: £35,000 three years after graduating from SOAS University of London, against £24,500 from University of Plymouth. Of the 8 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Plymouth is higher in 6 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
#691
#401
THE World
#501
#86
Guardian UK
#56
1916
Established
1862
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 Plymouth

84.1%
86.6%

Satisfaction

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

£32,500
£30,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

74.4%
84.2%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

25.7%
11.9%

International

International student share

296
310

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

27
10

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

Plymouth

71 countries · 11.9% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria14.6%
  • 🇨🇳China12.2%
  • 🇮🇳India11%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.7%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka3.3%

Subjects

17 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 Plymouth

Also taught at both: Biological Sciences (General), Social Sciences (General).

Only at SOAS University of London

Only at University of Plymouth

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 Plymouth
No data

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

Postgraduate

SOAS University of London
£25,320
University of Plymouth
£19,500

University of Plymouth is about £5,820 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 Plymouth

  • Politics & International Relations

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    90%Satisfaction86%

  • Anthropology

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    94%Satisfaction100%

  • Law

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£21,500
    77%Satisfaction84%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    82%Satisfaction83%

  • Creative Arts (General)

    No dataSalary (3 years)£19,500
    87%Satisfaction87%

  • Economics

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    83%Satisfaction91%

  • History

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£20,500
    89%Satisfaction94%

  • Management

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    73%SatisfactionNo data

  • Accounting

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    88%Satisfaction90%

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 Plymouth

GREAT Scholarships

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

International Undergraduate Welcome to Plymouth Scholarship

£6,000

Deadline: N/A

Tamar Engineering Project

£4,500

Deadline: Jun 2026

International Postgraduate Welcome to Plymouth Scholarship

£4,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

SOAS University of London vs University of Plymouth: common questions

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

For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,320 a year at SOAS University of London and £19,500 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £5,820 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 Plymouth?

Both universities teach 17 subject areas: Media & Film Studies, Politics & International Relations, Anthropology, Law, Business & Management (General), Creative Arts (General), Economics, History, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Sociology & Criminology, Civil Engineering, Music and 5 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £31,000 three years after graduating from SOAS University of London, and £24,000 from University of Plymouth. Student satisfaction with teaching is 90% at SOAS University of London and 86% at University of Plymouth. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Plymouth lists 310 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 Plymouth?

SOAS University of London teaches 12 subject areas that University of Plymouth does not, including Asian Languages & Studies, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Ancient Languages, History of Art & Design, International Development, Theology & Religious Studies, Linguistics, Cultural Studies and 4 more.

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

University of Plymouth teaches 61 subject areas that SOAS University of London does not, including Geology & Earth Sciences, Psychology (General), Design & Fashion, Biomedical Sciences, Ecology & Conservation, Adult Nursing, Computer Science, Nutrition & Dietetics and 53 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 Plymouth310 courses · 10 scholarshipsBrowse Courses