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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 Southampton

Southampton · QS World #111

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.

0/11

SOAS University of London

scored higher in 0 categories

VS

11/11

Southampton

scored higher in 11 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Southampton leads in 11 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). SOAS University of London does not lead in any category where both have data.

SOAS University of London vs University of Southampton at a glance

SOAS University of London and University of Southampton both teach 24 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 Southampton offers 545 courses across 91 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,780 a year at SOAS University of London and £26,000 at University of Southampton: SOAS University of London is about £2,220 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,320 a year at SOAS University of London and £31,200 at University of Southampton: SOAS University of London is about £5,880 a year cheaper.

Of the 10 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Southampton is higher in 5 and SOAS University of London in 3, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Business & Management (General): £27,500 three years after graduating from SOAS University of London, against £31,500 from University of Southampton. Of the 13 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Southampton is higher in 9 and SOAS University of London in 3, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#458
QS World
#111
#401
THE World
#129
#86
Guardian UK
#16
1916
Established
1862
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 Southampton

84.1%
87%

Satisfaction

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

£32,500
£37,200

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

74.4%
82.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

25.7%
35.1%

International

International student share

296
545

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

27
52

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

Southampton

103 countries · 35.1% international

  • 🇨🇳China63.5%
  • 🇮🇳India4.8%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia2.8%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia2.6%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.5%

Subjects

24 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 Southampton

Also taught at both: Accounting, Philosophy, Management, Social Policy & Public Policy, International Development, Cultural Studies, Social Sciences (General), Biological Sciences (General), Liberal Arts.

Only at SOAS University of London

Only at University of Southampton

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 Southampton
£26,000

SOAS University of London is about £2,220 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

SOAS University of London
£25,320
University of Southampton
£31,200

SOAS University of London is about £5,880 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 Southampton

  • Politics & International Relations

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    90%Satisfaction85%

  • Ancient Languages

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    92%Satisfaction94%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£31,500
    82%Satisfaction80%

  • Anthropology

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    94%Satisfaction94%

  • Law

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    77%Satisfaction87%

  • History

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    89%Satisfaction91%

  • Creative Arts (General)

    No dataSalary (3 years)£21,500
    87%Satisfaction90%

  • Economics

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£34,000
    83%Satisfaction85%

  • Music

    No dataSalary (3 years)£21,000
    87%Satisfaction90%

  • Accounting

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
    88%Satisfaction91%

  • Philosophy

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

  • Management

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£31,500
    73%Satisfaction90%

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 Southampton

Horizon Europe fee waiver

100%

Deadline: N/A

Cowrie Foundation Scholarship

£8,000

Deadline: N/A

Xiamen University PhD Scholarships

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sociology Criminology International Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Southampton Ageing & Gerontology Talent Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

SOAS University of London vs University of Southampton: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,780 a year at SOAS University of London and £26,000 at University of Southampton: SOAS University of London is about £2,220 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,320 a year at SOAS University of London and £31,200 at University of Southampton: SOAS University of London is about £5,880 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 Southampton?

Both universities teach 24 subject areas: Media & Film Studies, Politics & International Relations, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Ancient Languages, Business & Management (General), Anthropology, Finance & Actuarial Science, Law, History, Creative Arts (General), Economics, Civil Engineering and 12 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £31,000 three years after graduating from SOAS University of London, and £29,000 from University of Southampton. Student satisfaction with teaching is 90% at SOAS University of London and 85% at University of Southampton. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Southampton lists 545 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 Southampton?

SOAS University of London teaches 5 subject areas that University of Southampton does not, including Asian Languages & Studies, African & Middle Eastern Studies, History of Art & Design, Theology & Religious Studies and Linguistics.

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

University of Southampton teaches 67 subject areas that SOAS University of London does not, including General Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Geology & Earth Sciences, Physics, Chemical Engineering, Computer Science, Design & Fashion and 59 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 Southampton545 courses · 52 scholarshipsBrowse Courses