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.
London · QS World #458
Sunderland · Guardian UK #86
Head-to-Head Summary
Based on 8 datapoints
We looked at 8 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.
4/8
SOAS University of London
scored higher in 4 categories
4/8
Sunderland
scored higher in 4 categories
Quick Verdict
SOAS University of London and University of Sunderland are evenly matched: each leads in 4 of 8 categories where both have data. SOAS University of London is ahead on ranking, graduate salary, courses, scholarship; University of Sunderland on established, satisfaction, employment, international.
SOAS University of London vs University of Sunderland at a glance
SOAS University of London and University of Sunderland both teach 11 subject areas, the largest being Media & Film Studies, Law and Business & Management (General). SOAS University of London offers 296 courses across 29 subject areas; University of Sunderland offers 193 courses across 56 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,780 a year at SOAS University of London and £17,500 at University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland is about £6,280 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,320 a year at SOAS University of London and £17,000 at University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland is about £8,320 a year cheaper.
Of the 4 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, SOAS University of London is higher in 4 and University of Sunderland in 0. The widest gap is in Economics: £35,000 three years after graduating from SOAS University of London, against £18,500 from University of Sunderland. Of the 5 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Sunderland is higher in 5 and SOAS University of London in 0.
World & National Rankings
Compare world and national league table positions, TEF ratings, and Russell Group membership.
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 Sunderland
Satisfaction
Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)
Graduate Salaries (5y)
Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation
Employment
Graduate employment rate
International
International student share
Course Counts
Number of courses offered
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%
Sunderland
56 countries · 36.5% international
- 🌐Nepal29.5%
- 🇮🇳India17.7%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria16.6%
- 🇨🇳China7.3%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan6.9%
Subjects
11 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 Sunderland
Media & Film Studies
41 coursesTypical fee £23,780 (UG)
7 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
Law
13 coursesTypical fee £23,780 (UG)
12 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
Business & Management (General)
Economics
10 coursesTypical fee £23,780 (UG)
1 courseFee not available
Music
Electronic & Electrical Engineering
Finance & Actuarial Science
Sociology & Criminology
Accounting
Management
Social Sciences (General)
Only at SOAS University of London
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 Sunderland
- £17,500
University of Sunderland is about £6,280 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- SOAS University of London
- £25,320
- University of Sunderland
- £17,000
University of Sunderland is about £8,320 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 Sunderland
Law
£28,000Salary (3 years)£19,00077%Satisfaction95%Business & Management (General)
£27,500Salary (3 years)£20,00082%Satisfaction92%Economics
£35,000Salary (3 years)£18,50083%Satisfaction89%Music
No dataSalary (3 years)£17,00087%Satisfaction100%Accounting
£27,500Salary (3 years)£20,00088%Satisfaction92%
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveSOAS 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
University of Sunderland
View all scholarships →FAQ
SOAS University of London vs University of Sunderland: common questions
Is SOAS University of London or University of Sunderland cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,780 a year at SOAS University of London and £17,500 at University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland is about £6,280 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,320 a year at SOAS University of London and £17,000 at University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland is about £8,320 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 Sunderland?
Both universities teach 11 subject areas: Media & Film Studies, Law, Business & Management (General), Economics, Music, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Sociology & Criminology, Accounting, Management and Social Sciences (General).
Is SOAS University of London or University of Sunderland better for Law?
Law graduates earn a median £28,000 three years after graduating from SOAS University of London, and £19,000 from University of Sunderland. Student satisfaction with teaching is 77% at SOAS University of London and 95% at University of Sunderland. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does SOAS University of London or University of Sunderland offer more courses?
SOAS University of London lists 296 courses on CourseOptions and University of Sunderland lists 193 courses.
What can you study at SOAS University of London but not at University of Sunderland?
SOAS University of London teaches 18 subject areas that University of Sunderland does not, including Asian Languages & Studies, Politics & International Relations, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Ancient Languages, Anthropology, Creative Arts (General), History of Art & Design, History and 10 more.
What can you study at University of Sunderland but not at SOAS University of London?
University of Sunderland teaches 45 subject areas that SOAS University of London does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Business Studies, Computer Science, Design & Fashion, Film Production & Cinematography, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Journalism, Marketing and 37 more.
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