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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 the West of Scotland

Paisley · Guardian UK #115

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 9 datapoints

We looked at 9 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

5/9

SOAS University of London

scored higher in 5 categories

VS

4/9

West of Scotland

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

SOAS University of London leads in 5 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of the West of Scotland is ahead on established, satisfaction, employment, international.

SOAS University of London vs University of the West of Scotland at a glance

SOAS University of London and University of the West of Scotland both teach 11 subject areas, the largest being Media & Film Studies, Politics & International Relations and Creative Arts (General). SOAS University of London offers 296 courses across 29 subject areas; University of the West of Scotland offers 119 courses across 49 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,780 a year at SOAS University of London and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £8,280 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,320 a year at SOAS University of London and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £9,040 a year cheaper.

Of the 3 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, SOAS University of London is higher in 3 and University of the West of Scotland in 0. The widest gap is in Law: £28,000 three years after graduating from SOAS University of London, against £21,000 from University of the West of Scotland. Of the 4 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of the West of Scotland is higher in 3 and SOAS University of London in 1.

World & National Rankings

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

#458
QS World
—
#401
THE World
#601
#86
Guardian UK
#115
1916
Established
1897
No
Russell Group
No
Silver
TEF Rating
—

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 the West of Scotland

84.1%
89%

Satisfaction

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

£32,500
£31,134.9

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

74.4%
81.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

25.7%
30.3%

International

International student share

296
119

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

27
0

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

West of Scotland

33 countries · 30.3% international

  • 🇵🇰Pakistan36.2%
  • 🌐Nepal20.4%
  • 🇮🇳India19.3%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria7.4%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh5.3%

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 the West of Scotland

Only at SOAS University of London

Only at University of the West of Scotland

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 the West of Scotland
£15,500

University of the West of Scotland is about £8,280 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

SOAS University of London
£25,320
University of the West of Scotland
£16,280

University of the West of Scotland is about £9,040 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 the West of Scotland

  • Creative Arts (General)

    No dataSalary (3 years)£16,000
    87%Satisfaction91%

  • Law

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    77%SatisfactionNo data

  • Music

    No dataSalary (3 years)£18,500
    87%Satisfaction90%

  • Accounting

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    88%Satisfaction86%

  • Social Sciences (General)

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    89%Satisfaction95%

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 the West of Scotland

View all scholarships →

FAQ

SOAS University of London vs University of the West of Scotland: common questions

Is SOAS University of London or University of the West of Scotland cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,780 a year at SOAS University of London and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £8,280 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,320 a year at SOAS University of London and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £9,040 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 the West of Scotland?

Both universities teach 11 subject areas: Media & Film Studies, Politics & International Relations, Creative Arts (General), Law, Music, Business & Management (General), Sociology & Criminology, Accounting, Social Sciences (General), Electronic & Electrical Engineering and Cultural Studies.

Is SOAS University of London or University of the West of Scotland better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £28,000 three years after graduating from SOAS University of London, and £21,000 from University of the West of Scotland. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does SOAS University of London or University of the West of Scotland offer more courses?

SOAS University of London lists 296 courses on CourseOptions and University of the West of Scotland lists 119 courses.

What can you study at SOAS University of London but not at University of the West of Scotland?

SOAS University of London teaches 18 subject areas that University of the West of Scotland does not, including Asian Languages & Studies, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Ancient Languages, Anthropology, Economics, History of Art & Design, History, International Development and 10 more.

What can you study at University of the West of Scotland but not at SOAS University of London?

University of the West of Scotland teaches 38 subject areas that SOAS University of London does not, including Business Studies, Teacher Training, Applied Computing, Business Information Systems, Chemistry, Computing & IT, General Engineering, Applied Psychology and 30 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 the West of Scotland119 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses