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
London · Guardian UK #108
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.
4/9
SOAS University of London
scored higher in 4 categories
5/9
West London
scored higher in 5 categories
Quick Verdict
University of West London leads in 5 of 9 categories where both have data (established, satisfaction, employment, international, courses). SOAS University of London is ahead on ranking, graduate salary, scholarship.
SOAS University of London vs University of West London at a glance
SOAS University of London and University of West London both teach 16 subject areas, the largest being Media & Film Studies, Music and Politics & International Relations. SOAS University of London offers 296 courses across 29 subject areas; University of West London offers 338 courses across 68 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,780 a year at SOAS University of London and £16,750 at University of West London: University of West London is about £7,030 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,320 a year at SOAS University of London and £17,250 at University of West London: University of West London is about £8,070 a year cheaper.
Of the 5 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, SOAS University of London is higher in 5 and University of West London in 0. The widest gap is in Economics: £35,000 three years after graduating from SOAS University of London, against £26,500 from University of West London. Of the 6 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, SOAS University of London is higher in 3 and University of West London in 3.
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 West London
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%
West London
64 countries · 27.1% international
- 🇮🇳India47.8%
- 🌐Nepal33.1%
- 🇨🇳China2%
- 🇺🇸United States1.8%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan1.6%
Subjects
16 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 West London
Media & Film Studies
41 coursesTypical fee £23,780 (UG)
10 coursesTypical fee £16,750 (UG)
Music
9 coursesTypical fee £23,780 (UG)
35 coursesTypical fee £16,750 (UG)
Politics & International Relations
34 coursesTypical fee £23,780 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £16,750 (UG)
Law
13 coursesTypical fee £23,780 (UG)
12 coursesTypical fee £16,750 (UG)
Creative Arts (General)
18 coursesTypical fee £23,780 (UG)
1 courseTypical fee £16,750 (UG)
Economics
10 coursesTypical fee £23,780 (UG)
4 coursesTypical fee £16,750 (UG)
Civil Engineering
Business & Management (General)
Sociology & Criminology
Biological Sciences (General)
Electronic & Electrical Engineering
Accounting
Finance & Actuarial Science
Management
Social Sciences (General)
Also taught at both: Social Policy & Public Policy.
Only at SOAS University of London
Only at University of West 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 West London
- £16,750
University of West London is about £7,030 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- SOAS University of London
- £25,320
- University of West London
- £17,250
University of West London is about £8,070 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 West London
Music
No dataSalary (3 years)£21,00087%Satisfaction89%Politics & International Relations
£31,000Salary (3 years)£26,50090%Satisfaction88%Law
£28,000Salary (3 years)£22,50077%Satisfaction85%Economics
£35,000Salary (3 years)£26,50083%Satisfaction78%Accounting
£27,500Salary (3 years)£22,50088%Satisfaction96%Social Sciences (General)
£26,500Salary (3 years)£24,50089%Satisfaction88%
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 West London
View all scholarships →FAQ
SOAS University of London vs University of West London: common questions
Is SOAS University of London or University of West London cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,780 a year at SOAS University of London and £16,750 at University of West London: University of West London is about £7,030 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,320 a year at SOAS University of London and £17,250 at University of West London: University of West London is about £8,070 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 West London?
Both universities teach 16 subject areas: Media & Film Studies, Music, Politics & International Relations, Law, Creative Arts (General), Economics, Civil Engineering, Business & Management (General), Sociology & Criminology, Biological Sciences (General), Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Accounting and 4 more.
Is SOAS University of London or University of West London better for Politics & International Relations?
Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £31,000 three years after graduating from SOAS University of London, and £26,500 from University of West London. Student satisfaction with teaching is 90% at SOAS University of London and 88% at University of West London. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does SOAS University of London or University of West London offer more courses?
University of West London lists 338 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 West London?
SOAS University of London teaches 13 subject areas that University of West London does not, including Asian Languages & Studies, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Ancient Languages, Anthropology, History of Art & Design, History, International Development, Theology & Religious Studies and 5 more.
What can you study at University of West London but not at SOAS University of London?
University of West London teaches 52 subject areas that SOAS University of London does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Design & Fashion, Business Studies, Information Systems & Data Science, Drama & Theatre, Computer Science, Adult Nursing, Building & Construction and 44 more.
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