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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
Southampton, Solent University

Southampton

U
University of Cambridge

Cambridge · QS World #6

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.

2/8

Southampton

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

6/8

Cambridge

scored higher in 6 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Cambridge leads in 6 of 8 categories where both have data (Russell Group, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses). Southampton, Solent University is ahead on employment, scholarship.

Southampton, Solent University vs University of Cambridge at a glance

Southampton, Solent University and University of Cambridge both teach 25 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Business Studies and Hospitality, Events & Tourism. Southampton, Solent University offers 294 courses across 42 subject areas; University of Cambridge offers 336 courses across 79 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,080 a year at Southampton, Solent University and £32,890 at University of Cambridge: Southampton, Solent University is about £13,810 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,350 a year at Southampton, Solent University and £41,300 at University of Cambridge: Southampton, Solent University is about £22,950 a year cheaper.

Of the 7 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Cambridge is higher in 7 and Southampton, Solent University in 0. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £25,000 three years after graduating from Southampton, Solent University, against £63,500 from University of Cambridge. Of the 7 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Cambridge is higher in 5 and Southampton, Solent University in 1, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
#6
—
THE World
#3
—
Guardian UK
#2
1855
Established
1209
No
Russell Group
Yes
Gold
TEF Rating
Gold

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.

Southampton, Solent University

University of Cambridge

88.2%
92.1%

Satisfaction

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

£28,100
£49,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.5%
76.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

14.9%
32.2%

International

International student share

294
336

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

11
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.

Southampton

56 countries · 14.9% international

  • 🇮🇳India39%
  • 🇳🇴Norway6.3%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria4.3%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia4.3%
  • 🌐Morocco2.4%
VS

Cambridge

96 countries · 32.2% international

  • 🇨🇳China28.2%
  • 🇺🇸United States10.3%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore6.6%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5.3%
  • 🇮🇳India4.7%

Subjects

25 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.

Southampton, Solent University

University of Cambridge

Also taught at both: Building & Construction, Finance & Actuarial Science, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Politics & International Relations, Psychology (General), Chemical Engineering, Technology & Logistics, Education Studies, Health & Social Care, Information Systems & Data Science.

Only at Southampton, Solent University

Only at University of Cambridge

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

Southampton, Solent University
£19,080
University of Cambridge
£32,890

Southampton, Solent University is about £13,810 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Southampton, Solent University
£18,350
University of Cambridge
£41,300

Southampton, Solent University is about £22,950 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.

Southampton, Solent University

University of Cambridge

  • Law

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£49,000
    96%Satisfaction96%

  • Computer Science

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£63,500
    84%Satisfaction94%

  • Music

    £18,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    93%Satisfaction97%

  • General Engineering

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£39,500
    86%Satisfaction87%

  • Architecture

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£38,000
    97%Satisfaction88%

  • Psychology (General)

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    89%Satisfaction92%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£43,000
    88%Satisfaction94%

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Southampton, Solent University

Solent Postgraduate Taught International Excellence Scholarship

£1,500

Deadline: N/A

Carers Bursary

£1,200

Deadline: Jun 2026

Gypsy, Roma, Traveller, Showman, Boater community bursary

£500

Deadline: Jun 2026

Undergraduate Apprenticeship Bursary

£200

Deadline: Jun 2026

Parents bursary

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

University of Cambridge

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Southampton, Solent University vs University of Cambridge: common questions

Is Southampton, Solent University or University of Cambridge cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,080 a year at Southampton, Solent University and £32,890 at University of Cambridge: Southampton, Solent University is about £13,810 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,350 a year at Southampton, Solent University and £41,300 at University of Cambridge: Southampton, Solent University is about £22,950 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 Southampton, Solent University and University of Cambridge?

Both universities teach 25 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Business Studies, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Law, Sociology & Criminology, Computer Science, Music, Media & Film Studies, General Engineering, Architecture, Biomedical Sciences, Childhood & Youth Studies and 13 more.

Is Southampton, Solent University or University of Cambridge better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £21,500 three years after graduating from Southampton, Solent University, and £49,000 from University of Cambridge. Student satisfaction with teaching is 96% at Southampton, Solent University and 96% at University of Cambridge. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Southampton, Solent University or University of Cambridge offer more courses?

University of Cambridge lists 336 courses on CourseOptions and Southampton, Solent University lists 294 courses.

What can you study at Southampton, Solent University but not at University of Cambridge?

Southampton, Solent University teaches 17 subject areas that University of Cambridge does not, including Design & Fashion, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Accounting, Film Production & Cinematography, Social Sciences (General), Games Design & Computer Animation, Mechanical Engineering, Journalism and 9 more.

What can you study at University of Cambridge but not at Southampton, Solent University?

University of Cambridge teaches 54 subject areas that Southampton, Solent University does not, including Biological Sciences (General), History, Asian Languages & Studies, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Economics, Archaeology, Clinical Specialities, Philosophy and 46 more.

Ready to explore courses?

Browse available courses, check entry requirements, and find scholarships at each university.

S
Southampton, Solent University294 courses · 11 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Cambridge336 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses