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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 Chester

Chester · Guardian UK #91

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

Southampton

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

4/8

Chester

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

Southampton, Solent University and University of Chester are evenly matched: each leads in 4 of 8 categories where both have data. Southampton, Solent University is ahead on TEF, satisfaction, graduate salary, scholarship; University of Chester on established, employment, international, courses.

Southampton, Solent University vs University of Chester at a glance

Southampton, Solent University and University of Chester both teach 36 subject areas, the largest being Design & Fashion, Hospitality, Events & Tourism and Business & Management (General). Southampton, Solent University offers 294 courses across 42 subject areas; University of Chester offers 329 courses across 73 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,080 a year at Southampton, Solent University and £14,950 at University of Chester: University of Chester is about £4,130 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,350 a year at Southampton, Solent University and £15,500 at University of Chester: University of Chester is about £2,850 a year cheaper.

Of the 23 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Southampton, Solent University is higher in 16 and University of Chester in 6, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Adult Nursing: £21,000 three years after graduating from Southampton, Solent University, against £27,500 from University of Chester. Of the 21 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Southampton, Solent University is higher in 19 and University of Chester in 2.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
—
—
THE World
#1501
—
Guardian UK
#91
1855
Established
1839
No
Russell Group
No
Gold
TEF Rating
Silver

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 Chester

88.2%
83.9%

Satisfaction

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

£28,100
£27,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.5%
84.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

14.9%
28.7%

International

International student share

294
329

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

11
3

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

Chester

52 countries · 28.7% international

  • 🇮🇳India32.1%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan26.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria11.7%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka7.1%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh2.8%

Subjects

36 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 Chester

Also taught at both: Games Design & Computer Animation, Social Sciences (General), Finance & Actuarial Science, Journalism, Politics & International Relations, Building & Construction, Marketing, Adult Nursing, Biomedical Sciences, Chemical Engineering, Social Work, Applied Psychology, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Technology & Logistics, Drama & Theatre, Fine Art, Information Systems & Data Science, Mathematics, Education Studies, General Engineering, Health & Social Care.

Only at Southampton, Solent University

Only at University of Chester

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 Chester
£14,950

University of Chester is about £4,130 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Southampton, Solent University
£18,350
University of Chester
£15,500

University of Chester is about £2,850 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 Chester

  • Design & Fashion

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£19,000
    89%Satisfaction82%

  • Hospitality, Events & Tourism

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£19,500
    77%Satisfaction83%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£21,500
    87%Satisfaction79%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£20,500
    88%Satisfaction86%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £22,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    95%Satisfaction90%

  • Business Studies

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£21,500
    93%Satisfaction88%

  • Law

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£20,000
    96%Satisfaction89%

  • Accounting

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    No dataSatisfaction88%

  • Computer Science

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    84%Satisfaction83%

  • Psychology (General)

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    89%Satisfaction82%

  • Music

    £18,500Salary (3 years)£17,500
    93%Satisfaction73%

  • Software Engineering

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    84%Satisfaction66%

Showing the 12 largest of 24 shared subjects with published outcomes.

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 Chester

NHS Learning Support Fund

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

Visit Us Travel Bursary

£100

Deadline: N/A

Futures Employability Fund

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Southampton, Solent University vs University of Chester: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,080 a year at Southampton, Solent University and £14,950 at University of Chester: University of Chester is about £4,130 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,350 a year at Southampton, Solent University and £15,500 at University of Chester: University of Chester is about £2,850 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 Chester?

Both universities teach 36 subject areas: Design & Fashion, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Business & Management (General), Childhood & Youth Studies, Sociology & Criminology, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Business Studies, Law, Accounting, Computer Science, Psychology (General), Music and 24 more.

Is Southampton, Solent University or University of Chester better for Design & Fashion?

Design & Fashion graduates earn a median £20,500 three years after graduating from Southampton, Solent University, and £19,000 from University of Chester. Student satisfaction with teaching is 89% at Southampton, Solent University and 82% at University of Chester. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Chester lists 329 courses on CourseOptions and Southampton, Solent University lists 294 courses.

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

Southampton, Solent University teaches 6 subject areas that University of Chester does not, including Management, Mechanical Engineering, Architecture, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Crafts & Applied Arts and Marine Engineering & Technology.

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

University of Chester teaches 37 subject areas that Southampton, Solent University does not, including Archaeology, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Geography (General), Nutrition & Dietetics, Animal Science, History, Mental Health Nursing, Agriculture & Land Management and 29 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 Chester329 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses