Skip to main content

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 Cumbria

Lancaster · Guardian UK #101

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.

7/8

Southampton

scored higher in 7 categories

VS

1/8

Cumbria

scored higher in 1 category

Quick Verdict

Southampton, Solent University leads in 7 of 8 categories where both have data (TEF, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Cumbria is ahead on employment.

Southampton, Solent University vs University of Cumbria at a glance

Southampton, Solent University and University of Cumbria both teach 21 subject areas, the largest being Design & Fashion, Sport & Exercise Sciences and Business Studies. Southampton, Solent University offers 294 courses across 42 subject areas; University of Cumbria offers 136 courses across 40 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,080 a year at Southampton, Solent University and £16,000 at University of Cumbria: University of Cumbria is about £3,080 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,350 a year at Southampton, Solent University and £16,900 at University of Cumbria: University of Cumbria is about £1,450 a year cheaper.

Of the 14 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Southampton, Solent University is higher in 11 and University of Cumbria in 2, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Biomedical Sciences: £21,000 three years after graduating from Southampton, Solent University, against £33,000 from University of Cumbria. Of the 14 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Southampton, Solent University is higher in 11 and University of Cumbria in 2, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
—
—
THE World
—
—
Guardian UK
#101
1855
Established
2007
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 Cumbria

88.2%
80.5%

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%
89.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

14.9%
2.6%

International

International student share

294
136

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

11
1

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

Cumbria

14 countries · 2.6% international

  • 🇨🇦Canada14.9%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan14.9%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria10.6%
  • 🇩🇪Germany8.5%
  • 🇮🇪Ireland8.5%

Subjects

21 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 Cumbria

Also taught at both: Fine Art, Health & Social Care, Adult Nursing, Applied Psychology, Education Studies, Social Work.

Only at Southampton, Solent University

Only at University of Cumbria

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 Cumbria
£16,000

University of Cumbria is about £3,080 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Southampton, Solent University
£18,350
University of Cumbria
£16,900

University of Cumbria is about £1,450 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 Cumbria

  • Design & Fashion

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£17,000
    89%Satisfaction74%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £22,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    95%Satisfaction84%

  • Business Studies

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    93%Satisfaction89%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    87%Satisfaction85%

  • Hospitality, Events & Tourism

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    77%Satisfaction82%

  • Film Production & Cinematography

    £18,500Salary (3 years)£17,000
    82%Satisfaction77%

  • Law

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£18,500
    96%Satisfaction95%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    88%Satisfaction70%

  • Psychology (General)

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£19,500
    89%Satisfaction87%

  • Management

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    87%Satisfaction76%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    100%Satisfaction100%

  • Fine Art

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£17,000
    79%Satisfaction91%

Showing the 12 largest of 15 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 Cumbria

Future Talent Award

£8,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Southampton, Solent University vs University of Cumbria: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,080 a year at Southampton, Solent University and £16,000 at University of Cumbria: University of Cumbria is about £3,080 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,350 a year at Southampton, Solent University and £16,900 at University of Cumbria: University of Cumbria is about £1,450 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 Cumbria?

Both universities teach 21 subject areas: Design & Fashion, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Business Studies, Business & Management (General), Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Film Production & Cinematography, Childhood & Youth Studies, Law, Computer Science, Sociology & Criminology, Mechanical Engineering, Psychology (General) and 9 more.

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

Design & Fashion graduates earn a median £20,500 three years after graduating from Southampton, Solent University, and £17,000 from University of Cumbria. Student satisfaction with teaching is 89% at Southampton, Solent University and 74% at University of Cumbria. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

Southampton, Solent University lists 294 courses on CourseOptions and University of Cumbria lists 136 courses.

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

Southampton, Solent University teaches 21 subject areas that University of Cumbria does not, including Accounting, Music, Media & Film Studies, Social Sciences (General), Software Engineering, Building & Construction, Architecture, Finance & Actuarial Science and 13 more.

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

University of Cumbria teaches 19 subject areas that Southampton, Solent University does not, including Forestry & Arboriculture, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Ecology & Conservation, Human Geography & Environment, Nursing (General), Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Zoology & Animal Biology, Counselling & Psychotherapy and 11 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 Cumbria136 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses