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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 Derby

Derby · QS World #1201

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 7 datapoints

We looked at 7 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

3/7

Southampton

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

4/7

Derby

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Derby leads in 4 of 7 categories where both have data (established, satisfaction, employment, courses). Southampton, Solent University is ahead on international, graduate salary, scholarship.

Southampton, Solent University vs University of Derby at a glance

Southampton, Solent University and University of Derby both teach 36 subject areas, the largest being Design & Fashion, Business & Management (General) and Sport & Exercise Sciences. Southampton, Solent University offers 294 courses across 42 subject areas; University of Derby offers 375 courses across 74 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,080 a year at Southampton, Solent University and £16,900 at University of Derby: University of Derby is about £2,180 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,350 a year at Southampton, Solent University and £17,500 at University of Derby: University of Derby is about £850 a year cheaper.

Of the 28 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Southampton, Solent University is higher in 14 and University of Derby in 9, with 5 about level. The widest gap is in Mechanical Engineering: £25,000 three years after graduating from Southampton, Solent University, against £31,000 from University of Derby. Of the 27 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Southampton, Solent University is higher in 14 and University of Derby in 10, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
#1201
—
THE World
#601
—
Guardian UK
#80
1855
Established
1851
No
Russell Group
No
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 Derby

88.2%
88.5%

Satisfaction

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

£28,100
£27,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.5%
85.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

14.9%
14.3%

International

International student share

294
375

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

11
6

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

Derby

64 countries · 14.3% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria34.5%
  • 🇮🇳India15.3%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan8.1%
  • 🇬🇭Ghana6.5%
  • 🇰🇪Kenya5.5%

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 Derby

Also taught at both: Building & Construction, Finance & Actuarial Science, Software Engineering, Architecture, Journalism, Health & Social Care, Mechanical Engineering, Education Studies, Management, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Technology & Logistics, Adult Nursing, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Politics & International Relations, Biomedical Sciences, Childhood & Youth Studies, Drama & Theatre, Fine Art, General Engineering, Social Work, Mathematics.

Only at Southampton, Solent University

Only at University of Derby

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 Derby
£16,900

University of Derby is about £2,180 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Southampton, Solent University
£18,350
University of Derby
£17,500

University of Derby is about £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 Derby

  • Design & Fashion

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£19,000
    89%Satisfaction85%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    87%Satisfaction93%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

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

  • Hospitality, Events & Tourism

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
    77%Satisfaction85%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£20,500
    88%Satisfaction85%

  • Business Studies

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    93%Satisfaction79%

  • Accounting

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    No dataSatisfaction90%

  • Law

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£20,500
    96%Satisfaction87%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£20,000
    91%Satisfaction92%

  • Film Production & Cinematography

    £18,500Salary (3 years)£17,500
    82%Satisfaction80%

  • Music

    £18,500Salary (3 years)£18,500
    93%Satisfaction99%

  • Psychology (General)

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    89%Satisfaction90%

Showing the 12 largest of 29 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 Derby

Biomedical Science Excellence Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Golding Awards

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sarah Essam Football Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sitwell Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Southampton, Solent University vs University of Derby: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,080 a year at Southampton, Solent University and £16,900 at University of Derby: University of Derby is about £2,180 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,350 a year at Southampton, Solent University and £17,500 at University of Derby: University of Derby is about £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 Derby?

Both universities teach 36 subject areas: Design & Fashion, Business & Management (General), Sport & Exercise Sciences, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Sociology & Criminology, Business Studies, Accounting, Law, Media & Film Studies, Film Production & Cinematography, Music, Marketing and 24 more.

Is Southampton, Solent University or University of Derby 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 Derby. Student satisfaction with teaching is 89% at Southampton, Solent University and 85% at University of Derby. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Derby lists 375 courses on CourseOptions and Southampton, Solent University lists 294 courses.

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

Southampton, Solent University teaches 6 subject areas that University of Derby does not, including Social Sciences (General), Chemical Engineering, Crafts & Applied Arts, Applied Psychology, Marine Engineering & Technology and Information Systems & Data Science.

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

University of Derby teaches 38 subject areas that Southampton, Solent University does not, including Economics, English Studies, Civil Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, History, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Creative Writing, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science and 30 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 Derby375 courses · 6 scholarshipsBrowse Courses