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 Plymouth

Plymouth · QS World #691

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.

4/7

Southampton

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

3/7

Plymouth

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

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

Southampton, Solent University vs University of Plymouth at a glance

Southampton, Solent University and University of Plymouth both teach 37 subject areas, the largest being Design & Fashion, Business & Management (General) and Business Studies. Southampton, Solent University offers 294 courses across 42 subject areas; University of Plymouth offers 310 courses across 78 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,080 a year at Southampton, Solent University and £19,200 at University of Plymouth, so the two cost about the same. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,350 a year at Southampton, Solent University and £19,500 at University of Plymouth: Southampton, Solent University is about £1,150 a year cheaper.

Of the 24 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Plymouth is higher in 16 and Southampton, Solent University in 3, with 5 about level. The widest gap is in Electronic & Electrical Engineering: £25,000 three years after graduating from Southampton, Solent University, against £32,000 from University of Plymouth. Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Southampton, Solent University is higher in 13 and University of Plymouth in 7.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
#691
—
THE World
#501
—
Guardian UK
#56
1855
Established
1862
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 Plymouth

88.2%
86.6%

Satisfaction

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

£28,100
£30,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.5%
84.2%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

14.9%
11.9%

International

International student share

294
310

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

11
10

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

Plymouth

71 countries · 11.9% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria14.6%
  • 🇨🇳China12.2%
  • 🇮🇳India11%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.7%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka3.3%

Subjects

37 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 Plymouth

Also taught at both: Mechanical Engineering, Software Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Games Design & Computer Animation, Social Sciences (General), Adult Nursing, Finance & Actuarial Science, Marine Engineering & Technology, Architecture, Politics & International Relations, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Mathematics, Technology & Logistics, Chemical Engineering, Education Studies, General Engineering, Marketing, Social Work, Applied Psychology, Childhood & Youth Studies, Drama & Theatre, Fine Art.

Only at Southampton, Solent University

Only at University of Plymouth

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 Plymouth
£19,200

About the same.

Postgraduate

Southampton, Solent University
£18,350
University of Plymouth
£19,500

Southampton, Solent University is about £1,150 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 Plymouth

  • Design & Fashion

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    89%Satisfaction77%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    87%Satisfaction83%

  • Business Studies

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    93%Satisfaction74%

  • Hospitality, Events & Tourism

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

  • Law

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£21,500
    96%Satisfaction84%

  • Computer Science

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    84%Satisfaction72%

  • Accounting

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    No dataSatisfaction90%

  • Film Production & Cinematography

    £18,500Salary (3 years)£18,500
    82%Satisfaction94%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    88%Satisfaction83%

  • Psychology (General)

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£21,500
    89%Satisfaction84%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    86%Satisfaction91%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £19,500Salary (3 years)No data
    91%Satisfaction87%

Showing the 12 largest of 25 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 Plymouth

GREAT Scholarships

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

International Undergraduate Welcome to Plymouth Scholarship

£6,000

Deadline: N/A

Tamar Engineering Project

£4,500

Deadline: Jun 2026

International Postgraduate Welcome to Plymouth Scholarship

£4,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Southampton, Solent University vs University of Plymouth: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,080 a year at Southampton, Solent University and £19,200 at University of Plymouth, so the two cost about the same. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,350 a year at Southampton, Solent University and £19,500 at University of Plymouth: Southampton, Solent University is about £1,150 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 Plymouth?

Both universities teach 37 subject areas: Design & Fashion, Business & Management (General), Business Studies, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Law, Computer Science, Accounting, Film Production & Cinematography, Sociology & Criminology, Psychology (General), Music, Electronic & Electrical Engineering and 25 more.

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

Design & Fashion graduates earn a median £20,500 three years after graduating from Southampton, Solent University, and £21,000 from University of Plymouth. Student satisfaction with teaching is 89% at Southampton, Solent University and 77% at University of Plymouth. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Plymouth lists 310 courses on CourseOptions and Southampton, Solent University lists 294 courses.

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

Southampton, Solent University teaches 5 subject areas that University of Plymouth does not, including Sport & Exercise Sciences, Journalism, Crafts & Applied Arts, Health & Social Care and Information Systems & Data Science.

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

University of Plymouth teaches 41 subject areas that Southampton, Solent University does not, including Geology & Earth Sciences, Civil Engineering, Ecology & Conservation, Nutrition & Dietetics, Physical Geography & Climate, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Dentistry, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation and 33 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 Plymouth310 courses · 10 scholarshipsBrowse Courses