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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
Swansea University

Swansea · QS World #322

U
Ulster University

Belfast · QS World #595

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 9 datapoints

We looked at 9 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

6/9

Swansea

scored higher in 6 categories

VS

3/9

Ulster

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

Swansea University leads in 6 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, established, courses, scholarship). Ulster University is ahead on satisfaction, employment, international.

Swansea University vs Ulster University at a glance

Swansea University and Ulster University both teach 50 subject areas, the largest being Law, Computer Science and Politics & International Relations. Swansea University offers 916 courses across 97 subject areas; Ulster University offers 170 courses across 66 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,550 a year at Swansea University and £17,490 at Ulster University: Ulster University is about £4,060 a year cheaper.

Of the 34 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Swansea University is higher in 20 and Ulster University in 14.

World & National Rankings

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

#322
QS World
#595
#301
THE World
#601
#32
Guardian UK
#60
1920
Established
1968
No
Russell Group
No
—
TEF Rating
—

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Swansea University

Ulster University

86.1%
86.4%

Satisfaction

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

£31,800
No data

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

78.5%
84.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

14.1%
32.5%

International

International student share

916
170

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

5
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.

Swansea

73 countries · 14.1% international

  • 🇮🇳India25.4%
  • 🇨🇳China12.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria8.2%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia4.5%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong3.9%
VS

Ulster

45 countries · 32.5% international

  • 🇵🇰Pakistan27.8%
  • 🇮🇪Ireland21.4%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria16.1%
  • 🇮🇳India12.6%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh8.6%

Subjects

50 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.

Swansea University

Ulster University

Also taught at both: Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Psychology (General), Health & Social Care, Medical Sciences, English Literature, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Biology, Physical Geography & Climate, Social Policy & Public Policy, Biomedical Engineering, English Studies, Social Work, Environmental Sciences, Journalism, Marketing, Design & Fashion, Linguistics, Building & Construction, Computing & IT, Geology & Earth Sciences, Human Resource Management, Software Engineering, Pharmacy, Public Health & Epidemiology, Anatomy & Pathology, Information Systems & Data Science, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Planning & Housing, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Complementary & Alternative Medicine, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Learning Disabilities Nursing, Management, Medicine.

Only at Swansea University

Only at Ulster University

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

Swansea University
£21,550
Ulster University
£17,490

Ulster University is about £4,060 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Swansea University
£22,950
Ulster University
No data

We do not have reliable international fee data for Ulster University yet.

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.

Swansea University

Ulster University

  • Law

    £21,000Salary (3 years)No data
    82%Satisfaction87%

  • Computer Science

    £31,500Salary (3 years)No data
    84%Satisfaction79%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £23,000Salary (3 years)No data
    90%Satisfaction84%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £24,500Salary (3 years)No data
    87%Satisfaction84%

  • Economics

    £30,000Salary (3 years)No data
    90%Satisfaction88%

  • History

    £21,500Salary (3 years)No data
    90%Satisfaction92%

  • Business Studies

    £25,500Salary (3 years)No data
    82%Satisfaction83%

  • Health Sciences & Paramedic Science

    £20,500Salary (3 years)No data
    97%Satisfaction88%

  • Civil Engineering

    £29,000Salary (3 years)No data
    79%Satisfaction100%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £25,000Salary (3 years)No data
    90%Satisfaction84%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £30,000Salary (3 years)No data
    69%Satisfaction86%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £32,000Salary (3 years)No data
    92%Satisfaction83%

Showing the 12 largest of 34 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Swansea University

History and Heritage Studies: AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership Studentship (Fully Funded) in History with Museum Wales (RS950)

100%

Deadline: N/A

History: AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership Studentship (Fully Funded) in History with The National Archives (RS948)

100%

Deadline: N/A

History: AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership Studentship in History with Museum Wales (RS949)

See details

Deadline: N/A

PhD Studentship in Sustainable Fusion Steels: Whole Lifecycle Design of Tokamak Vacuum Vessel Steels (RS964)

See details

Deadline: N/A

Swansea University International Postgraduate Research Excellence Scholarships 2025/26

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

Ulster University

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Swansea University vs Ulster University: common questions

Is Swansea University or Ulster University cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,550 a year at Swansea University and £17,490 at Ulster University: Ulster University is about £4,060 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 Swansea University and Ulster University?

Both universities teach 50 subject areas: Law, Computer Science, Politics & International Relations, Sociology & Criminology, Economics, History, Business Studies, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Civil Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Biomedical Sciences and 38 more.

Does Swansea University or Ulster University offer more courses?

Swansea University lists 916 courses on CourseOptions and Ulster University lists 170 courses.

What can you study at Swansea University but not at Ulster University?

Swansea University teaches 47 subject areas that Ulster University does not, including Business & Management (General), Mathematics, Physics, Teacher Training, Genetics & Genomics, Education Studies, American & Comparative Studies, Biochemistry and 39 more.

What can you study at Ulster University but not at Swansea University?

Ulster University teaches 16 subject areas that Swansea University does not, including Irish Studies, Music, Film Production & Cinematography, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Nutrition & Dietetics, Architecture, Drama & Theatre, Medical Imaging and 8 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

S
Swansea University916 courses · 5 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
Ulster University170 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses