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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
University of Bristol

Bristol · QS World #57

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 11 datapoints

We looked at 11 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

2/11

Swansea

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

9/11

Bristol

scored higher in 9 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Bristol leads in 9 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, scholarship). Swansea University is ahead on employment, courses.

Swansea University vs University of Bristol at a glance

Swansea University and University of Bristol both teach 60 subject areas, the largest being Law, Computer Science and Politics & International Relations. Swansea University offers 916 courses across 97 subject areas; University of Bristol offers 479 courses across 83 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,550 a year at Swansea University and £31,300 at University of Bristol: Swansea University is about £9,750 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,950 a year at Swansea University and £28,460 at University of Bristol: Swansea University is about £5,510 a year cheaper.

Of the 33 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Bristol is higher in 30 and Swansea University in 3. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £31,500 three years after graduating from Swansea University, against £48,000 from University of Bristol. Of the 33 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Bristol is higher in 17 and Swansea University in 12, with 4 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#322
QS World
#57
#301
THE World
#80
#32
Guardian UK
#13
1920
Established
1876
No
Russell Group
Yes
—
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Swansea University

University of Bristol

86.1%
88%

Satisfaction

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

£31,800
£43,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

78.5%
77.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

14.1%
33.6%

International

International student share

916
479

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

5
54

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

Bristol

104 countries · 33.6% international

  • 🇨🇳China53.5%
  • 🇮🇳India7.2%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong3.8%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.6%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore2.8%

Subjects

60 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

University of Bristol

Also taught at both: Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences, General Engineering, Management, Business Studies, Social Policy & Public Policy, Chemistry, Media & Film Studies, Philosophy, Accounting, Anatomy & Pathology, Classical Studies, Physical Geography & Climate, Biology, English Studies, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Geology & Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Environment, Childhood & Youth Studies, Health & Social Care, Archaeology, Welsh Studies, Pharmacology, Social Work, Marketing, Materials Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Healthcare Science, Linguistics, Medicine, Zoology & Animal Biology, Design & Fashion, Humanities, Computing & IT, Creative Writing, Human Resource Management, Theology & Religious Studies, Information & Library Studies, Public Health & Epidemiology, Software Engineering, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Social Sciences (General), Geography (General), Information Systems & Data Science.

Only at Swansea University

Only at University of Bristol

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
University of Bristol
£31,300

Swansea University is about £9,750 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Swansea University
£22,950
University of Bristol
£28,460

Swansea University is about £5,510 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.

Swansea University

University of Bristol

  • Law

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£35,000
    82%Satisfaction87%

  • Computer Science

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£48,000
    84%Satisfaction93%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    90%Satisfaction89%

  • Economics

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£42,000
    90%Satisfaction81%

  • Mathematics

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£34,500
    86%Satisfaction87%

  • Physics

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£34,500
    91%Satisfaction89%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    87%Satisfaction88%

  • History

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£28,500
    90%Satisfaction90%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£36,000
    69%Satisfaction83%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£40,500
    90%Satisfaction80%

  • Civil Engineering

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    79%Satisfaction92%

  • Education Studies

    No dataSalary (3 years)No data
    90%Satisfaction88%

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 →

University of Bristol

Black Heritage PhD Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Black heritage PhD scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Bristol Postgraduate Research Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Bristol Postgraduate Research Scholarships for applicants of Black heritage

100%

Deadline: N/A

British Council scholarships for Women

100%

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Swansea University vs University of Bristol: common questions

Is Swansea University or University of Bristol cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,550 a year at Swansea University and £31,300 at University of Bristol: Swansea University is about £9,750 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,950 a year at Swansea University and £28,460 at University of Bristol: Swansea University is about £5,510 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 University of Bristol?

Both universities teach 60 subject areas: Law, Computer Science, Politics & International Relations, Economics, Mathematics, Physics, Business & Management (General), Sociology & Criminology, History, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science and 48 more.

Is Swansea University or University of Bristol better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £21,000 three years after graduating from Swansea University, and £35,000 from University of Bristol. Student satisfaction with teaching is 82% at Swansea University and 87% at University of Bristol. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Swansea University or University of Bristol offer more courses?

Swansea University lists 916 courses on CourseOptions and University of Bristol lists 479 courses.

What can you study at Swansea University but not at University of Bristol?

Swansea University teaches 37 subject areas that University of Bristol does not, including Teacher Training, Genetics & Genomics, American & Comparative Studies, Chemical Engineering, Medical Sciences, English Literature, Biomedical Engineering, Sport & Exercise Sciences and 29 more.

What can you study at University of Bristol but not at Swansea University?

University of Bristol teaches 23 subject areas that Swansea University does not, including Dentistry, Ancient Languages, Music, Drama & Theatre, Film Production & Cinematography, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Veterinary Medicine, History of Art & Design and 15 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
University of Bristol479 courses · 54 scholarshipsBrowse Courses