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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 Cambridge

Cambridge · QS World #6

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.

3/11

Swansea

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

8/11

Cambridge

scored higher in 8 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Cambridge leads in 8 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary). Swansea University is ahead on employment, courses, scholarship.

Swansea University vs University of Cambridge at a glance

Swansea University and University of Cambridge both teach 63 subject areas, the largest being Law, Computer Science and Politics & International Relations. Swansea University offers 916 courses across 97 subject areas; University of Cambridge offers 336 courses across 79 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,550 a year at Swansea University and £32,890 at University of Cambridge: Swansea University is about £11,340 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,950 a year at Swansea University and £41,300 at University of Cambridge: Swansea University is about £18,350 a year cheaper.

Of the 14 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Cambridge is higher in 14 and Swansea University in 0. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £31,500 three years after graduating from Swansea University, against £63,500 from University of Cambridge. Of the 13 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Cambridge is higher in 10 and Swansea University in 3.

World & National Rankings

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

#322
QS World
#6
#301
THE World
#3
#32
Guardian UK
#2
1920
Established
1209
No
Russell Group
Yes
—
TEF Rating
Gold

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Swansea University

University of Cambridge

86.1%
92.1%

Satisfaction

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

£31,800
£49,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

78.5%
76.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

14.1%
32.2%

International

International student share

916
336

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

Cambridge

96 countries · 32.2% international

  • 🇨🇳China28.2%
  • 🇺🇸United States10.3%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore6.6%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5.3%
  • 🇮🇳India4.7%

Subjects

63 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 Cambridge

Also taught at both: Biological Sciences (General), Childhood & Youth Studies, Business Studies, Civil Engineering, Media & Film Studies, Chemical Engineering, Education Studies, Psychology (General), Biology, American & Comparative Studies, Classical Studies, Human Geography & Environment, Philosophy, Archaeology, Biochemistry, Aerospace Engineering, Chemistry, Health & Social Care, English Studies, Social Policy & Public Policy, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Clinical Specialities, Linguistics, Pharmacology, Welsh Studies, Creative Writing, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biotechnology, Building & Construction, Management, Theology & Religious Studies, Zoology & Animal Biology, Anatomy & Pathology, Computing & IT, Geology & Earth Sciences, Humanities, Software Engineering, Geography (General), Information & Library Studies, Materials Science, Information Systems & Data Science, Medicine, Planning & Housing, Toxicology, Clinical & Health Psychology, Heritage & Conservation, International Development, Landscape Architecture & Design.

Only at Swansea University

Only at University of Cambridge

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 Cambridge
£32,890

Swansea University is about £11,340 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Swansea University
£22,950
University of Cambridge
£41,300

Swansea University is about £18,350 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 Cambridge

  • Law

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£49,000
    82%Satisfaction96%

  • Computer Science

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£63,500
    84%Satisfaction94%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£34,000
    90%SatisfactionNo data

  • History

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    90%Satisfaction95%

  • Economics

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£59,500
    90%Satisfaction86%

  • Mathematics

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£44,500
    86%Satisfaction94%

  • General Engineering

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£39,500
    85%Satisfaction87%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£43,000
    93%Satisfaction94%

  • Education Studies

    No dataSalary (3 years)No data
    90%Satisfaction92%

  • Psychology (General)

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    84%Satisfaction92%

  • Classical Studies

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    95%Satisfaction96%

  • Philosophy

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    90%Satisfaction93%

Showing the 12 largest of 15 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 Cambridge

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Swansea University vs University of Cambridge: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,550 a year at Swansea University and £32,890 at University of Cambridge: Swansea University is about £11,340 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,950 a year at Swansea University and £41,300 at University of Cambridge: Swansea University is about £18,350 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 Cambridge?

Both universities teach 63 subject areas: Law, Computer Science, Politics & International Relations, Business & Management (General), History, Sociology & Criminology, Economics, Mathematics, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Physics, Finance & Actuarial Science, Biomedical Sciences and 51 more.

Is Swansea University or University of Cambridge better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £21,000 three years after graduating from Swansea University, and £49,000 from University of Cambridge. Student satisfaction with teaching is 82% at Swansea University and 96% at University of Cambridge. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Swansea University or University of Cambridge offer more courses?

Swansea University lists 916 courses on CourseOptions and University of Cambridge lists 336 courses.

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

Swansea University teaches 34 subject areas that University of Cambridge does not, including Teacher Training, Medical Sciences, English Literature, Mechanical Engineering, Accounting, Physical Geography & Climate, Biomedical Engineering, Sport & Exercise Sciences and 26 more.

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

University of Cambridge teaches 16 subject areas that Swansea University does not, including Asian Languages & Studies, Architecture, Veterinary Medicine, Celtic Studies, Eastern European Languages, History of Art & Design, Music, Ancient Languages 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
University of Cambridge336 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses