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Swansea · QS World #322
Chester · Guardian UK #91
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
3/9
Chester
scored higher in 3 categories
Quick Verdict
Swansea University leads in 6 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, satisfaction, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Chester is ahead on established, employment, international.
Swansea University vs University of Chester at a glance
Swansea University and University of Chester both teach 55 subject areas, the largest being Law, Business & Management (General) and Computer Science. Swansea University offers 916 courses across 97 subject areas; University of Chester offers 329 courses across 73 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,550 a year at Swansea University and £14,950 at University of Chester: University of Chester is about £6,600 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,950 a year at Swansea University and £15,500 at University of Chester: University of Chester is about £7,450 a year cheaper.
Of the 30 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Swansea University is higher in 22 and University of Chester in 5, with 3 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £31,500 three years after graduating from Swansea University, against £23,000 from University of Chester. Of the 31 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Swansea University is higher in 22 and University of Chester in 8, with 1 about level.
World & National Rankings
Compare world and national league table positions, TEF ratings, and Russell Group membership.
Visual Breakdown
Key metrics at a glance
Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.
Swansea University
University of Chester
Satisfaction
Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)
Graduate Salaries (5y)
Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation
Employment
Graduate employment rate
International
International student share
Course Counts
Number of courses offered
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%
Chester
52 countries · 28.7% international
- 🇮🇳India32.1%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan26.7%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria11.7%
- 🌐Sri Lanka7.1%
- 🇧🇩Bangladesh2.8%
Subjects
55 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 Chester
Law
40 coursesTypical fee £18,250 (UG)
9 coursesTypical fee £14,950 (UG)
Business & Management (General)
33 coursesTypical fee £20,600 (UG)
14 coursesTypical fee £14,950 (UG)
Computer Science
37 coursesTypical fee £21,550 (UG)
8 coursesTypical fee £14,950 (UG)
Politics & International Relations
35 coursesTypical fee £20,150 (UG)
9 coursesTypical fee £14,950 (UG)
Sociology & Criminology
28 coursesTypical fee £20,050 (UG)
16 coursesTypical fee £14,950 (UG)
Childhood & Youth Studies
12 coursesTypical fee £19,950 (UG)
26 coursesTypical fee £14,950 (PG)
Health Sciences & Paramedic Science
24 coursesFee not available
8 coursesFee not available
History
24 coursesTypical fee £19,950 (PG)
5 coursesTypical fee £14,950 (UG)
Psychology (General)
15 coursesTypical fee £20,550 (UG)
14 coursesTypical fee £14,950 (UG)
Finance & Actuarial Science
23 coursesTypical fee £20,600 (UG)
5 coursesTypical fee £14,950 (UG)
Mathematics
25 coursesTypical fee £21,250 (UG)
3 coursesTypical fee £14,950 (UG)
Teacher Training
23 coursesTypical fee £20,250 (UG)
3 coursesTypical fee £14,950 (UG)
Business Studies
19 coursesTypical fee £20,600 (UG)
3 coursesTypical fee £14,950 (UG)
Biomedical Sciences
17 coursesTypical fee £23,900 (UG)
4 coursesTypical fee £14,950 (UG)
Media & Film Studies
17 coursesTypical fee £18,550 (PG)
4 coursesTypical fee £14,950 (UG)
Also taught at both: Education Studies, Chemical Engineering, Archaeology, General Engineering, Accounting, English Literature, Biology, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Health & Social Care, Chemistry, Marketing, Design & Fashion, Journalism, Software Engineering, Ecology & Conservation, English Language, English Studies, Social Work, Adult Nursing, Geography (General), Mental Health Nursing, Creative Writing, Humanities, Biotechnology, Building & Construction, Computing & IT, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Learning Disabilities Nursing, Midwifery, Public Health & Epidemiology, Social Sciences (General), Theology & Religious Studies, Applied Psychology, Children's Nursing, Clinical Specialities, Information & Library Studies, Information Systems & Data Science, Biological Sciences (General), Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Medicine.
Only at Swansea 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
- University of Chester
- £14,950
University of Chester is about £6,600 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Swansea University
- £22,950
- University of Chester
- £15,500
University of Chester is about £7,450 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 Chester
Law
£21,000Salary (3 years)£20,00082%Satisfaction89%Business & Management (General)
£25,000Salary (3 years)£21,500No dataSatisfaction79%Computer Science
£31,500Salary (3 years)£23,00084%Satisfaction83%Politics & International Relations
£23,000Salary (3 years)£21,00090%Satisfaction86%Sociology & Criminology
£24,500Salary (3 years)£20,50087%Satisfaction86%Childhood & Youth Studies
£24,500Salary (3 years)£21,00075%SatisfactionNo dataHistory
£21,500Salary (3 years)£19,50090%Satisfaction94%Psychology (General)
£21,500Salary (3 years)£20,50084%Satisfaction82%Finance & Actuarial Science
£25,000Salary (3 years)£21,50090%Satisfaction77%Mathematics
£25,000Salary (3 years)£24,00086%SatisfactionNo dataTeacher Training
No dataSalary (3 years)£26,00089%Satisfaction83%Business Studies
£25,500Salary (3 years)£21,50082%Satisfaction88%
Showing the 12 largest of 34 shared subjects with published outcomes.
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveSwansea 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
University of Chester
NHS Learning Support Fund
£5,000
Deadline: N/A
Visit Us Travel Bursary
£100
Deadline: N/A
Futures Employability Fund
See details
Deadline: N/A
FAQ
Swansea University vs University of Chester: common questions
Is Swansea University or University of Chester cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,550 a year at Swansea University and £14,950 at University of Chester: University of Chester is about £6,600 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,950 a year at Swansea University and £15,500 at University of Chester: University of Chester is about £7,450 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 Chester?
Both universities teach 55 subject areas: Law, Business & Management (General), Computer Science, Politics & International Relations, Sociology & Criminology, Childhood & Youth Studies, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, History, Psychology (General), Finance & Actuarial Science, Mathematics, Teacher Training and 43 more.
Is Swansea University or University of Chester better for Law?
Law graduates earn a median £21,000 three years after graduating from Swansea University, and £20,000 from University of Chester. Student satisfaction with teaching is 82% at Swansea University and 89% at University of Chester. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Swansea University or University of Chester offer more courses?
Swansea University lists 916 courses on CourseOptions and University of Chester lists 329 courses.
What can you study at Swansea University but not at University of Chester?
Swansea University teaches 42 subject areas that University of Chester does not, including Economics, Physics, Civil Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Genetics & Genomics, American & Comparative Studies, Biochemistry, Medical Sciences and 34 more.
What can you study at University of Chester but not at Swansea University?
University of Chester teaches 18 subject areas that Swansea University does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Nutrition & Dietetics, Animal Science, Agriculture & Land Management, Games Design & Computer Animation, Music, Ancient Languages, Drama & Theatre and 10 more.
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