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
Swansea University

Swansea · QS World #322

U
University of Cumbria

Lancaster · Guardian UK #101

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 8 datapoints

We looked at 8 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

7/8

Swansea

scored higher in 7 categories

VS

1/8

Cumbria

scored higher in 1 category

Quick Verdict

Swansea University leads in 7 of 8 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Cumbria is ahead on employment.

Swansea University vs University of Cumbria at a glance

Swansea University and University of Cumbria both teach 32 subject areas, the largest being Law, Business & Management (General) and Computer Science. Swansea University offers 916 courses across 97 subject areas; University of Cumbria offers 136 courses across 40 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,550 a year at Swansea University and £16,000 at University of Cumbria: University of Cumbria is about £5,550 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,950 a year at Swansea University and £16,900 at University of Cumbria: University of Cumbria is about £6,050 a year cheaper.

Of the 21 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Swansea University is higher in 13 and University of Cumbria in 8. The widest gap is in Counselling & Psychotherapy: £19,500 three years after graduating from Swansea University, against £26,500 from University of Cumbria. Of the 21 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Swansea University is higher in 12 and University of Cumbria in 8, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#322
QS World
—
#301
THE World
—
#32
Guardian UK
#101
1920
Established
2007
No
Russell Group
No
—
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 Cumbria

86.1%
80.5%

Satisfaction

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

£31,800
£27,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

78.5%
89.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

14.1%
2.6%

International

International student share

916
136

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

5
1

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

Cumbria

14 countries · 2.6% international

  • 🇨🇦Canada14.9%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan14.9%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria10.6%
  • 🇩🇪Germany8.5%
  • 🇮🇪Ireland8.5%

Subjects

32 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 Cumbria

Also taught at both: Ecology & Conservation, Physical Geography & Climate, Biomedical Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Design & Fashion, Welsh Studies, Zoology & Animal Biology, Nursing (General), Midwifery, Social Work, Adult Nursing, Mental Health Nursing, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Applied Psychology, Children's Nursing, Learning Disabilities Nursing, Management.

Only at Swansea University

Only at University of Cumbria

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 Cumbria
£16,000

University of Cumbria is about £5,550 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Swansea University
£22,950
University of Cumbria
£16,900

University of Cumbria is about £6,050 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 Cumbria

  • Law

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£18,500
    82%Satisfaction95%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    No dataSatisfaction85%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    87%Satisfaction70%

  • Health Sciences & Paramedic Science

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    97%Satisfaction98%

  • Teacher Training

    No dataSalary (3 years)£25,000
    89%Satisfaction82%

  • Business Studies

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    82%Satisfaction89%

  • Psychology (General)

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    84%Satisfaction87%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    92%Satisfaction100%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    96%Satisfaction84%

  • Human Geography & Environment

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
    92%Satisfaction77%

  • Health & Social Care

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£18,500
    92%Satisfaction73%

  • Ecology & Conservation

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    95%Satisfaction92%

Showing the 12 largest of 22 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 Cumbria

Future Talent Award

£8,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Swansea University vs University of Cumbria: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,550 a year at Swansea University and £16,000 at University of Cumbria: University of Cumbria is about £5,550 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,950 a year at Swansea University and £16,900 at University of Cumbria: University of Cumbria is about £6,050 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 Cumbria?

Both universities teach 32 subject areas: Law, Business & Management (General), Computer Science, Sociology & Criminology, Childhood & Youth Studies, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Teacher Training, Business Studies, Psychology (General), Biomedical Sciences, Education Studies, Sport & Exercise Sciences and 20 more.

Is Swansea University or University of Cumbria better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £21,000 three years after graduating from Swansea University, and £18,500 from University of Cumbria. Student satisfaction with teaching is 82% at Swansea University and 95% at University of Cumbria. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Swansea University or University of Cumbria offer more courses?

Swansea University lists 916 courses on CourseOptions and University of Cumbria lists 136 courses.

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

Swansea University teaches 65 subject areas that University of Cumbria does not, including Politics & International Relations, Economics, Mathematics, History, Finance & Actuarial Science, Physics, Civil Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering and 57 more.

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

University of Cumbria teaches 8 subject areas that Swansea University does not, including Film Production & Cinematography, Forestry & Arboriculture, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Fine Art, Medical Imaging, Games Design & Computer Animation and Plant Sciences.

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 Cumbria136 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses