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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 Derby

Derby · QS World #1201

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 10 datapoints

We looked at 10 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

5/10

Swansea

scored higher in 5 categories

VS

5/10

Derby

scored higher in 5 categories

Quick Verdict

Swansea University and University of Derby are evenly matched: each leads in 5 of 10 categories where both have data. Swansea University is ahead on ranking, graduate salary, courses; University of Derby on established, satisfaction, employment, international, scholarship.

Swansea University vs University of Derby at a glance

Swansea University and University of Derby both teach 58 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Law and Sociology & Criminology. Swansea University offers 916 courses across 97 subject areas; University of Derby offers 375 courses across 74 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,550 a year at Swansea University and £16,900 at University of Derby: University of Derby is about £4,650 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,950 a year at Swansea University and £17,500 at University of Derby: University of Derby is about £5,450 a year cheaper.

Of the 34 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Swansea University is higher in 22 and University of Derby in 6, with 6 about level. The widest gap is in Economics: £30,000 three years after graduating from Swansea University, against £22,500 from University of Derby. Of the 34 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Derby is higher in 23 and Swansea University in 9, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#322
QS World
#1201
#301
THE World
#601
#32
Guardian UK
#80
1920
Established
1851
No
Russell Group
No
—
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 Derby

86.1%
88.5%

Satisfaction

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

£31,800
£27,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

78.5%
85.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

14.1%
14.3%

International

International student share

916
375

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

5
6

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

Derby

64 countries · 14.3% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria34.5%
  • 🇮🇳India15.3%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan8.1%
  • 🇬🇭Ghana6.5%
  • 🇰🇪Kenya5.5%

Subjects

58 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 Derby

Also taught at both: Physics, Education Studies, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, Design & Fashion, Marketing, Health & Social Care, Accounting, General Engineering, English Studies, Childhood & Youth Studies, Mechanical Engineering, Biology, Human Geography & Environment, Journalism, Creative Writing, Adult Nursing, Environmental Sciences, Mental Health Nursing, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Building & Construction, Ecology & Conservation, English Language, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Human Resource Management, Social Work, Zoology & Animal Biology, Computing & IT, Geology & Earth Sciences, Humanities, Software Engineering, Combined & General Studies, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Midwifery, Nursing (General), Children's Nursing, Clinical Specialities, Public Health & Epidemiology, Management, Clinical & Health Psychology, Complementary & Alternative Medicine, Heritage & Conservation.

Only at Swansea University

Only at University of Derby

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 Derby
£16,900

University of Derby is about £4,650 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Swansea University
£22,950
University of Derby
£17,500

University of Derby is about £5,450 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 Derby

  • Business & Management (General)

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    No dataSatisfaction93%

  • Law

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    82%Satisfaction87%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£20,500
    87%Satisfaction85%

  • Computer Science

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    84%Satisfaction73%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    90%Satisfaction90%

  • Economics

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    90%Satisfaction93%

  • History

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    90%Satisfaction100%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    90%Satisfaction91%

  • Civil Engineering

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

  • Psychology (General)

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£20,000
    84%Satisfaction90%

  • Business Studies

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    82%Satisfaction79%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    84%Satisfaction92%

Showing the 12 largest of 37 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 Derby

Biomedical Science Excellence Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Golding Awards

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sarah Essam Football Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sitwell Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Swansea University vs University of Derby: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,550 a year at Swansea University and £16,900 at University of Derby: University of Derby is about £4,650 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,950 a year at Swansea University and £17,500 at University of Derby: University of Derby is about £5,450 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 Derby?

Both universities teach 58 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Law, Sociology & Criminology, Computer Science, Politics & International Relations, Economics, History, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Finance & Actuarial Science, Teacher Training, Civil Engineering, Psychology (General) and 46 more.

Is Swansea University or University of Derby better for Business & Management (General)?

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £25,000 three years after graduating from Swansea University, and £21,000 from University of Derby. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Swansea University or University of Derby offer more courses?

Swansea University lists 916 courses on CourseOptions and University of Derby lists 375 courses.

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

Swansea University teaches 39 subject areas that University of Derby does not, including Genetics & Genomics, American & Comparative Studies, Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry, Medical Sciences, Classical Studies, English Literature, Aerospace Engineering and 31 more.

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

University of Derby teaches 16 subject areas that Swansea University does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Games Design & Computer Animation, Architecture, Forensic Science, Personal & Professional Development, Applied Computing, Business Information Systems, Film Production & Cinematography 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 Derby375 courses · 6 scholarshipsBrowse Courses