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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 Leeds

Leeds · QS World #77

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

Leeds

scored higher in 9 categories

Quick Verdict

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

Swansea University vs University of Leeds at a glance

Swansea University and University of Leeds both teach 80 subject areas, the largest being Law, Computer Science and Civil Engineering. Swansea University offers 916 courses across 97 subject areas; University of Leeds offers 579 courses across 110 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,550 a year at Swansea University and £33,700 at University of Leeds: Swansea University is about £12,150 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,950 a year at Swansea University and £31,500 at University of Leeds: Swansea University is about £8,550 a year cheaper.

Of the 49 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Leeds is higher in 45 and Swansea University in 4. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £31,500 three years after graduating from Swansea University, against £42,000 from University of Leeds. Of the 50 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Swansea University is higher in 26 and University of Leeds in 23, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#322
QS World
#77
#301
THE World
#118
#32
Guardian UK
#15
1920
Established
1904
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 Leeds

86.1%
85.7%

Satisfaction

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

£31,800
£37,200

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

78.5%
82.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

14.1%
31.5%

International

International student share

916
579

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

5
13

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

Leeds

105 countries · 31.5% international

  • 🇨🇳China49.5%
  • 🇮🇳India9.6%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.9%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.4%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.8%

Subjects

80 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 Leeds

Also taught at both: Finance & Actuarial Science, Teacher Training, Genetics & Genomics, Philosophy, Biomedical Sciences, Chemical Engineering, English Literature, Human Geography & Environment, Psychology (General), Aerospace Engineering, General Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Medical Sciences, Biochemistry, Design & Fashion, Biology, Childhood & Youth Studies, Health & Social Care, Biomedical Engineering, Classical Studies, Social Policy & Public Policy, English Studies, Linguistics, Ecology & Conservation, Geology & Earth Sciences, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Management, Marketing, Materials Engineering, Physical Geography & Climate, Zoology & Animal Biology, Environmental Sciences, Pharmacology, English Language, Human Resource Management, Theology & Religious Studies, Biotechnology, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Biological Sciences (General), Counselling & Psychotherapy, Information & Library Studies, Journalism, Public Health & Epidemiology, Social Work, Creative Writing, Healthcare Science, Humanities, Information Systems & Data Science, Midwifery, Adult Nursing, International Development, Mental Health Nursing, Pharmacy, Planning & Housing, Social Sciences (General), Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Medicine, Anatomy & Pathology, Applied Psychology, Children's Nursing, Clinical & Health Psychology, Materials Science, Public Relations.

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 Leeds
£33,700

Swansea University is about £12,150 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Swansea University
£22,950
University of Leeds
£31,500

Swansea University is about £8,550 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 Leeds

  • Law

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    82%Satisfaction87%
  • Computer Science

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£42,000
    84%Satisfaction79%
  • Civil Engineering

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    79%Satisfaction89%
  • Politics & International Relations

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    90%Satisfaction85%
  • Physics

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    91%Satisfaction89%
  • Economics

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£36,000
    90%Satisfaction88%
  • Sociology & Criminology

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    87%Satisfaction82%
  • Mathematics

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£31,500
    86%Satisfaction83%
  • Business Studies

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£36,000
    82%Satisfaction84%
  • History

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    90%Satisfaction94%
  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    69%Satisfaction92%
  • Media & Film Studies

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    84%Satisfaction90%

Showing the 12 largest of 51 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 Leeds

Gazan Humanitarian Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Gazan Humanitarian Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Global Community Bursary

£10,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

Sanctuary Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Swansea University vs University of Leeds: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,550 a year at Swansea University and £33,700 at University of Leeds: Swansea University is about £12,150 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,950 a year at Swansea University and £31,500 at University of Leeds: Swansea University is about £8,550 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 Leeds?

Both universities teach 80 subject areas: Law, Computer Science, Civil Engineering, Politics & International Relations, Physics, Economics, Sociology & Criminology, Mathematics, Business & Management (General), Business Studies, History, Electronic & Electrical Engineering and 68 more.

Is Swansea University or University of Leeds better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £21,000 three years after graduating from Swansea University, and £26,000 from University of Leeds. Student satisfaction with teaching is 82% at Swansea University and 87% at University of Leeds. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Swansea University or University of Leeds offer more courses?

Swansea University lists 916 courses on CourseOptions and University of Leeds lists 579 courses.

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

Swansea University teaches 17 subject areas that University of Leeds does not, including Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, American & Comparative Studies, Accounting, Archaeology, Welsh Studies, Building & Construction, Combined & General Studies, Computing & IT and 9 more.

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

University of Leeds teaches 30 subject areas that Swansea University does not, including Music, Personal & Professional Development, Ancient Languages, Asian Languages & Studies, Drama & Theatre, Medical Imaging, Natural Sciences, Nutrition & Dietetics and 22 more.

Ready to explore courses?

Browse available courses, check entry requirements, and find scholarships at each university.