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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 Liverpool

Liverpool · QS World #139

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

Liverpool

scored higher in 9 categories

Quick Verdict

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

Swansea University vs University of Liverpool at a glance

Swansea University and University of Liverpool both teach 65 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Law and Sociology & Criminology. Swansea University offers 916 courses across 97 subject areas; University of Liverpool offers 793 courses across 94 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,550 a year at Swansea University and £32,000 at University of Liverpool: Swansea University is about £10,450 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,950 a year at Swansea University and £30,000 at University of Liverpool: Swansea University is about £7,050 a year cheaper.

Of the 41 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Liverpool is higher in 35 and Swansea University in 5, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Counselling & Psychotherapy: £19,500 three years after graduating from Swansea University, against £28,000 from University of Liverpool. Of the 40 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Swansea University is higher in 23 and University of Liverpool in 17.

World & National Rankings

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

#322
QS World
#139
#301
THE World
#143
#32
Guardian UK
#28
1920
Established
1881
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 Liverpool

86.1%
87.7%

Satisfaction

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

£31,800
£34,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

78.5%
79.9%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

14.1%
24.1%

International

International student share

916
793

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

5
2

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

Liverpool

93 countries · 24.1% international

  • 🇨🇳China40.6%
  • 🇮🇳India17.1%
  • 🌐Kuwait4.3%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia4%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.1%

Subjects

65 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 Liverpool

Also taught at both: English Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Philosophy, Civil Engineering, Chemistry, Biomedical Sciences, English Literature, General Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Psychology (General), Biology, Mechanical Engineering, Biochemistry, Health & Social Care, Accounting, Childhood & Youth Studies, Human Geography & Environment, English Language, Physical Geography & Climate, Social Policy & Public Policy, Biomedical Engineering, Ecology & Conservation, Geology & Earth Sciences, Marketing, Pharmacology, Environmental Sciences, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Computing & IT, Nursing (General), Software Engineering, Zoology & Animal Biology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Human Resource Management, Humanities, Medicine, Public Health & Epidemiology, Planning & Housing, Anatomy & Pathology, Clinical Specialities, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Geography (General), Information & Library Studies, Pharmacy, Clinical & Health Psychology, Design & Fashion, Information Systems & Data Science, Management, Biological Sciences (General), Heritage & Conservation.

Only at Swansea University

Only at University of Liverpool

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 Liverpool
£32,000

Swansea University is about £10,450 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Swansea University
£22,950
University of Liverpool
£30,000

Swansea University is about £7,050 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 Liverpool

  • Politics & International Relations

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    90%Satisfaction87%

  • Law

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    82%Satisfaction86%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    87%Satisfaction86%

  • Computer Science

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    84%Satisfaction77%

  • History

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    90%Satisfaction93%

  • Mathematics

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    86%Satisfaction82%

  • Archaeology

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    100%Satisfaction92%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    84%Satisfaction87%

  • Economics

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    90%Satisfaction86%

  • Physics

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    91%Satisfaction95%

  • Business Studies

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    82%Satisfaction83%

  • Classical Studies

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    95%Satisfaction93%

Showing the 12 largest of 41 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 Liverpool

Liverpool Advancement Scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

Postgraduate Opportunity Bursary

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Swansea University vs University of Liverpool: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,550 a year at Swansea University and £32,000 at University of Liverpool: Swansea University is about £10,450 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,950 a year at Swansea University and £30,000 at University of Liverpool: Swansea University is about £7,050 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 Liverpool?

Both universities teach 65 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Law, Sociology & Criminology, Computer Science, History, Mathematics, Business & Management (General), Archaeology, Media & Film Studies, Economics, Physics, Business Studies and 53 more.

Is Swansea University or University of Liverpool better for Politics & International Relations?

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £23,000 three years after graduating from Swansea University, and £23,500 from University of Liverpool. Student satisfaction with teaching is 90% at Swansea University and 87% at University of Liverpool. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Swansea University or University of Liverpool offer more courses?

Swansea University lists 916 courses on CourseOptions and University of Liverpool lists 793 courses.

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

Swansea University teaches 32 subject areas that University of Liverpool does not, including Teacher Training, Genetics & Genomics, Education Studies, American & Comparative Studies, Chemical Engineering, Medical Sciences, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Materials Engineering and 24 more.

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

University of Liverpool teaches 29 subject areas that Swansea University does not, including Music, Asian Languages & Studies, French, Italian, German & Scandinavian Studies, Spanish & Portuguese, Irish Studies, Architecture and 21 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 Liverpool793 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses