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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 Nottingham

Nottingham · QS World #97

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.

1/10

Swansea

scored higher in 1 category

VS

9/10

Nottingham

scored higher in 9 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Nottingham leads in 9 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary). Swansea University is ahead on courses.

Swansea University vs University of Nottingham at a glance

Swansea University and University of Nottingham both teach 75 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Electronic & Electrical Engineering and Health Sciences & Paramedic Science. Swansea University offers 916 courses across 97 subject areas; University of Nottingham offers 580 courses across 98 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,550 a year at Swansea University and £33,000 at University of Nottingham: Swansea University is about £11,450 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,950 a year at Swansea University and £30,800 at University of Nottingham: Swansea University is about £7,850 a year cheaper.

Of the 37 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Nottingham is higher in 36 and Swansea University in 1. The widest gap is in Law: £21,000 three years after graduating from Swansea University, against £34,000 from University of Nottingham. Of the 37 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Swansea University is higher in 22 and University of Nottingham in 13, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#322
QS World
#97
#301
THE World
#145
#32
Guardian UK
#21
1920
Established
1881
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 Nottingham

86.1%
86.6%

Satisfaction

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

£31,800
£40,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

78.5%
79.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

14.1%
21.1%

International

International student share

916
580

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

5
5

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

Nottingham

98 countries · 21.1% international

  • 🇨🇳China42.6%
  • 🇮🇳India9%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia4.4%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4%
  • 🇹🇷Turkey2.7%

Subjects

75 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 Nottingham

Also taught at both: Biomedical Sciences, Philosophy, Psychology (General), Childhood & Youth Studies, Business Studies, Mechanical Engineering, American & Comparative Studies, Human Geography & Environment, Genetics & Genomics, Health & Social Care, Aerospace Engineering, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Classical Studies, Education Studies, General Engineering, Archaeology, Linguistics, English Studies, Biology, Biotechnology, English Literature, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Building & Construction, Public Health & Epidemiology, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Accounting, Clinical Specialities, Pharmacology, Social Sciences (General), Environmental Sciences, Physical Geography & Climate, Social Policy & Public Policy, Biomedical Engineering, Ecology & Conservation, English Language, Zoology & Animal Biology, Management, Welsh Studies, Creative Writing, Pharmacy, Anatomy & Pathology, Applied Psychology, Design & Fashion, Marketing, Mental Health Nursing, Midwifery, Social Work, Theology & Religious Studies, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Geology & Earth Sciences, Human Resource Management, Adult Nursing, International Development, Information Systems & Data Science, Medicine, Clinical & Health Psychology, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Geography (General), Materials Science.

Only at Swansea University

Only at University of Nottingham

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 Nottingham
£33,000

Swansea University is about £11,450 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Swansea University
£22,950
University of Nottingham
£30,800

Swansea University is about £7,850 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 Nottingham

  • Computer Science

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£36,000
    84%Satisfaction79%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£35,500
    69%Satisfaction86%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    90%Satisfaction88%

  • Law

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£34,000
    82%Satisfaction89%

  • Economics

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£38,500
    90%Satisfaction83%

  • Physics

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    91%Satisfaction88%

  • Mathematics

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    86%Satisfaction81%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    87%Satisfaction90%

  • History

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    90%Satisfaction89%

  • Civil Engineering

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£31,500
    79%Satisfaction92%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    90%Satisfaction79%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    93%Satisfaction89%

Showing the 12 largest of 39 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 Nottingham

Taiwan Research Hub PhD Scholarship 2026/27

£11,000

Deadline: N/A

Molson Coors Award

50%

Deadline: N/A

The Witty Entrepreneurial Scholarship

£750

Deadline: N/A

Hillsborough Trust Memorial Bursary

£500

Deadline: N/A

PhD Scholarships

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Swansea University vs University of Nottingham: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,550 a year at Swansea University and £33,000 at University of Nottingham: Swansea University is about £11,450 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,950 a year at Swansea University and £30,800 at University of Nottingham: Swansea University is about £7,850 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 Nottingham?

Both universities teach 75 subject areas: Computer Science, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Politics & International Relations, Law, Business & Management (General), Economics, Physics, Mathematics, Sociology & Criminology, History, Civil Engineering and 63 more.

Is Swansea University or University of Nottingham better for Computer Science?

Computer Science graduates earn a median £31,500 three years after graduating from Swansea University, and £36,000 from University of Nottingham. Student satisfaction with teaching is 84% at Swansea University and 79% at University of Nottingham. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Swansea University or University of Nottingham offer more courses?

Swansea University lists 916 courses on CourseOptions and University of Nottingham lists 580 courses.

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

Swansea University teaches 22 subject areas that University of Nottingham does not, including Teacher Training, Medical Sciences, Materials Engineering, Journalism, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Combined & General Studies, Computing & IT, Healthcare Science and 14 more.

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

University of Nottingham teaches 23 subject areas that Swansea University does not, including Architecture, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Nutrition & Dietetics, Veterinary Medicine, Food Science, History of Art & Design, Music, Cultural Studies and 15 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 Nottingham580 courses · 5 scholarshipsBrowse Courses