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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 Plymouth

Plymouth · QS World #691

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.

6/10

Swansea

scored higher in 6 categories

VS

4/10

Plymouth

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

Swansea University leads in 6 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, international, graduate salary, courses). University of Plymouth is ahead on established, satisfaction, employment, scholarship.

Swansea University vs University of Plymouth at a glance

Swansea University and University of Plymouth both teach 58 subject areas, the largest being Law, Business & Management (General) and Computer Science. Swansea University offers 916 courses across 97 subject areas; University of Plymouth offers 310 courses across 78 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,550 a year at Swansea University and £19,200 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £2,350 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,950 a year at Swansea University and £19,500 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £3,450 a year cheaper.

Of the 38 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Swansea University is higher in 19 and University of Plymouth in 15, with 4 about level. The widest gap is in Complementary & Alternative Medicine: £19,500 three years after graduating from Swansea University, against £28,000 from University of Plymouth. Of the 38 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Plymouth is higher in 20 and Swansea University in 14, with 4 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#322
QS World
#691
#301
THE World
#501
#32
Guardian UK
#56
1920
Established
1862
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 Plymouth

86.1%
86.6%

Satisfaction

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

£31,800
£30,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

78.5%
84.2%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

14.1%
11.9%

International

International student share

916
310

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

5
10

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

Plymouth

71 countries · 11.9% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria14.6%
  • 🇨🇳China12.2%
  • 🇮🇳India11%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.7%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka3.3%

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 Plymouth

Also taught at both: Education Studies, Geology & Earth Sciences, Media & Film Studies, General Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Physical Geography & Climate, Ecology & Conservation, Human Geography & Environment, Medical Sciences, Chemistry, Childhood & Youth Studies, Biology, Accounting, Design & Fashion, English Studies, Environmental Sciences, Adult Nursing, Biomedical Engineering, Building & Construction, Marketing, Midwifery, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Creative Writing, Social Work, Zoology & Animal Biology, Human Resource Management, Management, Mental Health Nursing, Nursing (General), Software Engineering, Children's Nursing, Clinical & Health Psychology, Complementary & Alternative Medicine, Biological Sciences (General), Geography (General), Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Social Sciences (General), Anatomy & Pathology, Applied Psychology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Heritage & Conservation, Medicine.

Only at Swansea University

Only at University of Plymouth

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 Plymouth
£19,200

University of Plymouth is about £2,350 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Swansea University
£22,950
University of Plymouth
£19,500

University of Plymouth is about £3,450 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 Plymouth

  • Law

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£21,500
    82%Satisfaction84%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    No dataSatisfaction83%

  • Computer Science

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    84%Satisfaction72%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    90%Satisfaction86%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    87%Satisfaction83%

  • Economics

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    90%Satisfaction91%

  • Mathematics

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    86%Satisfaction86%

  • Health Sciences & Paramedic Science

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    97%Satisfaction95%

  • History

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£20,500
    90%Satisfaction94%

  • Civil Engineering

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    79%Satisfaction94%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    69%Satisfaction91%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    90%Satisfaction90%

Showing the 12 largest of 42 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 Plymouth

GREAT Scholarships

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

International Undergraduate Welcome to Plymouth Scholarship

£6,000

Deadline: N/A

Tamar Engineering Project

£4,500

Deadline: Jun 2026

International Postgraduate Welcome to Plymouth Scholarship

£4,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Swansea University vs University of Plymouth: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,550 a year at Swansea University and £19,200 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £2,350 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,950 a year at Swansea University and £19,500 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £3,450 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 Plymouth?

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

Is Swansea University or University of Plymouth better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £21,000 three years after graduating from Swansea University, and £21,500 from University of Plymouth. Student satisfaction with teaching is 82% at Swansea University and 84% at University of Plymouth. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Swansea University or University of Plymouth offer more courses?

Swansea University lists 916 courses on CourseOptions and University of Plymouth lists 310 courses.

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

Swansea University teaches 39 subject areas that University of Plymouth does not, including Physics, Teacher Training, Genetics & Genomics, American & Comparative Studies, Biochemistry, Classical Studies, English Literature, Aerospace Engineering and 31 more.

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

University of Plymouth teaches 20 subject areas that Swansea University does not, including Nutrition & Dietetics, Dentistry, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Marine Engineering & Technology, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Film Production & Cinematography, Statistics, Agriculture & Land Management and 12 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 Plymouth310 courses · 10 scholarshipsBrowse Courses