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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 South Wales

Pontypridd · 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

South Wales

scored higher in 5 categories

Quick Verdict

Swansea University and University of South Wales 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 South Wales on established, satisfaction, employment, international, scholarship.

Swansea University vs University of South Wales at a glance

Swansea University and University of South Wales both teach 47 subject areas, the largest being Law, Business & Management (General) and Computer Science. Swansea University offers 916 courses across 97 subject areas; University of South Wales offers 331 courses across 63 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,550 a year at Swansea University and £16,200 at University of South Wales: University of South Wales is about £5,350 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,950 a year at Swansea University and £17,900 at University of South Wales: University of South Wales is about £5,050 a year cheaper.

Of the 29 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Swansea University is higher in 22 and University of South Wales in 6, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £31,500 three years after graduating from Swansea University, against £19,500 from University of South Wales. Of the 32 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of South Wales is higher in 18 and Swansea University in 10, with 4 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
#1201
#32
Guardian UK
#83
1920
Established
1913
No
Russell Group
No
—
TEF Rating
—

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.

Swansea University

University of South Wales

86.1%
86.7%

Satisfaction

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

£31,800
£27,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

78.5%
84.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

14.1%
22%

International

International student share

916
331

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

5
23

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

South Wales

71 countries · 22% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria17.6%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh16.6%
  • 🇮🇳India16.1%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan15.7%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka6.6%

Subjects

47 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 South Wales

Also taught at both: Media & Film Studies, Education Studies, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, Childhood & Youth Studies, Mechanical Engineering, Biology, General Engineering, Health & Social Care, Nursing (General), Building & Construction, Medical Sciences, Accounting, Chemistry, Design & Fashion, Human Geography & Environment, Marketing, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Software Engineering, Social Policy & Public Policy, Community & Specialist Nursing, English Studies, Journalism, Social Work, Human Resource Management, Midwifery, Social Sciences (General), Information Systems & Data Science, Management, Public Health & Epidemiology, Complementary & Alternative Medicine, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning.

Only at Swansea University

Only at University of South Wales

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 South Wales
£16,200

University of South Wales is about £5,350 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Swansea University
£22,950
University of South Wales
£17,900

University of South Wales is about £5,050 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 South Wales

  • Law

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    82%Satisfaction96%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
    No dataSatisfaction94%

  • Computer Science

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    84%Satisfaction90%

  • Psychology (General)

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    84%Satisfaction90%

  • Teacher Training

    No dataSalary (3 years)£25,000
    89%Satisfaction97%

  • Health Sciences & Paramedic Science

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    97%Satisfaction97%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£20,500
    87%Satisfaction83%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
    90%Satisfaction90%

  • History

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    90%Satisfaction95%

  • Aerospace Engineering

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    85%Satisfaction89%

  • Civil Engineering

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    79%Satisfaction83%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    69%Satisfaction94%

Showing the 12 largest of 33 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 South Wales

USW Postgraduate Refugee Sanctuary Scheme

100%

Deadline: N/A

USW Postgraduate Sanctuary Scholarship 2026/2027

100%

Deadline: Jul 2026

USW Postgraduate Sanctuary Scholarship 2027/2028

100%

Deadline: Jul 2027

USW Refugee Sanctuary Scheme

100%

Deadline: N/A

Undergraduate Sanctuary Scholarship 2026/2027

100%

Deadline: Jul 2026

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Swansea University vs University of South Wales: common questions

Is Swansea University or University of South Wales cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,550 a year at Swansea University and £16,200 at University of South Wales: University of South Wales is about £5,350 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,950 a year at Swansea University and £17,900 at University of South Wales: University of South Wales is about £5,050 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 South Wales?

Both universities teach 47 subject areas: Law, Business & Management (General), Computer Science, Politics & International Relations, Psychology (General), Teacher Training, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Sociology & Criminology, Healthcare Science, Finance & Actuarial Science, History, Aerospace Engineering and 35 more.

Is Swansea University or University of South Wales better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £21,000 three years after graduating from Swansea University, and £20,000 from University of South Wales. Student satisfaction with teaching is 82% at Swansea University and 96% at University of South Wales. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Swansea University or University of South Wales offer more courses?

Swansea University lists 916 courses on CourseOptions and University of South Wales lists 331 courses.

What can you study at Swansea University but not at University of South Wales?

Swansea University teaches 50 subject areas that University of South Wales does not, including Economics, Mathematics, Physics, Genetics & Genomics, American & Comparative Studies, Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry, Classical Studies and 42 more.

What can you study at University of South Wales but not at Swansea University?

University of South Wales teaches 16 subject areas that Swansea University does not, including Film Production & Cinematography, Forensic Science, Music, Drama & Theatre, Games Design & Computer Animation, Applied Computing, Specialist Clinical Nursing, Animal Science 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 South Wales331 courses · 23 scholarshipsBrowse Courses