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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 Southampton

Southampton · QS World #111

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.

1/11

Swansea

scored higher in 1 category

VS

10/11

Southampton

scored higher in 10 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Southampton leads in 10 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary, scholarship). Swansea University is ahead on courses.

Swansea University vs University of Southampton at a glance

Swansea University and University of Southampton both teach 72 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Electronic & Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. Swansea University offers 916 courses across 97 subject areas; University of Southampton offers 545 courses across 91 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,550 a year at Swansea University and £26,000 at University of Southampton: Swansea University is about £4,450 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,950 a year at Swansea University and £31,200 at University of Southampton: Swansea University is about £8,250 a year cheaper.

Of the 44 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Southampton is higher in 40 and Swansea University in 3, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £31,500 three years after graduating from Swansea University, against £47,000 from University of Southampton. Of the 43 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Swansea University is higher in 23 and University of Southampton in 19, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#322
QS World
#111
#301
THE World
#129
#32
Guardian UK
#16
1920
Established
1862
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 Southampton

86.1%
87%

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%
82.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

14.1%
35.1%

International

International student share

916
545

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

5
52

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

Southampton

103 countries · 35.1% international

  • 🇨🇳China63.5%
  • 🇮🇳India4.8%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia2.8%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia2.6%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.5%

Subjects

72 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 Southampton

Also taught at both: Aerospace Engineering, Business Studies, Chemical Engineering, Teacher Training, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, English Literature, Education Studies, Archaeology, Biomedical Sciences, Psychology (General), Chemistry, Geology & Earth Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Accounting, Biochemistry, Philosophy, Health & Social Care, Biology, Social Policy & Public Policy, Design & Fashion, Human Geography & Environment, Marketing, Physical Geography & Climate, Biomedical Engineering, Software Engineering, Ecology & Conservation, English Language, English Studies, Healthcare Science, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Pharmacology, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Building & Construction, Community & Specialist Nursing, Nursing (General), Zoology & Animal Biology, Adult Nursing, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Management, Children's Nursing, Clinical & Health Psychology, Clinical Specialities, Computing & IT, Creative Writing, Human Resource Management, Humanities, Midwifery, Information & Library Studies, Medicine, Mental Health Nursing, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Heritage & Conservation, Information Systems & Data Science, Social Sciences (General), Applied Psychology, Biological Sciences (General), International Development.

Only at Swansea University

Only at University of Southampton

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 Southampton
£26,000

Swansea University is about £4,450 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Swansea University
£22,950
University of Southampton
£31,200

Swansea University is about £8,250 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 Southampton

  • Business & Management (General)

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£31,500
    No dataSatisfaction80%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£40,500
    69%Satisfaction89%

  • Computer Science

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£47,000
    84%Satisfaction80%

  • General Engineering

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£34,500
    85%Satisfaction90%

  • Law

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    82%Satisfaction87%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£39,500
    90%Satisfaction84%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    90%Satisfaction85%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    87%Satisfaction86%

  • Physics

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    91%Satisfaction87%

  • Economics

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£34,000
    90%Satisfaction85%

  • History

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    90%Satisfaction91%

  • Civil Engineering

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    79%Satisfaction93%

Showing the 12 largest of 45 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 Southampton

Horizon Europe fee waiver

100%

Deadline: N/A

Cowrie Foundation Scholarship

£8,000

Deadline: N/A

Xiamen University PhD Scholarships

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sociology Criminology International Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Southampton Ageing & Gerontology Talent Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Swansea University vs University of Southampton: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,550 a year at Swansea University and £26,000 at University of Southampton: Swansea University is about £4,450 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,950 a year at Swansea University and £31,200 at University of Southampton: Swansea University is about £8,250 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 Southampton?

Both universities teach 72 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, General Engineering, Law, Finance & Actuarial Science, Politics & International Relations, Sociology & Criminology, Physics, Economics, History, Civil Engineering and 60 more.

Is Swansea University or University of Southampton better for Business & Management (General)?

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £25,000 three years after graduating from Swansea University, and £31,500 from University of Southampton. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Swansea University or University of Southampton offer more courses?

Swansea University lists 916 courses on CourseOptions and University of Southampton lists 545 courses.

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

Swansea University teaches 25 subject areas that University of Southampton does not, including Genetics & Genomics, American & Comparative Studies, Medical Sciences, Classical Studies, Childhood & Youth Studies, Materials Engineering, Welsh Studies, Linguistics and 17 more.

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

University of Southampton teaches 19 subject areas that Swansea University does not, including Ancient Languages, Marine Engineering & Technology, Music, Statistics, Operational Research, Anthropology, Applied Computing, Fine Art and 11 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 Southampton545 courses · 52 scholarshipsBrowse Courses