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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 St Andrews

St Andrews · QS World #115

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

St Andrews

scored higher in 9 categories

Quick Verdict

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

Swansea University vs University of St Andrews at a glance

Swansea University and University of St Andrews both teach 45 subject areas, the largest being History, Classical Studies and Economics. Swansea University offers 916 courses across 97 subject areas; University of St Andrews offers 1,157 courses across 64 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,550 a year at Swansea University and £30,160 at University of St Andrews: Swansea University is about £8,610 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,950 a year at Swansea University and £27,200 at University of St Andrews: Swansea University is about £4,250 a year cheaper.

Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of St Andrews is higher in 21 and Swansea University in 1. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £31,500 three years after graduating from Swansea University, against £51,500 from University of St Andrews. Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of St Andrews is higher in 17 and Swansea University in 2, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#322
QS World
#115
#301
THE World
#162
#32
Guardian UK
#3
1920
Established
1413
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 St Andrews

86.1%
93.2%

Satisfaction

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

£31,800
£40,000

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

78.5%
74.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

14.1%
46.1%

International

International student share

916
1157

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

5
62

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

St Andrews

89 countries · 46.1% international

  • 🇺🇸United States42.3%
  • 🇨🇳China9%
  • 🇩🇪Germany4%
  • 🇮🇳India4%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong3.2%

Subjects

45 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 St Andrews

Also taught at both: Physics, Psychology (General), Chemistry, Geography (General), Philosophy, Education Studies, Business Studies, Biomedical Sciences, Biochemistry, Physical Geography & Climate, Childhood & Youth Studies, English Literature, Human Geography & Environment, Management, Ecology & Conservation, Geology & Earth Sciences, Medicine, Combined & General Studies, Environmental Sciences, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Creative Writing, Zoology & Animal Biology, Information & Library Studies, Marketing, Computing & IT, Humanities, Materials Science, Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Heritage & Conservation.

Only at Swansea University

Only at University of St Andrews

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 St Andrews
£30,160

Swansea University is about £8,610 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Swansea University
£22,950
University of St Andrews
£27,200

Swansea University is about £4,250 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 St Andrews

  • History

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£28,500
    90%Satisfaction97%

  • Classical Studies

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    95%Satisfaction97%

  • Economics

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£39,000
    90%Satisfaction93%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    90%Satisfaction95%

  • Mathematics

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£36,500
    86%Satisfaction94%

  • Computer Science

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£51,500
    84%Satisfaction93%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £20,000Salary (3 years)No data
    84%Satisfaction95%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£37,500
    No dataSatisfaction84%

  • English Studies

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    No dataSatisfaction92%

  • Biology

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    84%Satisfaction96%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£34,000
    87%SatisfactionNo data

  • Physics

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    91%Satisfaction98%

Showing the 12 largest of 23 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 St Andrews

Applied Environmental Sciences MSc Awards - Women in Mining (WIM) UK

100%

Deadline: Jun 2026

Environmental Science MSc Awards - The Cunningham Scholarship UK

100%

Deadline: Jun 2026

Masters funding in Digital Health and Care

£10,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

School of Modern Languages Masters Scholarship

100%

Deadline: May 2026

University of Jordan Postgraduate Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Swansea University vs University of St Andrews: common questions

Is Swansea University or University of St Andrews cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,550 a year at Swansea University and £30,160 at University of St Andrews: Swansea University is about £8,610 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,950 a year at Swansea University and £27,200 at University of St Andrews: Swansea University is about £4,250 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 St Andrews?

Both universities teach 45 subject areas: History, Classical Studies, Economics, Politics & International Relations, Mathematics, Computer Science, Media & Film Studies, Law, Teacher Training, Business & Management (General), English Studies, Biology and 33 more.

Is Swansea University or University of St Andrews better for History?

History graduates earn a median £21,500 three years after graduating from Swansea University, and £28,500 from University of St Andrews. Student satisfaction with teaching is 90% at Swansea University and 97% at University of St Andrews. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Swansea University or University of St Andrews offer more courses?

University of St Andrews lists 1,157 courses on CourseOptions and Swansea University lists 916 courses.

What can you study at Swansea University but not at University of St Andrews?

Swansea University teaches 52 subject areas that University of St Andrews does not, including Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Civil Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Genetics & Genomics, American & Comparative Studies, Chemical Engineering, General Engineering, Medical Sciences and 44 more.

What can you study at University of St Andrews but not at Swansea University?

University of St Andrews teaches 19 subject areas that Swansea University does not, including African & Middle Eastern Studies, French, German & Scandinavian Studies, Italian, Ancient Languages, History of Art & Design, Eastern European Languages, Spanish & Portuguese 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 St Andrews1,157 courses · 62 scholarshipsBrowse Courses