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Swansea · QS World #322
Sunderland · Guardian UK #86
Head-to-Head Summary
Based on 9 datapoints
We looked at 9 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.
5/9
Swansea
scored higher in 5 categories
4/9
Sunderland
scored higher in 4 categories
Quick Verdict
Swansea University leads in 5 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Sunderland is ahead on established, satisfaction, employment, international.
Swansea University vs University of Sunderland at a glance
Swansea University and University of Sunderland both teach 47 subject areas, the largest being Law, Computer Science and Business & Management (General). Swansea University offers 916 courses across 97 subject areas; University of Sunderland offers 193 courses across 56 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,550 a year at Swansea University and £17,500 at University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland is about £4,050 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,950 a year at Swansea University and £17,000 at University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland is about £5,950 a year cheaper.
Of the 31 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Swansea University is higher in 23 and University of Sunderland in 6, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Economics: £30,000 three years after graduating from Swansea University, against £18,500 from University of Sunderland. Of the 30 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Sunderland is higher in 19 and Swansea University in 10, with 1 about level.
World & National Rankings
Compare world and national league table positions, TEF ratings, and Russell Group membership.
Visual Breakdown
Key metrics at a glance
Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.
Swansea University
University of Sunderland
Satisfaction
Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)
Graduate Salaries (5y)
Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation
Employment
Graduate employment rate
International
International student share
Course Counts
Number of courses offered
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%
Sunderland
56 countries · 36.5% international
- 🌐Nepal29.5%
- 🇮🇳India17.7%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria16.6%
- 🇨🇳China7.3%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan6.9%
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 Sunderland
Law
40 coursesTypical fee £18,250 (UG)
12 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
Computer Science
37 coursesTypical fee £21,550 (UG)
7 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
Business & Management (General)
33 coursesTypical fee £20,600 (UG)
4 coursesTypical fee £16,500 (UG)
Sociology & Criminology
28 coursesTypical fee £20,050 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
Economics
27 coursesTypical fee £20,600 (UG)
1 courseFee not available
Finance & Actuarial Science
23 coursesTypical fee £20,600 (UG)
4 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
Business Studies
19 coursesTypical fee £20,600 (UG)
7 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
Health Sciences & Paramedic Science
24 coursesFee not available
2 coursesTypical fee £17,000 (PG)
Mathematics
25 coursesTypical fee £21,250 (UG)
1 courseTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
Teacher Training
23 coursesTypical fee £20,250 (UG)
3 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
Electronic & Electrical Engineering
19 coursesTypical fee £24,500 (UG)
5 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
Media & Film Studies
17 coursesTypical fee £18,550 (PG)
7 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
Education Studies
17 coursesTypical fee £19,950 (UG)
3 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
Psychology (General)
15 coursesTypical fee £20,550 (UG)
5 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
Biochemistry
14 coursesTypical fee £23,900 (UG)
4 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
Also taught at both: Biomedical Sciences, Chemical Engineering, Childhood & Youth Studies, General Engineering, Health & Social Care, Mechanical Engineering, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Chemistry, Accounting, Journalism, English Studies, Marketing, Design & Fashion, Geology & Earth Sciences, Nursing (General), Social Work, Human Resource Management, Software Engineering, Healthcare Science, Midwifery, Adult Nursing, Applied Psychology, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Mental Health Nursing, Pharmacy, Clinical & Health Psychology, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Management, Social Sciences (General), Children's Nursing, Medicine, Public Relations.
Only at Swansea University
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 Sunderland
- £17,500
University of Sunderland is about £4,050 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Swansea University
- £22,950
- University of Sunderland
- £17,000
University of Sunderland is about £5,950 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 Sunderland
Law
£21,000Salary (3 years)£19,00082%Satisfaction95%Computer Science
£31,500Salary (3 years)£25,50084%Satisfaction78%Business & Management (General)
£25,000Salary (3 years)£20,000No dataSatisfaction92%Sociology & Criminology
£24,500Salary (3 years)£18,50087%Satisfaction87%Economics
£30,000Salary (3 years)£18,50090%Satisfaction89%Finance & Actuarial Science
£25,000Salary (3 years)£20,00090%Satisfaction85%Business Studies
£25,500Salary (3 years)£20,00082%Satisfaction91%Health Sciences & Paramedic Science
£20,500Salary (3 years)£29,00097%Satisfaction84%Teacher Training
No dataSalary (3 years)£26,00089%Satisfaction80%Electronic & Electrical Engineering
£30,000Salary (3 years)£26,50069%Satisfaction76%Media & Film Studies
£20,000Salary (3 years)£18,00084%Satisfaction93%Education Studies
No dataSalary (3 years)£25,00090%Satisfaction84%
Showing the 12 largest of 34 shared subjects with published outcomes.
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveSwansea 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
University of Sunderland
View all scholarships →FAQ
Swansea University vs University of Sunderland: common questions
Is Swansea University or University of Sunderland cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,550 a year at Swansea University and £17,500 at University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland is about £4,050 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,950 a year at Swansea University and £17,000 at University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland is about £5,950 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 Sunderland?
Both universities teach 47 subject areas: Law, Computer Science, Business & Management (General), Sociology & Criminology, Economics, Finance & Actuarial Science, Business Studies, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Mathematics, Teacher Training, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Media & Film Studies and 35 more.
Is Swansea University or University of Sunderland better for Law?
Law graduates earn a median £21,000 three years after graduating from Swansea University, and £19,000 from University of Sunderland. Student satisfaction with teaching is 82% at Swansea University and 95% at University of Sunderland. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Swansea University or University of Sunderland offer more courses?
Swansea University lists 916 courses on CourseOptions and University of Sunderland lists 193 courses.
What can you study at Swansea University but not at University of Sunderland?
Swansea University teaches 50 subject areas that University of Sunderland does not, including Politics & International Relations, History, Physics, Civil Engineering, Genetics & Genomics, American & Comparative Studies, Medical Sciences, Classical Studies and 42 more.
What can you study at University of Sunderland but not at Swansea University?
University of Sunderland teaches 9 subject areas that Swansea University does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Film Production & Cinematography, Fine Art, Performing Arts (General), Agriculture & Land Management, Applied & General Science, Games Design & Computer Animation, Music and 1 more.
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