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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 the West of Scotland

Paisley · Guardian UK #115

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

VS

4/9

West of Scotland

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 the West of Scotland is ahead on established, satisfaction, employment, international.

Swansea University vs University of the West of Scotland at a glance

Swansea University and University of the West of Scotland both teach 41 subject areas, the largest being Law, Politics & International Relations and Business & Management (General). Swansea University offers 916 courses across 97 subject areas; University of the West of Scotland offers 119 courses across 49 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,550 a year at Swansea University and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £6,050 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,950 a year at Swansea University and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £6,670 a year cheaper.

Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Swansea University is higher in 14 and University of the West of Scotland in 6, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Midwifery: £24,000 three years after graduating from Swansea University, against £31,500 from University of the West of Scotland. Of the 21 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of the West of Scotland is higher in 14 and Swansea University in 7.

World & National Rankings

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

#322
QS World
—
#301
THE World
#601
#32
Guardian UK
#115
1920
Established
1897
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 the West of Scotland

86.1%
89%

Satisfaction

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

£31,800
£31,134.9

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

78.5%
81.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

14.1%
30.3%

International

International student share

916
119

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

5
0

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

West of Scotland

33 countries · 30.3% international

  • 🇵🇰Pakistan36.2%
  • 🌐Nepal20.4%
  • 🇮🇳India19.3%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria7.4%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh5.3%

Subjects

41 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 the West of Scotland

Also taught at both: Chemistry, Childhood & Youth Studies, Aerospace Engineering, Health & Social Care, Accounting, Biology, Mechanical Engineering, Human Geography & Environment, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Computing & IT, English Language, Environmental Sciences, Social Work, Journalism, Zoology & Animal Biology, Marketing, Applied Psychology, Community & Specialist Nursing, Healthcare Science, Midwifery, Nursing (General), Public Health & Epidemiology, Social Sciences (General), Adult Nursing, Design & Fashion, Mental Health Nursing.

Only at Swansea University

Only at University of the West of Scotland

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 the West of Scotland
£15,500

University of the West of Scotland is about £6,050 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Swansea University
£22,950
University of the West of Scotland
£16,280

University of the West of Scotland is about £6,670 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 the West of Scotland

  • Law

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    82%SatisfactionNo data

  • Teacher Training

    No dataSalary (3 years)£32,000
    89%Satisfaction94%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    87%SatisfactionNo data

  • Business Studies

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    82%Satisfaction75%

  • Health Sciences & Paramedic Science

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    97%Satisfaction99%

  • Physics

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    91%Satisfaction95%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    69%Satisfaction80%

  • General Engineering

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    85%Satisfaction92%

  • Education Studies

    No dataSalary (3 years)No data
    90%Satisfaction96%

  • Chemistry

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    99%Satisfaction95%

  • Childhood & Youth Studies

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    75%Satisfaction92%

  • Aerospace Engineering

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    85%Satisfaction100%

Showing the 12 largest of 25 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 the West of Scotland

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Swansea University vs University of the West of Scotland: common questions

Is Swansea University or University of the West of Scotland cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,550 a year at Swansea University and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £6,050 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,950 a year at Swansea University and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £6,670 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 the West of Scotland?

Both universities teach 41 subject areas: Law, Politics & International Relations, Business & Management (General), Teacher Training, Sociology & Criminology, Business Studies, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Mathematics, Physics, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, General Engineering, Media & Film Studies and 29 more.

Is Swansea University or University of the West of Scotland better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £21,000 three years after graduating from Swansea University, and £21,000 from University of the West of Scotland. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Swansea University or University of the West of Scotland offer more courses?

Swansea University lists 916 courses on CourseOptions and University of the West of Scotland lists 119 courses.

What can you study at Swansea University but not at University of the West of Scotland?

Swansea University teaches 56 subject areas that University of the West of Scotland does not, including Computer Science, Economics, History, Finance & Actuarial Science, Civil Engineering, Genetics & Genomics, American & Comparative Studies, Chemical Engineering and 48 more.

What can you study at University of the West of Scotland but not at Swansea University?

University of the West of Scotland teaches 8 subject areas that Swansea University does not, including Applied Computing, Business Information Systems, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Music, Creative Arts (General), Cultural Studies, Forensic Science and Technology & Logistics.

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 the West of Scotland119 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses