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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.

T
The University of Edinburgh

Edinburgh · QS World #35

U
University of Cambridge

Cambridge · QS World #6

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.

4/10

Edinburgh

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

6/10

Cambridge

scored higher in 6 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Cambridge leads in 6 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, graduate salary). The University of Edinburgh is ahead on employment, international, courses, scholarship.

The University of Edinburgh vs University of Cambridge at a glance

The University of Edinburgh and University of Cambridge both teach 69 subject areas, the largest being Law, Computer Science and Theology & Religious Studies. The University of Edinburgh offers 936 courses across 116 subject areas; University of Cambridge offers 336 courses across 79 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,600 a year at The University of Edinburgh and £32,890 at University of Cambridge: The University of Edinburgh is about £3,290 a year cheaper.

Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Cambridge is higher in 21 and The University of Edinburgh in 1. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £37,000 three years after graduating from The University of Edinburgh, against £63,500 from University of Cambridge. Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Cambridge is higher in 17 and The University of Edinburgh in 2, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#35
QS World
#6
#29
THE World
#3
#17
Guardian UK
#2
1583
Established
1209
Yes
Russell Group
Yes
—
TEF Rating
Gold

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

The University of Edinburgh

University of Cambridge

85.3%
92.1%

Satisfaction

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

£37,600
£49,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83%
76.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

41.6%
32.2%

International

International student share

936
336

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

112
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.

Edinburgh

122 countries · 41.6% international

  • 🇨🇳China44.5%
  • 🇺🇸United States9.3%
  • 🇮🇳India5.4%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia2.7%
  • 🇨🇦Canada2.4%
VS

Cambridge

96 countries · 32.2% international

  • 🇨🇳China28.2%
  • 🇺🇸United States10.3%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore6.6%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5.3%
  • 🇮🇳India4.7%

Subjects

69 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.

The University of Edinburgh

University of Cambridge

Also taught at both: Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Economics, History of Art & Design, Politics & International Relations, Eastern European Languages, Genetics & Genomics, Architecture, Biomedical Sciences, General Engineering, Psychology (General), Clinical Specialities, Social Policy & Public Policy, Archaeology, Celtic Studies, Education Studies, Geology & Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Environment, Linguistics, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Chemistry, Anatomy & Pathology, Animal Science, Childhood & Youth Studies, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Media & Film Studies, Music, Business & Management (General), Civil Engineering, Anthropology, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Management, Ancient Languages, Chemical Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Biology, Creative Writing, Information Systems & Data Science, International Development, Landscape Architecture & Design, Zoology & Animal Biology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Building & Construction, Clinical & Health Psychology, Computing & IT, Geography (General), Statistics, Health & Social Care, Humanities, Software Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Heritage & Conservation, Pharmacology, Technology & Logistics.

Only at The University of Edinburgh

Only at University of Cambridge

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

The University of Edinburgh
£29,600
University of Cambridge
£32,890

The University of Edinburgh is about £3,290 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

The University of Edinburgh
No data
University of Cambridge
£41,300

We do not have reliable international fee data for The University of Edinburgh yet.

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.

The University of Edinburgh

University of Cambridge

  • Law

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£49,000
    86%Satisfaction96%

  • Computer Science

    £37,000Salary (3 years)£63,500
    74%Satisfaction94%

  • Theology & Religious Studies

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£31,500
    94%Satisfaction94%

  • Biological Sciences (General)

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£35,000
    87%Satisfaction91%

  • History

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    88%Satisfaction95%

  • Mathematics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£44,500
    81%Satisfaction94%

  • Medicine

    £48,500Salary (3 years)£47,500
    80%Satisfaction85%

  • Asian Languages & Studies

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    78%Satisfaction94%

  • Philosophy

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    88%Satisfaction93%

  • Classical Studies

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    92%Satisfaction96%

  • Veterinary Medicine

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£36,000
    95%Satisfaction98%

  • Economics

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£59,500
    81%Satisfaction86%

Showing the 12 largest of 22 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

The University of Edinburgh

Asylum Seeker Scholarship

£21,000

Deadline: N/A

Education Beyond Borders postgraduate scholarship

£20,780

Deadline: N/A

Cameron Law Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Online Learning Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Rosedale OSSD University of Edinburgh Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

University of Cambridge

View all scholarships →

FAQ

The University of Edinburgh vs University of Cambridge: common questions

Is The University of Edinburgh or University of Cambridge cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,600 a year at The University of Edinburgh and £32,890 at University of Cambridge: The University of Edinburgh is about £3,290 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 The University of Edinburgh and University of Cambridge?

Both universities teach 69 subject areas: Law, Computer Science, Theology & Religious Studies, Biological Sciences (General), History, Mathematics, Medicine, Physics, Asian Languages & Studies, Philosophy, Sociology & Criminology, Business Studies and 57 more.

Is The University of Edinburgh or University of Cambridge better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £26,500 three years after graduating from The University of Edinburgh, and £49,000 from University of Cambridge. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at The University of Edinburgh and 96% at University of Cambridge. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does The University of Edinburgh or University of Cambridge offer more courses?

The University of Edinburgh lists 936 courses on CourseOptions and University of Cambridge lists 336 courses.

What can you study at The University of Edinburgh but not at University of Cambridge?

The University of Edinburgh teaches 47 subject areas that University of Cambridge does not, including German & Scandinavian Studies, Teacher Training, French, Spanish & Portuguese, Design & Fashion, Ecology & Conservation, English Literature, Italian and 39 more.

What can you study at University of Cambridge but not at The University of Edinburgh?

University of Cambridge teaches 10 subject areas that The University of Edinburgh does not, including English Studies, Materials Science, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Planning & Housing, American & Comparative Studies, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Dentistry, Information & Library Studies and 2 more.

Ready to explore courses?

Browse available courses, check entry requirements, and find scholarships at each university.

T
The University of Edinburgh936 courses · 112 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Cambridge336 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses