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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 Glasgow

Glasgow · QS World #80

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.

6/10

Edinburgh

scored higher in 6 categories

VS

4/10

Glasgow

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

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

The University of Edinburgh vs University of Glasgow at a glance

The University of Edinburgh and University of Glasgow both teach 86 subject areas, the largest being History, Law and Mathematics. The University of Edinburgh offers 936 courses across 116 subject areas; University of Glasgow offers 1,022 courses across 97 subject areas.

Of the 49 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, The University of Edinburgh is higher in 38 and University of Glasgow in 8, with 3 about level. The widest gap is in Biomedical Sciences: £29,000 three years after graduating from The University of Edinburgh, against £22,500 from University of Glasgow. Of the 48 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Glasgow is higher in 30 and The University of Edinburgh in 14, with 4 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#35
QS World
#80
#29
THE World
#84
#17
Guardian UK
#12
1583
Established
1451
Yes
Russell Group
Yes
—
TEF Rating
—

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 Glasgow

85.3%
86.1%

Satisfaction

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

£37,600
£36,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83%
81.9%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

41.6%
35.9%

International

International student share

936
1022

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

112
4

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

Glasgow

121 countries · 35.9% international

  • 🇨🇳China51.9%
  • 🇺🇸United States7.4%
  • 🇮🇳India7%
  • 🌐Kuwait1.7%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong1.5%

Subjects

86 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 Glasgow

Also taught at both: English Literature, Economics, History of Art & Design, French, Information Systems & Data Science, Sociology & Criminology, Celtic Studies, Medicine, Social Policy & Public Policy, Education Studies, Business Studies, Music, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Chemistry, English Language, Archaeology, Ancient Languages, Human Geography & Environment, Italian, Public Health & Epidemiology, Veterinary Medicine, Civil Engineering, Design & Fashion, Ecology & Conservation, Finance & Actuarial Science, Geology & Earth Sciences, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Media & Film Studies, Anatomy & Pathology, Animal Science, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Genetics & Genomics, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, Linguistics, Mechanical Engineering, Statistics, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Clinical Specialities, Drama & Theatre, Accounting, Software Engineering, Health & Social Care, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Environmental Sciences, GIS & Remote Sensing, Social Sciences (General), Aerospace Engineering, Business & Management (General), Creative Arts (General), International Development, Medical Sciences, Clinical & Health Psychology, Creative Writing, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Nursing (General), Veterinary Sciences & Nursing, Zoology & Animal Biology, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Childhood & Youth Studies, Computing & IT, Film Production & Cinematography, Applied Biology & Human Biology, Geography (General), Building & Construction, Marketing, Pharmacology, Mental Health Nursing.

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 Glasgow
No data

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

Postgraduate

The University of Edinburgh
No data
University of Glasgow
£15,160

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 Glasgow

  • History

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    88%Satisfaction90%
  • Law

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    86%Satisfaction86%
  • Mathematics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    81%Satisfaction82%
  • Spanish & Portuguese

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    81%Satisfaction83%
  • Theology & Religious Studies

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    94%Satisfaction97%
  • Computer Science

    £37,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    74%Satisfaction85%
  • Physics

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    85%Satisfaction83%
  • Teacher Training

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    92%Satisfaction92%
  • Classical Studies

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    92%Satisfaction86%
  • Eastern European Languages

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    95%Satisfaction86%
  • Psychology (General)

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    83%Satisfaction91%
  • German & Scandinavian Studies

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    82%Satisfaction92%

Showing the 12 largest of 50 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 Glasgow

Minerva Scholarships

£22,000

Deadline: N/A

Excellence Bursaries

100%

Deadline: N/A

Travel Bursaries

£50

Deadline: N/A

School of Computing Science postgraduate research excellence bursaries

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

The University of Edinburgh vs University of Glasgow: common questions

What subjects can you study at both The University of Edinburgh and University of Glasgow?

Both universities teach 86 subject areas: History, Law, Mathematics, Spanish & Portuguese, Theology & Religious Studies, Computer Science, Physics, Teacher Training, Classical Studies, Eastern European Languages, Management, Psychology (General) and 74 more.

Is The University of Edinburgh or University of Glasgow better for History?

History graduates earn a median £28,000 three years after graduating from The University of Edinburgh, and £23,500 from University of Glasgow. Student satisfaction with teaching is 88% at The University of Edinburgh and 90% at University of Glasgow. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Glasgow lists 1,022 courses on CourseOptions and The University of Edinburgh lists 936 courses.

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

The University of Edinburgh teaches 30 subject areas that University of Glasgow does not, including African & Middle Eastern Studies, Biological Sciences (General), Asian Languages & Studies, Architecture, Agricultural Sciences, Anthropology, Cultural Studies, Social Work and 22 more.

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

University of Glasgow teaches 11 subject areas that The University of Edinburgh does not, including Scottish Gaelic, Information & Library Studies, Planning & Housing, Dentistry, Forensic Science, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Agriculture & Land Management, British Sign Language & Scots and 3 more.

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