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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 Leeds

Leeds · QS World #77

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.

8/10

Edinburgh

scored higher in 8 categories

VS

2/10

Leeds

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

The University of Edinburgh leads in 8 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, established, employment, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Leeds is ahead on ranking, satisfaction.

The University of Edinburgh vs University of Leeds at a glance

The University of Edinburgh and University of Leeds both teach 91 subject areas, the largest being Law, Computer Science and Physics. The University of Edinburgh offers 936 courses across 116 subject areas; University of Leeds offers 579 courses across 110 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,600 a year at The University of Edinburgh and £33,700 at University of Leeds: The University of Edinburgh is about £4,100 a year cheaper.

Of the 50 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, The University of Edinburgh is higher in 30 and University of Leeds in 14, with 6 about level. The widest gap is in Microbiology & Cell Biology: £26,000 three years after graduating from The University of Edinburgh, against £35,000 from University of Leeds. Of the 50 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Leeds is higher in 24 and The University of Edinburgh in 22, with 4 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#35
QS World
#77
#29
THE World
#118
#17
Guardian UK
#15
1583
Established
1904
Yes
Russell Group
Yes
—
TEF Rating
Silver

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 Leeds

85.3%
85.7%

Satisfaction

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

£37,600
£37,200

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83%
82.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

41.6%
31.5%

International

International student share

936
579

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

112
13

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

Leeds

105 countries · 31.5% international

  • 🇨🇳China49.5%
  • 🇮🇳India9.6%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.9%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.4%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.8%

Subjects

91 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 Leeds

Also taught at both: Teacher Training, Politics & International Relations, Economics, Asian Languages & Studies, Biological Sciences (General), Education Studies, Music, Geology & Earth Sciences, Media & Film Studies, African & Middle Eastern Studies, French, Spanish & Portuguese, Classical Studies, History of Art & Design, Linguistics, Social Policy & Public Policy, Ecology & Conservation, English Literature, Eastern European Languages, Genetics & Genomics, Human Geography & Environment, Ancient Languages, Management, Psychology (General), Italian, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Public Health & Epidemiology, Zoology & Animal Biology, Architecture, Personal & Professional Development, Agricultural Sciences, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biomedical Sciences, Chemical Engineering, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Cultural Studies, Social Sciences (General), Anatomy & Pathology, Business & Management (General), Drama & Theatre, Environmental Sciences, Finance & Actuarial Science, Information Systems & Data Science, International Development, Mechanical Engineering, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Biomedical Engineering, General Engineering, Marketing, Medical Sciences, Social Work, Aerospace Engineering, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Physical Geography & Climate, Statistics, Film Production & Cinematography, Health & Social Care, Applied Psychology, Biology, Childhood & Youth Studies, Clinical & Health Psychology, Creative Writing, English Language, GIS & Remote Sensing, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Humanities, Pharmacology, Polymer & Textiles Technology, Adult Nursing, Healthcare Science, Liberal Arts, Mental Health Nursing, Software Engineering.

Only at The University of Edinburgh

Only at University of Leeds

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 Leeds
£33,700

The University of Edinburgh is about £4,100 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

The University of Edinburgh
No data
University of Leeds
£31,500

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 Leeds

  • Law

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    86%Satisfaction87%

  • Computer Science

    £37,000Salary (3 years)£42,000
    74%Satisfaction79%

  • Physics

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    85%Satisfaction89%

  • Civil Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    87%Satisfaction89%

  • Theology & Religious Studies

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    94%Satisfaction83%

  • Business Studies

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£36,000
    80%Satisfaction84%

  • Mathematics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£31,500
    81%Satisfaction83%

  • History

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    88%Satisfaction94%

  • Philosophy

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    88%Satisfaction85%

  • German & Scandinavian Studies

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    82%Satisfaction93%

  • Design & Fashion

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    90%Satisfaction87%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    82%Satisfaction82%

Showing the 12 largest of 51 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 Leeds

Gazan Humanitarian Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Gazan Humanitarian Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Global Community Bursary

£10,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

Sanctuary Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

The University of Edinburgh vs University of Leeds: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,600 a year at The University of Edinburgh and £33,700 at University of Leeds: The University of Edinburgh is about £4,100 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 Leeds?

Both universities teach 91 subject areas: Law, Computer Science, Physics, Civil Engineering, Theology & Religious Studies, Business Studies, Mathematics, History, Philosophy, German & Scandinavian Studies, Design & Fashion, Sociology & Criminology and 79 more.

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

Law graduates earn a median £26,500 three years after graduating from The University of Edinburgh, and £26,000 from University of Leeds. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at The University of Edinburgh and 87% at University of Leeds. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

The University of Edinburgh lists 936 courses on CourseOptions and University of Leeds lists 579 courses.

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

The University of Edinburgh teaches 25 subject areas that University of Leeds does not, including Veterinary Medicine, Animal Science, Celtic Studies, Clinical Specialities, Anthropology, Archaeology, Creative Arts (General), Landscape Architecture & Design and 17 more.

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

University of Leeds teaches 19 subject areas that The University of Edinburgh does not, including Medical Imaging, English Studies, Natural Sciences, Nutrition & Dietetics, Dentistry, Food Science, Human Resource Management, Materials Engineering and 11 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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The University of Edinburgh936 courses · 112 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Leeds579 courses · 13 scholarshipsBrowse Courses