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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

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University of Leicester

Leicester · QS World #314

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 11 datapoints

We looked at 11 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

10/11

Edinburgh

scored higher in 10 categories

VS

1/11

Leicester

scored higher in 1 category

Quick Verdict

The University of Edinburgh leads in 10 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, employment, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Leicester is ahead on satisfaction.

The University of Edinburgh vs University of Leicester at a glance

The University of Edinburgh and University of Leicester both teach 58 subject areas, the largest being Law, Computer Science and Biological Sciences (General). The University of Edinburgh offers 936 courses across 116 subject areas; University of Leicester offers 351 courses across 72 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,600 a year at The University of Edinburgh and £25,100 at University of Leicester: University of Leicester is about £4,500 a year cheaper.

Of the 24 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, The University of Edinburgh is higher in 21 and University of Leicester in 3. The widest gap is in Economics: £38,000 three years after graduating from The University of Edinburgh, against £29,500 from University of Leicester. Of the 23 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Leicester is higher in 14 and The University of Edinburgh in 6, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#35
QS World
#314
#29
THE World
#192
#17
Guardian UK
#30
1583
Established
1921
Yes
Russell Group
No
—
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 Leicester

85.3%
86.2%

Satisfaction

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

£37,600
£35,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83%
79%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

41.6%
19.3%

International

International student share

936
351

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

112
28

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

Leicester

81 countries · 19.3% international

  • 🇮🇳India36.3%
  • 🇨🇦Canada14.8%
  • 🇨🇳China9.4%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria5.9%
  • 🇦🇪United Arab Emirates1.9%

Subjects

58 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 Leicester

Also taught at both: Media & Film Studies, Psychology (General), Economics, History of Art & Design, Ancient Languages, English Literature, General Engineering, Genetics & Genomics, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Childhood & Youth Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Linguistics, Archaeology, Human Geography & Environment, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Aerospace Engineering, Anatomy & Pathology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Cultural Studies, Social Sciences (General), Astronomy & Astrophysics, Biomedical Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Management, Applied Psychology, Environmental Sciences, Physical Geography & Climate, Biochemistry, Health & Social Care, Marketing, Medical Sciences, Software Engineering, Accounting, Biotechnology, Creative Writing, Film Production & Cinematography, Geography (General), Statistics, Adult Nursing, Humanities, Minerals & Mining Technology.

Only at The University of Edinburgh

Only at University of Leicester

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 Leicester
£25,100

University of Leicester is about £4,500 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.

The University of Edinburgh

University of Leicester

  • Law

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    86%Satisfaction85%

  • Computer Science

    £37,000Salary (3 years)£36,000
    74%Satisfaction83%

  • Biological Sciences (General)

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    87%Satisfaction90%

  • History

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    88%Satisfaction94%

  • Mathematics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    81%Satisfaction79%

  • Physics

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    85%Satisfaction90%

  • Medicine

    £48,500Salary (3 years)£48,000
    80%Satisfaction94%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    82%Satisfaction82%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    87%Satisfaction92%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    81%Satisfaction83%

  • Classical Studies

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    92%Satisfaction99%

  • Chemistry

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    89%Satisfaction96%

Showing the 12 largest of 24 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 Leicester

International Undergraduate Tuition Fee Waiver

100%

Deadline: N/A

ULSB International Deans Scholarship

£8,000

Deadline: N/A

Leicester-King Power Thai Scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

International Postgraduate Taught Merit Scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

International Undergraduate Merit Scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

The University of Edinburgh vs University of Leicester: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,600 a year at The University of Edinburgh and £25,100 at University of Leicester: University of Leicester is about £4,500 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 Leicester?

Both universities teach 58 subject areas: Law, Computer Science, Biological Sciences (General), History, Mathematics, Physics, Medicine, Sociology & Criminology, Politics & International Relations, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Business Studies, Business & Management (General) and 46 more.

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

Law graduates earn a median £26,500 three years after graduating from The University of Edinburgh, and £25,000 from University of Leicester. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at The University of Edinburgh and 85% at University of Leicester. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

The University of Edinburgh lists 936 courses on CourseOptions and University of Leicester lists 351 courses.

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

The University of Edinburgh teaches 58 subject areas that University of Leicester does not, including Theology & Religious Studies, German & Scandinavian Studies, Teacher Training, French, Philosophy, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Spanish & Portuguese, Veterinary Medicine and 50 more.

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

University of Leicester teaches 14 subject areas that The University of Edinburgh does not, including Journalism, English Studies, Information & Library Studies, Applied Computing, Human Resource Management, Business Information Systems, Children's Nursing, Forensic Science and 6 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
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University of Leicester351 courses · 28 scholarshipsBrowse Courses