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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 Nottingham

Nottingham · QS World #97

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

Nottingham

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, courses, scholarship). University of Nottingham is ahead on satisfaction, graduate salary.

The University of Edinburgh vs University of Nottingham at a glance

The University of Edinburgh and University of Nottingham both teach 85 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Electronic & Electrical Engineering and Law. The University of Edinburgh offers 936 courses across 116 subject areas; University of Nottingham offers 580 courses across 98 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,600 a year at The University of Edinburgh and £33,000 at University of Nottingham: The University of Edinburgh is about £3,400 a year cheaper.

Of the 34 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Nottingham is higher in 17 and The University of Edinburgh in 12, with 5 about level. The widest gap is in Law: £26,500 three years after graduating from The University of Edinburgh, against £34,000 from University of Nottingham. Of the 32 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Nottingham is higher in 21 and The University of Edinburgh in 6, with 5 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#35
QS World
#97
#29
THE World
#145
#17
Guardian UK
#21
1583
Established
1881
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 Nottingham

85.3%
86.6%

Satisfaction

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

£37,600
£40,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83%
79.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

41.6%
21.1%

International

International student share

936
580

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

112
5

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

Nottingham

98 countries · 21.1% international

  • 🇨🇳China42.6%
  • 🇮🇳India9%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia4.4%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4%
  • 🇹🇷Turkey2.7%

Subjects

85 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 Nottingham

Also taught at both: Psychology (General), Sociology & Criminology, Linguistics, Veterinary Medicine, Chemical Engineering, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Architecture, French, History of Art & Design, Media & Film Studies, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Design & Fashion, Human Geography & Environment, Chemistry, Clinical Specialities, Public Health & Epidemiology, Social Sciences (General), Biomedical Sciences, Archaeology, Childhood & Youth Studies, Eastern European Languages, Ecology & Conservation, Social Policy & Public Policy, Animal Science, Biotechnology, English Literature, Finance & Actuarial Science, Genetics & Genomics, Geology & Earth Sciences, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Music, Anatomy & Pathology, Business & Management (General), Education Studies, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Cultural Studies, Management, Building & Construction, Health & Social Care, Zoology & Animal Biology, Applied Psychology, Biochemistry, Environmental Sciences, International Development, Aerospace Engineering, Ancient Languages, General Engineering, Social Work, Creative Writing, Information Systems & Data Science, Counselling & Psychotherapy, English Language, Pharmacology, Physical Geography & Climate, Clinical & Health Psychology, Film Production & Cinematography, Mental Health Nursing, Statistics, Accounting, Biology, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Liberal Arts, Adult Nursing, Biomedical Engineering, Geography (General), Marketing, Polymer & Textiles Technology, Technology & Logistics.

Only at The University of Edinburgh

Only at University of Nottingham

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 Nottingham
£33,000

The University of Edinburgh is about £3,400 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

The University of Edinburgh
No data
University of Nottingham
£30,800

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 Nottingham

  • Computer Science

    £37,000Salary (3 years)£36,000
    74%Satisfaction79%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£35,500
    81%Satisfaction86%

  • Law

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£34,000
    86%Satisfaction89%

  • Physics

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    85%Satisfaction88%

  • Philosophy

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    88%Satisfaction93%

  • Mathematics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    81%Satisfaction81%

  • History

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    88%Satisfaction89%

  • Medicine

    £48,500Salary (3 years)£47,000
    80%Satisfaction86%

  • Civil Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£31,500
    87%Satisfaction92%

  • Classical Studies

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    92%Satisfaction88%

  • Economics

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£38,500
    81%Satisfaction83%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    87%Satisfaction88%

Showing the 12 largest of 34 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 Nottingham

Taiwan Research Hub PhD Scholarship 2026/27

£11,000

Deadline: N/A

Molson Coors Award

50%

Deadline: N/A

The Witty Entrepreneurial Scholarship

£750

Deadline: N/A

Hillsborough Trust Memorial Bursary

£500

Deadline: N/A

PhD Scholarships

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

The University of Edinburgh vs University of Nottingham: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,600 a year at The University of Edinburgh and £33,000 at University of Nottingham: The University of Edinburgh is about £3,400 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 Nottingham?

Both universities teach 85 subject areas: Computer Science, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Law, Theology & Religious Studies, Physics, Philosophy, Mathematics, History, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Medicine, Business Studies, Civil Engineering and 73 more.

Is The University of Edinburgh or University of Nottingham better for Computer Science?

Computer Science graduates earn a median £37,000 three years after graduating from The University of Edinburgh, and £36,000 from University of Nottingham. Student satisfaction with teaching is 74% at The University of Edinburgh and 79% at University of Nottingham. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

The University of Edinburgh lists 936 courses on CourseOptions and University of Nottingham lists 580 courses.

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

The University of Edinburgh teaches 31 subject areas that University of Nottingham does not, including German & Scandinavian Studies, Teacher Training, Spanish & Portuguese, Biological Sciences (General), Asian Languages & Studies, Italian, Celtic Studies, Agricultural Sciences and 23 more.

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

University of Nottingham teaches 13 subject areas that The University of Edinburgh does not, including English Studies, American & Comparative Studies, Nutrition & Dietetics, Food Science, Pharmacy, Natural Sciences, Applied & General Science, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation and 5 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 Nottingham580 courses · 5 scholarshipsBrowse Courses