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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.

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The University of Edinburgh

Edinburgh · QS World #35

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University of Plymouth

Plymouth · QS World #691

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.

9/11

Edinburgh

scored higher in 9 categories

VS

2/11

Plymouth

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

The University of Edinburgh leads in 9 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Plymouth is ahead on satisfaction, employment.

The University of Edinburgh vs University of Plymouth at a glance

The University of Edinburgh and University of Plymouth both teach 61 subject areas, the largest being Law, Computer Science and Business Studies. The University of Edinburgh offers 936 courses across 116 subject areas; University of Plymouth offers 310 courses across 78 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,600 a year at The University of Edinburgh and £19,200 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £10,400 a year cheaper.

Of the 32 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, The University of Edinburgh is higher in 31 and University of Plymouth in 1. The widest gap is in Economics: £38,000 three years after graduating from The University of Edinburgh, against £24,500 from University of Plymouth. Of the 29 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Plymouth is higher in 17 and The University of Edinburgh in 11, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#35
QS World
#691
#29
THE World
#501
#17
Guardian UK
#56
1583
Established
1862
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 Plymouth

85.3%
86.6%

Satisfaction

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

£37,600
£30,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83%
84.2%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

41.6%
11.9%

International

International student share

936
310

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

112
10

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

Plymouth

71 countries · 11.9% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria14.6%
  • 🇨🇳China12.2%
  • 🇮🇳India11%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.7%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka3.3%

Subjects

61 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 Plymouth

Also taught at both: Politics & International Relations, Biomedical Sciences, Education Studies, Chemistry, Economics, Human Geography & Environment, Architecture, Physical Geography & Climate, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Anthropology, Environmental Sciences, Management, Media & Film Studies, Music, Adult Nursing, Anatomy & Pathology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Creative Arts (General), Mechanical Engineering, Social Sciences (General), Social Work, Film Production & Cinematography, Finance & Actuarial Science, General Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Statistics, Zoology & Animal Biology, Building & Construction, Clinical & Health Psychology, Creative Writing, Chemical Engineering, Medical Sciences, Nursing (General), Accounting, Applied Psychology, Marketing, Mental Health Nursing, Software Engineering, Childhood & Youth Studies, Geography (General), Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Technology & Logistics, Biology, Biomedical Engineering, Drama & Theatre, Heritage & Conservation.

Only at The University of Edinburgh

Only at University of Plymouth

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 Plymouth
£19,200

University of Plymouth is about £10,400 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

The University of Edinburgh
No data
University of Plymouth
£19,500

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 Plymouth

  • Law

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£21,500
    86%Satisfaction84%

  • Computer Science

    £37,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    74%Satisfaction72%

  • Business Studies

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    80%Satisfaction74%

  • Geology & Earth Sciences

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    88%Satisfaction91%

  • Mathematics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    81%Satisfaction86%

  • History

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    88%Satisfaction94%

  • Medicine

    £48,500Salary (3 years)£48,000
    80%Satisfaction79%

  • Design & Fashion

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    90%Satisfaction77%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    81%Satisfaction91%

  • Psychology (General)

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£21,500
    83%Satisfaction84%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    82%Satisfaction83%

  • Ecology & Conservation

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    88%Satisfaction94%

Showing the 12 largest of 32 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 Plymouth

GREAT Scholarships

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

International Undergraduate Welcome to Plymouth Scholarship

£6,000

Deadline: N/A

Tamar Engineering Project

£4,500

Deadline: Jun 2026

International Postgraduate Welcome to Plymouth Scholarship

£4,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

The University of Edinburgh vs University of Plymouth: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,600 a year at The University of Edinburgh and £19,200 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £10,400 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 Plymouth?

Both universities teach 61 subject areas: Law, Computer Science, Business Studies, Geology & Earth Sciences, Mathematics, History, Medicine, Design & Fashion, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Psychology (General), Sociology & Criminology, Ecology & Conservation and 49 more.

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

Law graduates earn a median £26,500 three years after graduating from The University of Edinburgh, and £21,500 from University of Plymouth. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at The University of Edinburgh and 84% at University of Plymouth. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

The University of Edinburgh lists 936 courses on CourseOptions and University of Plymouth lists 310 courses.

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

The University of Edinburgh teaches 55 subject areas that University of Plymouth does not, including Theology & Religious Studies, German & Scandinavian Studies, Teacher Training, Physics, French, Philosophy, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Classical Studies and 47 more.

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

University of Plymouth teaches 17 subject areas that The University of Edinburgh does not, including Nutrition & Dietetics, Dentistry, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Marine Engineering & Technology, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, English Studies, Children's Nursing, Midwifery and 9 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 Plymouth310 courses · 10 scholarshipsBrowse Courses