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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 Portsmouth

Portsmouth · QS World #662

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

Portsmouth

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 Portsmouth is ahead on satisfaction, employment.

The University of Edinburgh vs University of Portsmouth at a glance

The University of Edinburgh and University of Portsmouth both teach 70 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Law and Sociology & Criminology. The University of Edinburgh offers 936 courses across 116 subject areas; University of Portsmouth offers 446 courses across 84 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,600 a year at The University of Edinburgh and £17,900 at University of Portsmouth: University of Portsmouth is about £11,700 a year cheaper.

Of the 37 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, The University of Edinburgh is higher in 29 and University of Portsmouth in 6, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £37,000 three years after graduating from The University of Edinburgh, against £25,500 from University of Portsmouth. Of the 36 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Portsmouth is higher in 24 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
#662
#29
THE World
#401
#17
Guardian UK
#55
1583
Established
1869
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 Portsmouth

85.3%
86.9%

Satisfaction

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

£37,600
£32,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83%
84.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

41.6%
24.5%

International

International student share

936
446

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

Portsmouth

96 countries · 24.5% international

  • 🇮🇳India22.1%
  • 🇨🇳China11.6%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria7.8%
  • 🌐Kuwait7.1%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan5.6%

Subjects

70 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 Portsmouth

Also taught at both: English Literature, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Architecture, Building & Construction, Business & Management (General), General Engineering, Psychology (General), Civil Engineering, Linguistics, Ecology & Conservation, Media & Film Studies, Accounting, Geology & Earth Sciences, Ancient Languages, Mechanical Engineering, Music, Film Production & Cinematography, Public Health & Epidemiology, Marketing, Social Sciences (General), Social Work, Biomedical Sciences, Childhood & Youth Studies, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Finance & Actuarial Science, Human Geography & Environment, International Development, Anatomy & Pathology, Creative Writing, English Language, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Creative Arts (General), Environmental Sciences, Applied Psychology, Information Systems & Data Science, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, Computing & IT, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Nursing (General), Operational Research, Physical Geography & Climate, Adult Nursing, Biotechnology, Clinical & Health Psychology, Combined & General Studies, Mental Health Nursing, Software Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Drama & Theatre, Biology, GIS & Remote Sensing, Healthcare Science, Pharmacology.

Only at The University of Edinburgh

Only at University of Portsmouth

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 Portsmouth
£17,900

University of Portsmouth is about £11,700 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

The University of Edinburgh
No data
University of Portsmouth
£18,600

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 Portsmouth

  • Computer Science

    £37,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    74%Satisfaction82%

  • Law

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    86%Satisfaction88%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    82%Satisfaction87%

  • Business Studies

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    80%Satisfaction85%

  • Teacher Training

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    92%Satisfaction68%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    81%Satisfaction84%

  • Design & Fashion

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£21,500
    90%Satisfaction83%

  • History

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    88%Satisfaction90%

  • Mathematics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    81%Satisfaction87%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    87%Satisfaction87%

  • Physics

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    85%Satisfaction97%

  • Economics

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    81%Satisfaction85%

Showing the 12 largest of 37 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 Portsmouth

Portsmouth Football Club Partnership Scholarship

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

Estée Lauder Companies - Whitman Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Portsmouth Football Club Partnership Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Language Bursary

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

The University of Edinburgh vs University of Portsmouth: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,600 a year at The University of Edinburgh and £17,900 at University of Portsmouth: University of Portsmouth is about £11,700 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 Portsmouth?

Both universities teach 70 subject areas: Computer Science, Law, Sociology & Criminology, Business Studies, Teacher Training, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Design & Fashion, History, Mathematics, Politics & International Relations, Education Studies, Physics and 58 more.

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

Computer Science graduates earn a median £37,000 three years after graduating from The University of Edinburgh, and £25,500 from University of Portsmouth. Student satisfaction with teaching is 74% at The University of Edinburgh and 82% at University of Portsmouth. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

The University of Edinburgh lists 936 courses on CourseOptions and University of Portsmouth lists 446 courses.

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

The University of Edinburgh teaches 46 subject areas that University of Portsmouth does not, including Theology & Religious Studies, German & Scandinavian Studies, Medicine, French, Philosophy, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Classical Studies, Spanish & Portuguese and 38 more.

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

University of Portsmouth teaches 14 subject areas that The University of Edinburgh does not, including Games Design & Computer Animation, Human Resource Management, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Journalism, Applied Computing, Dentistry, Applied & General Science, Dental Nursing 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 Portsmouth446 courses · 5 scholarshipsBrowse Courses