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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 South Wales

Pontypridd · QS World #1201

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

South Wales

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 South Wales is ahead on satisfaction, employment.

The University of Edinburgh vs University of South Wales at a glance

The University of Edinburgh and University of South Wales both teach 51 subject areas, the largest being Law, Computer Science and Teacher Training. The University of Edinburgh offers 936 courses across 116 subject areas; University of South Wales offers 331 courses across 63 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,600 a year at The University of Edinburgh and £16,200 at University of South Wales: University of South Wales is about £13,400 a year cheaper.

Of the 23 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, The University of Edinburgh is higher in 20 and University of South Wales in 2, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £37,000 three years after graduating from The University of Edinburgh, against £19,500 from University of South Wales. Of the 24 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of South Wales is higher in 17 and The University of Edinburgh in 7.

World & National Rankings

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

#35
QS World
#1201
#29
THE World
#1201
#17
Guardian UK
#83
1583
Established
1913
Yes
Russell Group
No
—
TEF Rating
—

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 South Wales

85.3%
86.7%

Satisfaction

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

£37,600
£27,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83%
84.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

41.6%
22%

International

International student share

936
331

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

112
23

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

South Wales

71 countries · 22% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria17.6%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh16.6%
  • 🇮🇳India16.1%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan15.7%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka6.6%

Subjects

51 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 South Wales

Also taught at both: Aerospace Engineering, Film Production & Cinematography, Media & Film Studies, Music, Building & Construction, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Social Policy & Public Policy, Chemistry, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Animal Science, Politics & International Relations, Social Sciences (General), Human Geography & Environment, Public Health & Epidemiology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biomedical Sciences, Mechanical Engineering, Social Work, Software Engineering, Childhood & Youth Studies, Creative Arts (General), Finance & Actuarial Science, Information Systems & Data Science, Management, Marketing, Accounting, Community & Specialist Nursing, General Engineering, Health & Social Care, Biology, Drama & Theatre, Medical Sciences, Operational Research, Statistics, Veterinary Sciences & Nursing, Crafts & Applied Arts.

Only at The University of Edinburgh

Only at University of South Wales

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 South Wales
£16,200

University of South Wales is about £13,400 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

The University of Edinburgh
No data
University of South Wales
£17,900

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 South Wales

  • Law

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£20,000
    86%Satisfaction96%

  • Computer Science

    £37,000Salary (3 years)£19,500
    74%Satisfaction90%

  • Teacher Training

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    92%Satisfaction97%

  • Psychology (General)

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    83%Satisfaction90%

  • Business Studies

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
    80%Satisfaction91%

  • Design & Fashion

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    90%Satisfaction88%

  • History

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£19,500
    88%Satisfaction95%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    81%Satisfaction94%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    92%Satisfaction87%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£20,500
    82%Satisfaction83%

  • Civil Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    87%Satisfaction83%

  • Film Production & Cinematography

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£18,000
    72%Satisfaction87%

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 South Wales

USW Postgraduate Refugee Sanctuary Scheme

100%

Deadline: N/A

USW Postgraduate Sanctuary Scholarship 2026/2027

100%

Deadline: Jul 2026

USW Postgraduate Sanctuary Scholarship 2027/2028

100%

Deadline: Jul 2027

USW Refugee Sanctuary Scheme

100%

Deadline: N/A

Undergraduate Sanctuary Scholarship 2026/2027

100%

Deadline: Jul 2026

View all scholarships →

FAQ

The University of Edinburgh vs University of South Wales: common questions

Is The University of Edinburgh or University of South Wales cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,600 a year at The University of Edinburgh and £16,200 at University of South Wales: University of South Wales is about £13,400 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 South Wales?

Both universities teach 51 subject areas: Law, Computer Science, Teacher Training, Psychology (General), Business Studies, Design & Fashion, Healthcare Science, History, Business & Management (General), Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Sociology & Criminology and 39 more.

Is The University of Edinburgh or University of South Wales better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £26,500 three years after graduating from The University of Edinburgh, and £20,000 from University of South Wales. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at The University of Edinburgh and 96% at University of South Wales. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does The University of Edinburgh or University of South Wales offer more courses?

The University of Edinburgh lists 936 courses on CourseOptions and University of South Wales lists 331 courses.

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

The University of Edinburgh teaches 65 subject areas that University of South Wales does not, including Theology & Religious Studies, German & Scandinavian Studies, Medicine, Mathematics, Physics, French, Philosophy, African & Middle Eastern Studies and 57 more.

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

University of South Wales teaches 12 subject areas that The University of Edinburgh does not, including Forensic Science, Games Design & Computer Animation, Applied Computing, Complementary & Alternative Medicine, Human Resource Management, Journalism, Midwifery, Specialist Clinical Nursing and 4 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 South Wales331 courses · 23 scholarshipsBrowse Courses