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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 Southampton

Southampton · QS World #111

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

Southampton

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

The University of Edinburgh vs University of Southampton at a glance

The University of Edinburgh and University of Southampton both teach 79 subject areas, the largest being Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Law and Computer Science. The University of Edinburgh offers 936 courses across 116 subject areas; University of Southampton offers 545 courses across 91 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,600 a year at The University of Edinburgh and £26,000 at University of Southampton: University of Southampton is about £3,600 a year cheaper.

Of the 38 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Southampton is higher in 21 and The University of Edinburgh in 12, with 5 about level. The widest gap is in Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning: £33,500 three years after graduating from The University of Edinburgh, against £47,000 from University of Southampton. Of the 37 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Southampton is higher in 20 and The University of Edinburgh in 14, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#35
QS World
#111
#29
THE World
#129
#17
Guardian UK
#16
1583
Established
1862
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 Southampton

85.3%
87%

Satisfaction

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

£37,600
£37,200

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83%
82.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

41.6%
35.1%

International

International student share

936
545

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

112
52

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

Southampton

103 countries · 35.1% international

  • 🇨🇳China63.5%
  • 🇮🇳India4.8%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia2.8%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia2.6%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.5%

Subjects

79 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 Southampton

Also taught at both: Finance & Actuarial Science, Civil Engineering, English Literature, Mechanical Engineering, Media & Film Studies, Archaeology, Economics, Chemistry, Social Policy & Public Policy, Ancient Languages, Biological Sciences (General), Education Studies, Politics & International Relations, Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Psychology (General), Music, Ecology & Conservation, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Clinical Specialities, Architecture, Human Geography & Environment, Accounting, Anthropology, Biomedical Sciences, Management, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Marketing, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Cultural Studies, Social Sciences (General), Software Engineering, Biochemistry, Clinical & Health Psychology, Creative Arts (General), Operational Research, Physical Geography & Climate, Statistics, Zoology & Animal Biology, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Health & Social Care, Healthcare Science, Information Systems & Data Science, International Development, Nursing (General), Building & Construction, Community & Specialist Nursing, English Language, Adult Nursing, Applied Psychology, Biology, Biomedical Engineering, Computing & IT, Creative Writing, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Heritage & Conservation, Humanities, Pharmacology, Liberal Arts, Mental Health Nursing, Personal & Professional Development, Technology & Logistics.

Only at The University of Edinburgh

Only at University of Southampton

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 Southampton
£26,000

University of Southampton is about £3,600 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

The University of Edinburgh
No data
University of Southampton
£31,200

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 Southampton

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£40,500
    81%Satisfaction89%

  • Law

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£28,500
    86%Satisfaction87%

  • Computer Science

    £37,000Salary (3 years)£47,000
    74%Satisfaction80%

  • General Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£34,500
    83%Satisfaction90%

  • Physics

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    85%Satisfaction87%

  • History

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    88%Satisfaction91%

  • Mathematics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    81%Satisfaction81%

  • Business Studies

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£31,500
    80%Satisfaction66%

  • Medicine

    £48,500Salary (3 years)£48,000
    80%Satisfaction84%

  • Geology & Earth Sciences

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    88%Satisfaction89%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    82%Satisfaction86%

  • Design & Fashion

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£21,500
    90%Satisfaction89%

Showing the 12 largest of 38 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 Southampton

Horizon Europe fee waiver

100%

Deadline: N/A

Cowrie Foundation Scholarship

£8,000

Deadline: N/A

Xiamen University PhD Scholarships

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sociology Criminology International Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Southampton Ageing & Gerontology Talent Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

The University of Edinburgh vs University of Southampton: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,600 a year at The University of Edinburgh and £26,000 at University of Southampton: University of Southampton is about £3,600 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 Southampton?

Both universities teach 79 subject areas: Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Law, Computer Science, General Engineering, Physics, History, Mathematics, Business Studies, Medicine, Geology & Earth Sciences, Teacher Training, Business & Management (General) and 67 more.

Is The University of Edinburgh or University of Southampton better for Electronic & Electrical Engineering?

Electronic & Electrical Engineering graduates earn a median £34,000 three years after graduating from The University of Edinburgh, and £40,500 from University of Southampton. Student satisfaction with teaching is 81% at The University of Edinburgh and 89% at University of Southampton. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

The University of Edinburgh lists 936 courses on CourseOptions and University of Southampton lists 545 courses.

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

The University of Edinburgh teaches 37 subject areas that University of Southampton does not, including Theology & Religious Studies, German & Scandinavian Studies, French, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Classical Studies, Spanish & Portuguese, Veterinary Medicine, Asian Languages & Studies and 29 more.

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

University of Southampton teaches 12 subject areas that The University of Edinburgh does not, including Marine Engineering & Technology, Children's Nursing, Applied Computing, English Studies, Fine Art, Business Information Systems, Games Design & Computer Animation, Human Resource Management 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
U
University of Southampton545 courses · 52 scholarshipsBrowse Courses