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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 Sunderland

Sunderland · Guardian UK #86

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.

9/10

Edinburgh

scored higher in 9 categories

VS

1/10

Sunderland

scored higher in 1 category

Quick Verdict

The University of Edinburgh leads in 9 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, employment, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Sunderland is ahead on satisfaction.

The University of Edinburgh vs University of Sunderland at a glance

The University of Edinburgh and University of Sunderland both teach 42 subject areas, the largest being Law, Computer Science and Business Studies. The University of Edinburgh offers 936 courses across 116 subject areas; University of Sunderland offers 193 courses across 56 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,600 a year at The University of Edinburgh and £17,500 at University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland is about £12,100 a year cheaper.

Of the 19 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, The University of Edinburgh is higher in 18 and University of Sunderland in 1. The widest gap is in Economics: £38,000 three years after graduating from The University of Edinburgh, against £18,500 from University of Sunderland. Of the 19 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Sunderland is higher in 14 and The University of Edinburgh in 3, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#35
QS World
—
#29
THE World
#1501
#17
Guardian UK
#86
1583
Established
1901
Yes
Russell Group
No
—
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 Sunderland

85.3%
89.8%

Satisfaction

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

£37,600
£24,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83%
81.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

41.6%
36.5%

International

International student share

936
193

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

112
0

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

Sunderland

56 countries · 36.5% international

  • 🌐Nepal29.5%
  • 🇮🇳India17.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria16.6%
  • 🇨🇳China7.3%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan6.9%

Subjects

42 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 Sunderland

Also taught at both: Economics, Film Production & Cinematography, Music, Social Work, Biochemistry, Business & Management (General), Finance & Actuarial Science, Social Sciences (General), Biomedical Sciences, Nursing (General), Applied Psychology, Counselling & Psychotherapy, General Engineering, Health & Social Care, Management, Marketing, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Childhood & Youth Studies, Clinical & Health Psychology, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Software Engineering, Accounting, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Healthcare Science, Adult Nursing, Mental Health Nursing.

Only at The University of Edinburgh

Only at University of Sunderland

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 Sunderland
£17,500

University of Sunderland is about £12,100 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

The University of Edinburgh
No data
University of Sunderland
£17,000

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 Sunderland

  • Law

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£19,000
    86%Satisfaction95%

  • Computer Science

    £37,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    74%Satisfaction78%

  • Business Studies

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    80%Satisfaction91%

  • Teacher Training

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    92%Satisfaction80%

  • Design & Fashion

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£17,000
    90%Satisfaction90%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    81%Satisfaction76%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£18,500
    82%Satisfaction87%

  • Psychology (General)

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£19,000
    83%Satisfaction88%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    92%Satisfaction86%

  • Chemistry

    £29,000Salary (3 years)No data
    89%Satisfaction89%

  • Economics

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£18,500
    81%Satisfaction89%

  • Film Production & Cinematography

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£17,000
    72%Satisfaction89%

Showing the 12 largest of 20 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 Sunderland

View all scholarships →

FAQ

The University of Edinburgh vs University of Sunderland: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,600 a year at The University of Edinburgh and £17,500 at University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland is about £12,100 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 Sunderland?

Both universities teach 42 subject areas: Law, Computer Science, Business Studies, Teacher Training, Medicine, Mathematics, Design & Fashion, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Sociology & Criminology, Geology & Earth Sciences, Psychology (General), Media & Film Studies and 30 more.

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

Law graduates earn a median £26,500 three years after graduating from The University of Edinburgh, and £19,000 from University of Sunderland. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at The University of Edinburgh and 95% at University of Sunderland. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

The University of Edinburgh lists 936 courses on CourseOptions and University of Sunderland lists 193 courses.

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

The University of Edinburgh teaches 74 subject areas that University of Sunderland does not, including Theology & Religious Studies, German & Scandinavian Studies, History, Physics, French, Philosophy, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Classical Studies and 66 more.

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

University of Sunderland teaches 14 subject areas that The University of Edinburgh does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Journalism, Fine Art, Performing Arts (General), English Studies, Human Resource Management, Agriculture & Land Management, Applied & General Science and 6 more.

Ready to explore courses?

Browse available courses, check entry requirements, and find scholarships at each university.

T
The University of Edinburgh936 courses · 112 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Sunderland193 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses