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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 the West of Scotland

Paisley · Guardian UK #115

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

West of Scotland

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 the West of Scotland is ahead on satisfaction.

The University of Edinburgh vs University of the West of Scotland at a glance

The University of Edinburgh and University of the West of Scotland both teach 43 subject areas, the largest being Law, Teacher Training and Business Studies. The University of Edinburgh offers 936 courses across 116 subject areas; University of the West of Scotland offers 119 courses across 49 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,600 a year at The University of Edinburgh and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £14,100 a year cheaper.

Of the 19 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, The University of Edinburgh is higher in 17 and University of the West of Scotland in 1, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Business Studies: £31,000 three years after graduating from The University of Edinburgh, against £21,000 from University of the West of Scotland. Of the 15 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of the West of Scotland is higher in 8 and The University of Edinburgh in 5, 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
#601
#17
Guardian UK
#115
1583
Established
1897
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 the West of Scotland

85.3%
89%

Satisfaction

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

£37,600
£31,134.9

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83%
81.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

41.6%
30.3%

International

International student share

936
119

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

West of Scotland

33 countries · 30.3% international

  • 🇵🇰Pakistan36.2%
  • 🌐Nepal20.4%
  • 🇮🇳India19.3%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria7.4%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh5.3%

Subjects

43 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 the West of Scotland

Also taught at both: Public Health & Epidemiology, Social Sciences (General), Sport & Exercise Sciences, Human Geography & Environment, Social Work, Computing & IT, Cultural Studies, Applied Psychology, Biomedical Sciences, Creative Arts (General), Zoology & Animal Biology, Business & Management (General), Environmental Sciences, Accounting, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Childhood & Youth Studies, English Language, Health & Social Care, Mechanical Engineering, Nursing (General), Aerospace Engineering, Community & Specialist Nursing, Adult Nursing, Biology, Healthcare Science, Marketing, Mental Health Nursing, Technology & Logistics.

Only at The University of Edinburgh

Only at University of the West of Scotland

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 the West of Scotland
£15,500

University of the West of Scotland is about £14,100 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

The University of Edinburgh
No data
University of the West of Scotland
£16,280

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 the West of Scotland

  • Law

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    86%SatisfactionNo data

  • Teacher Training

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    92%Satisfaction94%

  • Business Studies

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    80%Satisfaction75%

  • Physics

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    85%Satisfaction95%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    82%SatisfactionNo data

  • Design & Fashion

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£17,500
    90%Satisfaction91%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    81%Satisfaction80%

  • Chemistry

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    89%Satisfaction95%

  • General Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    83%Satisfaction92%

  • Music

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£18,500
    89%Satisfaction90%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    92%Satisfaction91%

  • Social Work

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    88%Satisfaction88%

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 the West of Scotland

View all scholarships →

FAQ

The University of Edinburgh vs University of the West of Scotland: common questions

Is The University of Edinburgh or University of the West of Scotland cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,600 a year at The University of Edinburgh and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £14,100 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 the West of Scotland?

Both universities teach 43 subject areas: Law, Teacher Training, Business Studies, Physics, Mathematics, Sociology & Criminology, Design & Fashion, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Chemistry, Education Studies, Politics & International Relations, Psychology (General) and 31 more.

Is The University of Edinburgh or University of the West of Scotland better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £26,500 three years after graduating from The University of Edinburgh, and £21,000 from University of the West of Scotland. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does The University of Edinburgh or University of the West of Scotland offer more courses?

The University of Edinburgh lists 936 courses on CourseOptions and University of the West of Scotland lists 119 courses.

What can you study at The University of Edinburgh but not at University of the West of Scotland?

The University of Edinburgh teaches 73 subject areas that University of the West of Scotland does not, including Computer Science, Theology & Religious Studies, German & Scandinavian Studies, Medicine, History, French, Philosophy, African & Middle Eastern Studies and 65 more.

What can you study at University of the West of Scotland but not at The University of Edinburgh?

University of the West of Scotland teaches 6 subject areas that The University of Edinburgh does not, including Applied Computing, Business Information Systems, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Journalism, Forensic Science and Midwifery.

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 the West of Scotland119 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses