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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.

U
UCL (University College London)

Camden · QS World #8

U
University of Cambridge

Cambridge · QS World #6

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.

4/11

UCL (University College London)

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

7/11

Cambridge

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Cambridge leads in 7 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, TEF, established, satisfaction, graduate salary). UCL (University College London) is ahead on employment, international, courses, scholarship.

UCL (University College London) vs University of Cambridge at a glance

UCL (University College London) and University of Cambridge both teach 70 subject areas, the largest being Eastern European Languages, Childhood & Youth Studies and Ancient Languages. UCL (University College London) offers 1,131 courses across 109 subject areas; University of Cambridge offers 336 courses across 79 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,800 a year at UCL (University College London) and £32,890 at University of Cambridge: UCL (University College London) is about £3,090 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £34,700 a year at UCL (University College London) and £41,300 at University of Cambridge: UCL (University College London) is about £6,600 a year cheaper.

Of the 18 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Cambridge is higher in 15 and UCL (University College London) in 2, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Planning & Housing: £33,000 three years after graduating from UCL (University College London), against £48,000 from University of Cambridge. Of the 17 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Cambridge is higher in 12 and UCL (University College London) in 5.

World & National Rankings

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

#8
QS World
#6
#22
THE World
#3
#9
Guardian UK
#2
1826
Established
1209
Yes
Russell Group
Yes
Silver
TEF Rating
Gold

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.

UCL (University College London)

University of Cambridge

86.5%
92.1%

Satisfaction

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

£46,400
£49,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

80.4%
76.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

51.9%
32.2%

International

International student share

1131
336

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

18
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.

UCL (University College London)

127 countries · 51.9% international

  • 🇨🇳China53.3%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.9%
  • 🇺🇸United States4.2%
  • 🇮🇳India3.4%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore2.4%
VS

Cambridge

96 countries · 32.2% international

  • 🇨🇳China28.2%
  • 🇺🇸United States10.3%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore6.6%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5.3%
  • 🇮🇳India4.7%

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.

UCL (University College London)

University of Cambridge

Also taught at both: General Engineering, Physics, Management, Architecture, Geology & Earth Sciences, Chemical Engineering, Philosophy, Planning & Housing, Clinical Specialities, Archaeology, Civil Engineering, Human Geography & Environment, Anthropology, Law, Building & Construction, Chemistry, Geography (General), Linguistics, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Dentistry, Biology, Health & Social Care, Education Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Media & Film Studies, Social Policy & Public Policy, Theology & Religious Studies, Genetics & Genomics, Statistics, Anatomy & Pathology, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Biochemistry, Classical Studies, Materials Science, Software Engineering, Biotechnology, English Studies, Medicine, Computing & IT, Pharmacology, History of Art & Design, Information & Library Studies, Music, Welsh Studies, Creative Writing, Information Systems & Data Science, Landscape Architecture & Design, American & Comparative Studies, International Development, Business Studies, Clinical & Health Psychology, Heritage & Conservation, Humanities, Zoology & Animal Biology.

Only at UCL (University College London)

Only at University of Cambridge

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

UCL (University College London)
£29,800
University of Cambridge
£32,890

UCL (University College London) is about £3,090 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

UCL (University College London)
£34,700
University of Cambridge
£41,300

UCL (University College London) is about £6,600 a year cheaper.

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.

UCL (University College London)

University of Cambridge

  • Ancient Languages

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    92%Satisfaction97%

  • Mathematics

    £41,000Salary (3 years)£44,500
    87%Satisfaction94%

  • Psychology (General)

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    90%Satisfaction92%

  • Computer Science

    £51,000Salary (3 years)£63,500
    80%Satisfaction94%

  • Economics

    £45,000Salary (3 years)£59,500
    79%Satisfaction86%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£34,000
    87%SatisfactionNo data

  • History

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    91%Satisfaction95%

  • General Engineering

    £38,500Salary (3 years)£39,500
    94%Satisfaction87%

  • Architecture

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£38,000
    95%Satisfaction88%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£43,000
    81%Satisfaction94%

  • Philosophy

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    88%Satisfaction93%

  • Planning & Housing

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£48,000
    84%Satisfaction89%

Showing the 12 largest of 18 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

UCL (University College London)

Commercial Bar Opportunity Scholarship

£25,000

Deadline: N/A

AHRC Doctoral Landscape Award

100%

Deadline: N/A

UCL Department of Arts and Sciences (UASc) Interdisciplinary Excellence PhD Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Law Society Pro Bono Bursary

£250

Deadline: N/A

Alonso Gurmendi Dunkelberg, UCL Graduate Research Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

University of Cambridge

View all scholarships →

FAQ

UCL (University College London) vs University of Cambridge: common questions

Is UCL (University College London) or University of Cambridge cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,800 a year at UCL (University College London) and £32,890 at University of Cambridge: UCL (University College London) is about £3,090 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £34,700 a year at UCL (University College London) and £41,300 at University of Cambridge: UCL (University College London) is about £6,600 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 UCL (University College London) and University of Cambridge?

Both universities teach 70 subject areas: Eastern European Languages, Childhood & Youth Studies, Ancient Languages, Mathematics, Biomedical Sciences, Psychology (General), Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Sociology & Criminology, Computer Science, Economics, Politics & International Relations, Business & Management (General) and 58 more.

Is UCL (University College London) or University of Cambridge better for Ancient Languages?

Ancient Languages graduates earn a median £31,000 three years after graduating from UCL (University College London), and £30,000 from University of Cambridge. Student satisfaction with teaching is 92% at UCL (University College London) and 97% at University of Cambridge. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does UCL (University College London) or University of Cambridge offer more courses?

UCL (University College London) lists 1,131 courses on CourseOptions and University of Cambridge lists 336 courses.

What can you study at UCL (University College London) but not at University of Cambridge?

UCL (University College London) teaches 39 subject areas that University of Cambridge does not, including German & Scandinavian Studies, French, Italian, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Design & Fashion, Spanish & Portuguese, Mechanical Engineering, Public Health & Epidemiology and 31 more.

What can you study at University of Cambridge but not at UCL (University College London)?

University of Cambridge teaches 9 subject areas that UCL (University College London) does not, including Asian Languages & Studies, Veterinary Medicine, Celtic Studies, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Aerospace Engineering, Animal Science, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Technology & Logistics and 1 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

U
UCL (University College London)1,131 courses · 18 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Cambridge336 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses