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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 Leeds

Leeds · QS World #77

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

UCL (University College London)

scored higher in 9 categories

VS

1/10

Leeds

scored higher in 1 category

Quick Verdict

UCL (University College London) leads in 9 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Leeds is ahead on employment.

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

UCL (University College London) and University of Leeds both teach 86 subject areas, the largest being German & Scandinavian Studies, Eastern European Languages and Childhood & Youth Studies. UCL (University College London) offers 1,131 courses across 109 subject areas; University of Leeds offers 579 courses across 110 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,800 a year at UCL (University College London) and £33,700 at University of Leeds: UCL (University College London) is about £3,900 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £34,700 a year at UCL (University College London) and £31,500 at University of Leeds: University of Leeds is about £3,200 a year cheaper.

Of the 47 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, UCL (University College London) is higher in 43 and University of Leeds in 4. The widest gap is in Law: £41,000 three years after graduating from UCL (University College London), against £26,000 from University of Leeds. Of the 48 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, UCL (University College London) is higher in 27 and University of Leeds in 20, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#8
QS World
#77
#22
THE World
#118
#9
Guardian UK
#15
1826
Established
1904
Yes
Russell Group
Yes
Silver
TEF Rating
Silver

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 Leeds

86.5%
85.7%

Satisfaction

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

£46,400
£37,200

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

80.4%
82.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

51.9%
31.5%

International

International student share

1131
579

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

18
13

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

Leeds

105 countries · 31.5% international

  • 🇨🇳China49.5%
  • 🇮🇳India9.6%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.9%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.4%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.8%

Subjects

86 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 Leeds

Also taught at both: Geology & Earth Sciences, Design & Fashion, Management, Philosophy, History, Business & Management (General), Law, French, Chemical Engineering, Planning & Housing, Human Geography & Environment, Media & Film Studies, Business Studies, Education Studies, Italian, Linguistics, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Architecture, Dentistry, General Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Music, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Social Policy & Public Policy, Spanish & Portuguese, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Health & Social Care, Public Health & Epidemiology, Ecology & Conservation, Theology & Religious Studies, Statistics, Biomedical Engineering, English Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Nutrition & Dietetics, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biochemistry, Biology, Fine Art, Biological Sciences (General), Biotechnology, Genetics & Genomics, Specialist Clinical Nursing, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Information & Library Studies, Marketing, Medicine, Pharmacology, Pharmacy, Social Sciences (General), Software Engineering, Zoology & Animal Biology, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Classical Studies, English Literature, Healthcare Science, History of Art & Design, Information Systems & Data Science, Materials Science, Mental Health Nursing, Physical Geography & Climate, Anatomy & Pathology, Film Production & Cinematography, International Development, Sport & Exercise Sciences, English Language, Polymer & Textiles Technology, Clinical & Health Psychology, Creative Writing, Humanities, Public Relations.

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 Leeds
£33,700

UCL (University College London) is about £3,900 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

UCL (University College London)
£34,700
University of Leeds
£31,500

University of Leeds is about £3,200 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 Leeds

  • German & Scandinavian Studies

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    95%Satisfaction93%
  • Eastern European Languages

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    85%Satisfaction88%
  • Childhood & Youth Studies

    £41,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    84%Satisfaction83%
  • Civil Engineering

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    73%Satisfaction89%
  • Ancient Languages

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    92%Satisfaction88%
  • Physics

    £42,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    83%Satisfaction89%
  • Computer Science

    £51,000Salary (3 years)£42,000
    80%Satisfaction79%
  • Mathematics

    £41,000Salary (3 years)£31,500
    87%Satisfaction83%
  • Sociology & Criminology

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    87%Satisfaction82%
  • Economics

    £45,000Salary (3 years)£36,000
    79%Satisfaction88%
  • Politics & International Relations

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£28,500
    87%Satisfaction85%
  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    90%Satisfaction92%

Showing the 12 largest of 49 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 Leeds

Gazan Humanitarian Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Gazan Humanitarian Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Global Community Bursary

£10,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

Sanctuary Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

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

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,800 a year at UCL (University College London) and £33,700 at University of Leeds: UCL (University College London) is about £3,900 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £34,700 a year at UCL (University College London) and £31,500 at University of Leeds: University of Leeds is about £3,200 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 Leeds?

Both universities teach 86 subject areas: German & Scandinavian Studies, Eastern European Languages, Childhood & Youth Studies, Civil Engineering, Ancient Languages, Physics, Computer Science, Mathematics, Sociology & Criminology, Economics, Politics & International Relations, Electronic & Electrical Engineering and 74 more.

Is UCL (University College London) or University of Leeds better for German & Scandinavian Studies?

German & Scandinavian Studies graduates earn a median £31,000 three years after graduating from UCL (University College London), and £27,500 from University of Leeds. Student satisfaction with teaching is 95% at UCL (University College London) and 93% at University of Leeds. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

UCL (University College London) lists 1,131 courses on CourseOptions and University of Leeds lists 579 courses.

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

UCL (University College London) teaches 23 subject areas that University of Leeds does not, including Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Anthropology, Clinical Specialities, Archaeology, Building & Construction, Geography (General), Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Computing & IT and 15 more.

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

University of Leeds teaches 24 subject areas that UCL (University College London) does not, including Personal & Professional Development, Asian Languages & Studies, Drama & Theatre, Medical Imaging, Natural Sciences, Aerospace Engineering, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Food Science and 16 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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