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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 Plymouth

Plymouth · QS World #691

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 12 datapoints

We looked at 12 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

9/12

UCL (University College London)

scored higher in 9 categories

VS

3/12

Plymouth

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

UCL (University College London) leads in 9 of 12 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Plymouth is ahead on TEF, satisfaction, employment.

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

UCL (University College London) and University of Plymouth both teach 61 subject areas, the largest being Childhood & Youth Studies, Psychology (General) and Geology & Earth Sciences. UCL (University College London) offers 1,131 courses across 109 subject areas; University of Plymouth offers 310 courses across 78 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,800 a year at UCL (University College London) and £19,200 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £10,600 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £34,700 a year at UCL (University College London) and £19,500 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £15,200 a year cheaper.

Of the 32 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, UCL (University College London) is higher in 29 and University of Plymouth in 2, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £51,000 three years after graduating from UCL (University College London), against £28,000 from University of Plymouth. Of the 29 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, UCL (University College London) is higher in 14 and University of Plymouth in 13, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#8
QS World
#691
#22
THE World
#501
#9
Guardian UK
#56
1826
Established
1862
Yes
Russell Group
No
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 Plymouth

86.5%
86.6%

Satisfaction

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

£46,400
£30,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

80.4%
84.2%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

51.9%
11.9%

International

International student share

1131
310

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

18
10

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

Plymouth

71 countries · 11.9% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria14.6%
  • 🇨🇳China12.2%
  • 🇮🇳India11%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.7%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka3.3%

Subjects

61 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 Plymouth

Also taught at both: Law, Architecture, Chemical Engineering, Dentistry, History, Anthropology, Building & Construction, Human Geography & Environment, Ecology & Conservation, General Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemistry, Geography (General), Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Statistics, Education Studies, Nutrition & Dietetics, Physical Geography & Climate, English Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Media & Film Studies, Mental Health Nursing, Specialist Clinical Nursing, Biology, Business Studies, Film Production & Cinematography, Fine Art, Marine Engineering & Technology, Medicine, Social Sciences (General), Anatomy & Pathology, Biological Sciences (General), Biomedical Engineering, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Clinical & Health Psychology, Creative Writing, Games Design & Computer Animation, Marketing, Optometry & Ophthalmics, Accounting, Creative Arts (General), Music, Zoology & Animal Biology, Heritage & Conservation.

Only at UCL (University College London)

Only at University of Plymouth

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 Plymouth
£19,200

University of Plymouth is about £10,600 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

UCL (University College London)
£34,700
University of Plymouth
£19,500

University of Plymouth is about £15,200 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 Plymouth

  • Childhood & Youth Studies

    £41,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    84%Satisfaction79%

  • Psychology (General)

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£21,500
    90%Satisfaction84%

  • Geology & Earth Sciences

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    88%Satisfaction91%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £34,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    79%Satisfaction84%

  • Computer Science

    £51,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    80%Satisfaction72%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    93%Satisfaction83%

  • Mathematics

    £41,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    87%Satisfaction86%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    87%Satisfaction83%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    90%Satisfaction91%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    87%Satisfaction86%

  • Civil Engineering

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    73%Satisfaction94%

  • Economics

    £45,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    79%Satisfaction91%

Showing the 12 largest of 33 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 Plymouth

GREAT Scholarships

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

International Undergraduate Welcome to Plymouth Scholarship

£6,000

Deadline: N/A

Tamar Engineering Project

£4,500

Deadline: Jun 2026

International Postgraduate Welcome to Plymouth Scholarship

£4,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

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

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,800 a year at UCL (University College London) and £19,200 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £10,600 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £34,700 a year at UCL (University College London) and £19,500 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £15,200 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 Plymouth?

Both universities teach 61 subject areas: Childhood & Youth Studies, Psychology (General), Geology & Earth Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, Computer Science, Business & Management (General), Mathematics, Sociology & Criminology, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Politics & International Relations, Civil Engineering and 49 more.

Is UCL (University College London) or University of Plymouth better for Childhood & Youth Studies?

Childhood & Youth Studies graduates earn a median £41,500 three years after graduating from UCL (University College London), and £29,000 from University of Plymouth. Student satisfaction with teaching is 84% at UCL (University College London) and 79% at University of Plymouth. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

UCL (University College London) lists 1,131 courses on CourseOptions and University of Plymouth lists 310 courses.

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

UCL (University College London) teaches 48 subject areas that University of Plymouth does not, including German & Scandinavian Studies, Eastern European Languages, Ancient Languages, French, Planning & Housing, Italian, Physics, Microbiology & Cell Biology and 40 more.

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

University of Plymouth teaches 17 subject areas that UCL (University College London) does not, including Adult Nursing, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Children's Nursing, Environmental Sciences, Midwifery, Agriculture & Land Management, Complementary & Alternative Medicine and 9 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 Plymouth310 courses · 10 scholarshipsBrowse Courses