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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 St Andrews

St Andrews · QS World #115

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.

6/11

UCL (University College London)

scored higher in 6 categories

VS

5/11

St Andrews

scored higher in 5 categories

Quick Verdict

UCL (University College London) leads in 6 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, employment, international, graduate salary). University of St Andrews is ahead on ranking, established, satisfaction, courses, scholarship.

UCL (University College London) vs University of St Andrews at a glance

UCL (University College London) and University of St Andrews both teach 55 subject areas, the largest being African & Middle Eastern Studies, German & Scandinavian Studies and French. UCL (University College London) offers 1,131 courses across 109 subject areas; University of St Andrews offers 1,157 courses across 64 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,800 a year at UCL (University College London) and £30,160 at University of St Andrews: UCL (University College London) is about £360 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £34,700 a year at UCL (University College London) and £27,200 at University of St Andrews: University of St Andrews is about £7,500 a year cheaper.

Of the 33 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, UCL (University College London) is higher in 30 and University of St Andrews in 3. The widest gap is in Medicine: £48,000 three years after graduating from UCL (University College London), against £35,000 from University of St Andrews. Of the 32 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of St Andrews is higher in 27 and UCL (University College London) in 4, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#8
QS World
#115
#22
THE World
#162
#9
Guardian UK
#3
1826
Established
1413
Yes
Russell Group
No
Silver
TEF Rating
—

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 St Andrews

86.5%
93.2%

Satisfaction

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

£46,400
£40,000

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

80.4%
74.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

51.9%
46.1%

International

International student share

1131
1157

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

18
62

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

St Andrews

89 countries · 46.1% international

  • 🇺🇸United States42.3%
  • 🇨🇳China9%
  • 🇩🇪Germany4%
  • 🇮🇳India4%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong3.2%

Subjects

55 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 St Andrews

Also taught at both: Geography (General), Theology & Religious Studies, English Studies, Media & Film Studies, Management, Philosophy, Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Spanish & Portuguese, Chemistry, Geology & Earth Sciences, Sociology & Criminology, Anthropology, Business & Management (General), Physics, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Human Geography & Environment, Statistics, Education Studies, Medicine, Finance & Actuarial Science, Physical Geography & Climate, Biochemistry, Ecology & Conservation, Law, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Materials Science, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Information & Library Studies, Software Engineering, Combined & General Studies, Computing & IT, Applied Biology & Human Biology, Creative Writing, English Literature, Zoology & Animal Biology, Business Studies, Heritage & Conservation, Humanities, Marketing.

Only at UCL (University College London)

Only at University of St Andrews

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 St Andrews
£30,160

UCL (University College London) is about £360 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

UCL (University College London)
£34,700
University of St Andrews
£27,200

University of St Andrews is about £7,500 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 St Andrews

  • African & Middle Eastern Studies

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    89%Satisfaction96%

  • German & Scandinavian Studies

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    95%Satisfaction90%

  • French

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    91%Satisfaction95%

  • Ancient Languages

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    92%Satisfaction100%

  • Italian

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    92%Satisfaction98%

  • Eastern European Languages

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    85%Satisfaction92%

  • History

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    91%Satisfaction97%

  • Classical Studies

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    83%Satisfaction97%

  • Economics

    £45,000Salary (3 years)£39,000
    79%Satisfaction93%

  • Mathematics

    £41,000Salary (3 years)£36,500
    87%Satisfaction94%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    87%Satisfaction95%

  • History of Art & Design

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    97%Satisfaction94%

Showing the 12 largest of 34 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 St Andrews

Applied Environmental Sciences MSc Awards - Women in Mining (WIM) UK

100%

Deadline: Jun 2026

Environmental Science MSc Awards - The Cunningham Scholarship UK

100%

Deadline: Jun 2026

Masters funding in Digital Health and Care

£10,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

School of Modern Languages Masters Scholarship

100%

Deadline: May 2026

University of Jordan Postgraduate Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

UCL (University College London) vs University of St Andrews: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,800 a year at UCL (University College London) and £30,160 at University of St Andrews: UCL (University College London) is about £360 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £34,700 a year at UCL (University College London) and £27,200 at University of St Andrews: University of St Andrews is about £7,500 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 St Andrews?

Both universities teach 55 subject areas: African & Middle Eastern Studies, German & Scandinavian Studies, French, Ancient Languages, Italian, Eastern European Languages, History, Classical Studies, Economics, Mathematics, Politics & International Relations, Childhood & Youth Studies and 43 more.

Is UCL (University College London) or University of St Andrews better for African & Middle Eastern Studies?

African & Middle Eastern Studies graduates earn a median £31,000 three years after graduating from UCL (University College London), and £30,000 from University of St Andrews. Student satisfaction with teaching is 89% at UCL (University College London) and 96% at University of St Andrews. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of St Andrews lists 1,157 courses on CourseOptions and UCL (University College London) lists 1,131 courses.

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

UCL (University College London) teaches 54 subject areas that University of St Andrews does not, including Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Planning & Housing, Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Architecture, Clinical Specialities, Design & Fashion and 46 more.

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

University of St Andrews teaches 9 subject areas that UCL (University College London) does not, including Teacher Training, Asian Languages & Studies, Agriculture & Land Management, Animal Science, Applied & General Science, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Environmental Sciences, Liberal Arts 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 St Andrews1,157 courses · 62 scholarshipsBrowse Courses