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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 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.

8/10

UCL (University College London)

scored higher in 8 categories

VS

2/10

West of Scotland

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

UCL (University College London) leads in 8 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of the West of Scotland is ahead on satisfaction, employment.

UCL (University College London) vs University of the West of Scotland at a glance

UCL (University College London) and University of the West of Scotland both teach 35 subject areas, the largest being Childhood & Youth Studies, Psychology (General) and Mathematics. UCL (University College London) offers 1,131 courses across 109 subject areas; University of the West of Scotland offers 119 courses across 49 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,800 a year at UCL (University College London) and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £14,300 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £34,700 a year at UCL (University College London) and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £18,420 a year cheaper.

Of the 14 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, UCL (University College London) is higher in 13 and University of the West of Scotland in 1. The widest gap is in Law: £41,000 three years after graduating from UCL (University College London), against £21,000 from University of the West of Scotland. Of the 11 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of the West of Scotland is higher in 7 and UCL (University College London) in 4.

World & National Rankings

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

#8
QS World
—
#22
THE World
#601
#9
Guardian UK
#115
1826
Established
1897
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 the West of Scotland

86.5%
89%

Satisfaction

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

£46,400
£31,134.9

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

80.4%
81.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

51.9%
30.3%

International

International student share

1131
119

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

West of Scotland

33 countries · 30.3% international

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

Subjects

35 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 the West of Scotland

Also taught at both: Public Health & Epidemiology, Law, Mechanical Engineering, Business Studies, Computing & IT, Education Studies, Media & Film Studies, Social Sciences (General), Biology, Community & Specialist Nursing, Forensic Science, Healthcare Science, Mental Health Nursing, Accounting, Music, English Language, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Zoology & Animal Biology, Creative Arts (General), Marketing.

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 the West of Scotland
£15,500

University of the West of Scotland is about £14,300 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

UCL (University College London)
£34,700
University of the West of Scotland
£16,280

University of the West of Scotland is about £18,420 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 the West of Scotland

  • Childhood & Youth Studies

    £41,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    84%Satisfaction92%
  • Sociology & Criminology

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    87%SatisfactionNo data
  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    90%Satisfaction80%
  • Physics

    £42,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    83%Satisfaction95%
  • General Engineering

    £38,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    94%Satisfaction92%
  • Chemistry

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    84%Satisfaction95%
  • Law

    £41,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    92%SatisfactionNo data
  • Mechanical Engineering

    £38,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    80%Satisfaction89%
  • Business Studies

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    85%Satisfaction75%
  • Social Sciences (General)

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    85%Satisfaction95%
  • Biology

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£20,500
    87%Satisfaction99%
  • Forensic Science

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    90%Satisfaction95%

Showing the 12 largest of 14 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 the West of Scotland

View all scholarships →

FAQ

UCL (University College London) vs University of the West of Scotland: common questions

Is UCL (University College London) or University of the West of Scotland cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,800 a year at UCL (University College London) and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £14,300 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £34,700 a year at UCL (University College London) and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £18,420 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 the West of Scotland?

Both universities teach 35 subject areas: Childhood & Youth Studies, Psychology (General), Mathematics, Biomedical Sciences, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Sociology & Criminology, Business & Management (General), Politics & International Relations, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Physics, General Engineering, Chemistry and 23 more.

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

Childhood & Youth Studies graduates earn a median £41,500 three years after graduating from UCL (University College London), and £24,500 from University of the West of Scotland. Student satisfaction with teaching is 84% at UCL (University College London) and 92% at University of the West of Scotland. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does UCL (University College London) or University of the West of Scotland offer more courses?

UCL (University College London) lists 1,131 courses on CourseOptions and University of the West of Scotland lists 119 courses.

What can you study at UCL (University College London) but not at University of the West of Scotland?

UCL (University College London) teaches 74 subject areas that University of the West of Scotland does not, including German & Scandinavian Studies, Eastern European Languages, Ancient Languages, Computer Science, Economics, French, Geology & Earth Sciences, Planning & Housing and 66 more.

What can you study at University of the West of Scotland but not at UCL (University College London)?

University of the West of Scotland teaches 14 subject areas that UCL (University College London) does not, including Teacher Training, Applied Computing, Business Information Systems, Applied Psychology, Social Work, Aerospace Engineering, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Journalism and 6 more.

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