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.
Belfast · QS World #595
Pontypridd · QS World #1201
Head-to-Head Summary
Based on 8 datapoints
We looked at 8 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.
4/8
Ulster
scored higher in 4 categories
4/8
South Wales
scored higher in 4 categories
Quick Verdict
Ulster University and University of South Wales are evenly matched: each leads in 4 of 8 categories where both have data. Ulster University is ahead on ranking, international; University of South Wales on established, satisfaction, courses, scholarship.
Ulster University vs University of South Wales at a glance
Ulster University and University of South Wales both teach 45 subject areas, the largest being Law, Psychology (General) and Sport & Exercise Sciences. Ulster University offers 170 courses across 66 subject areas; University of South Wales offers 331 courses across 63 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,490 a year at Ulster University and £16,200 at University of South Wales: University of South Wales is about £1,290 a year cheaper.
Of the 33 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of South Wales is higher in 18 and Ulster University in 12, with 3 about level.
World & National Rankings
Compare world and national league table positions, TEF ratings, and Russell Group membership.
Visual Breakdown
Key metrics at a glance
Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.
Ulster University
University of South Wales
Satisfaction
Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)
Graduate Salaries (5y)
Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation
Employment
Graduate employment rate
International
International student share
Course Counts
Number of courses offered
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.
Ulster
45 countries · 32.5% international
- 🇵🇰Pakistan27.8%
- 🇮🇪Ireland21.4%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria16.1%
- 🇮🇳India12.6%
- 🇧🇩Bangladesh8.6%
South Wales
71 countries · 22% international
- 🇳🇬Nigeria17.6%
- 🇧🇩Bangladesh16.6%
- 🇮🇳India16.1%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan15.7%
- 🌐Sri Lanka6.6%
Subjects
45 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.
Ulster University
University of South Wales
Law
9 coursesTypical fee £17,490 (UG)
15 coursesTypical fee £16,200 (UG)
Psychology (General)
1 courseTypical fee £17,490 (UG)
20 coursesTypical fee £16,200 (UG)
Sport & Exercise Sciences
6 coursesTypical fee £17,490 (UG)
12 coursesTypical fee £16,200 (UG)
Design & Fashion
6 coursesTypical fee £17,490 (UG)
11 coursesTypical fee £16,200 (UG)
Building & Construction
3 coursesTypical fee £17,490 (UG)
11 coursesTypical fee £16,200 (UG)
Film Production & Cinematography
3 coursesTypical fee £17,490 (UG)
11 coursesTypical fee £16,200 (UG)
Accounting
Business Studies
Civil Engineering
Health Sciences & Paramedic Science
Computer Science
Counselling & Psychotherapy
Electronic & Electrical Engineering
Marketing
Music
Also taught at both: Sociology & Criminology, Mechanical Engineering, Media & Film Studies, Software Engineering, Health & Social Care, Social Work, Drama & Theatre, Journalism, Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Games Design & Computer Animation, History, Information Systems & Data Science, English Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, General Engineering, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Management, Social Policy & Public Policy, Complementary & Alternative Medicine, Human Resource Management, Politics & International Relations, Specialist Clinical Nursing, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Creative Arts (General), Fine Art, Medical Sciences, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Public Health & Epidemiology, Veterinary Sciences & Nursing.
Only at Ulster University
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
- Ulster University
- £17,490
- University of South Wales
- £16,200
University of South Wales is about £1,290 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Ulster University
- No data
- University of South Wales
- £17,900
We do not have reliable international fee data for Ulster University yet.
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.
Ulster University
University of South Wales
Law
No dataSalary (3 years)£20,00087%Satisfaction96%Sport & Exercise Sciences
No dataSalary (3 years)£21,00082%Satisfaction87%Design & Fashion
No dataSalary (3 years)£20,50088%Satisfaction88%Building & Construction
No dataSalary (3 years)£40,50085%Satisfaction88%Film Production & Cinematography
No dataSalary (3 years)£18,00080%Satisfaction87%Accounting
No dataSalary (3 years)£21,50095%Satisfaction90%Business Studies
No dataSalary (3 years)£19,00083%Satisfaction91%Civil Engineering
No dataSalary (3 years)£28,500100%Satisfaction83%Health Sciences & Paramedic Science
No dataSalary (3 years)£22,50088%Satisfaction97%Computer Science
No dataSalary (3 years)£19,50079%Satisfaction90%Counselling & Psychotherapy
No dataSalary (3 years)£22,50091%Satisfaction98%Electronic & Electrical Engineering
No dataSalary (3 years)£30,00086%Satisfaction94%
Showing the 12 largest of 33 shared subjects with published outcomes.
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveUlster University
View all scholarships →University of South Wales
USW Postgraduate Refugee Sanctuary Scheme
100%
Deadline: N/A
USW Postgraduate Sanctuary Scholarship 2026/2027
100%
Deadline: Jul 2026
USW Postgraduate Sanctuary Scholarship 2027/2028
100%
Deadline: Jul 2027
USW Refugee Sanctuary Scheme
100%
Deadline: N/A
Undergraduate Sanctuary Scholarship 2026/2027
100%
Deadline: Jul 2026
FAQ
Ulster University vs University of South Wales: common questions
Is Ulster University or University of South Wales cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,490 a year at Ulster University and £16,200 at University of South Wales: University of South Wales is about £1,290 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 Ulster University and University of South Wales?
Both universities teach 45 subject areas: Law, Psychology (General), Sport & Exercise Sciences, Design & Fashion, Building & Construction, Film Production & Cinematography, Accounting, Business Studies, Civil Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Computer Science, Counselling & Psychotherapy and 33 more.
Does Ulster University or University of South Wales offer more courses?
University of South Wales lists 331 courses on CourseOptions and Ulster University lists 170 courses.
What can you study at Ulster University but not at University of South Wales?
Ulster University teaches 21 subject areas that University of South Wales does not, including Irish Studies, Nutrition & Dietetics, Anatomy & Pathology, Architecture, Biomedical Engineering, Economics, Environmental Sciences, Linguistics and 13 more.
What can you study at University of South Wales but not at Ulster University?
University of South Wales teaches 18 subject areas that Ulster University does not, including Healthcare Science, Business & Management (General), Aerospace Engineering, Nursing (General), Teacher Training, Childhood & Youth Studies, Forensic Science, Community & Specialist Nursing and 10 more.
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Browse available courses, check entry requirements, and find scholarships at each university.