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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.

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Ulster University

Belfast · QS World #595

U
University of the West of Scotland

Paisley · Guardian UK #115

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 6 datapoints

We looked at 6 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

4/6

Ulster

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

2/6

West of Scotland

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

Ulster University leads in 4 of 6 categories where both have data (ranking, employment, international, courses). University of the West of Scotland is ahead on established, satisfaction.

Ulster University vs University of the West of Scotland at a glance

Ulster University and University of the West of Scotland both teach 25 subject areas, the largest being Business Studies, Law and Accounting. Ulster University offers 170 courses across 66 subject areas; University of the West of Scotland offers 119 courses across 49 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,490 a year at Ulster University and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £1,990 a year cheaper.

Of the 13 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Ulster University is higher in 6 and University of the West of Scotland in 6, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#595
QS World
—
#601
THE World
#601
#60
Guardian UK
#115
1968
Established
1897
No
Russell Group
No
—
TEF Rating
—

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.

Ulster University

University of the West of Scotland

86.4%
89%

Satisfaction

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

No data
£31,134.9

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.6%
81.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

32.5%
30.3%

International

International student share

170
119

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
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.

Ulster

45 countries · 32.5% international

  • 🇵🇰Pakistan27.8%
  • 🇮🇪Ireland21.4%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria16.1%
  • 🇮🇳India12.6%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh8.6%
VS

West of Scotland

33 countries · 30.3% international

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

Subjects

25 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 the West of Scotland

Also taught at both: Mechanical Engineering, Media & Film Studies, Biomedical Sciences, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Politics & International Relations, Environmental Sciences, Public Health & Epidemiology, Biology, Creative Arts (General), Psychology (General).

Only at Ulster University

Only at University of the West of Scotland

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 the West of Scotland
£15,500

University of the West of Scotland is about £1,990 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Ulster University
No data
University of the West of Scotland
£16,280

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 the West of Scotland

  • Business Studies

    No dataSalary (3 years)£21,000
    83%Satisfaction75%

  • Accounting

    No dataSalary (3 years)£21,000
    95%Satisfaction86%

  • Design & Fashion

    No dataSalary (3 years)£17,500
    88%Satisfaction91%

  • General Engineering

    No dataSalary (3 years)£26,500
    77%Satisfaction92%

  • Social Work

    No dataSalary (3 years)£30,500
    96%Satisfaction88%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    No dataSalary (3 years)£21,000
    82%Satisfaction91%

  • Journalism

    No dataSalary (3 years)£19,500
    82%Satisfaction87%

  • Music

    No dataSalary (3 years)£18,500
    90%Satisfaction90%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    No dataSalary (3 years)£26,500
    86%Satisfaction80%

  • Health & Social Care

    No dataSalary (3 years)£26,000
    91%Satisfaction90%

  • Hospitality, Events & Tourism

    No dataSalary (3 years)£19,000
    96%Satisfaction93%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    No dataSalary (3 years)£25,500
    77%Satisfaction89%

Showing the 12 largest of 13 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Ulster University

View all scholarships →

University of the West of Scotland

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Ulster University vs University of the West of Scotland: common questions

Is Ulster University or University of the West of Scotland cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,490 a year at Ulster University and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £1,990 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 the West of Scotland?

Both universities teach 25 subject areas: Business Studies, Law, Accounting, Design & Fashion, General Engineering, Social Work, Sociology & Criminology, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Computing & IT, Journalism, Music, Electronic & Electrical Engineering and 13 more.

Does Ulster University or University of the West of Scotland offer more courses?

Ulster University lists 170 courses on CourseOptions and University of the West of Scotland lists 119 courses.

What can you study at Ulster University but not at University of the West of Scotland?

Ulster University teaches 41 subject areas that University of the West of Scotland does not, including Computer Science, Civil Engineering, Irish Studies, Building & Construction, English Studies, Film Production & Cinematography, History, Nutrition & Dietetics and 33 more.

What can you study at University of the West of Scotland but not at Ulster University?

University of the West of Scotland teaches 24 subject areas that Ulster University does not, including Teacher Training, Applied Computing, Business Information Systems, Chemistry, Applied Psychology, Childhood & Youth Studies, Physics, Social Sciences (General) and 16 more.

Ready to explore courses?

Browse available courses, check entry requirements, and find scholarships at each university.

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Ulster University170 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of the West of Scotland119 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses