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.
Farnham
Paisley · Guardian UK #115
Head-to-Head Summary
Based on 7 datapoints
We looked at 7 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.
3/7
University for the Creative Arts
scored higher in 3 categories
4/7
West of Scotland
scored higher in 4 categories
Quick Verdict
University of the West of Scotland leads in 4 of 7 categories where both have data (satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary). University for the Creative Arts is ahead on established, courses, scholarship.
University for the Creative Arts vs University of the West of Scotland at a glance
University for the Creative Arts and University of the West of Scotland both teach 6 subject areas, the largest being Design & Fashion, Business Studies and Applied Computing. University for the Creative Arts offers 194 courses across 14 subject areas; University of the West of Scotland offers 119 courses across 49 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,500 a year at University for the Creative Arts and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £2,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,020 a year at University for the Creative Arts and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £1,740 a year cheaper.
Of the 2 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University for the Creative Arts is higher in 1 and University of the West of Scotland in 1. The widest gap is in Design & Fashion: £21,500 three years after graduating from University for the Creative Arts, against £17,500 from University of the West of Scotland. Of the 4 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of the West of Scotland is higher in 4 and University for the Creative Arts in 0.
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.
University for the Creative Arts
University of the West of Scotland
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.
University for the Creative Arts
56 countries · 14.6% international
- 🇨🇳China26%
- 🇮🇳India21.5%
- 🌐Nepal15.8%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria3.8%
- 🌐Sri Lanka3.2%
West of Scotland
33 countries · 30.3% international
- 🇵🇰Pakistan36.2%
- 🌐Nepal20.4%
- 🇮🇳India19.3%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria7.4%
- 🇧🇩Bangladesh5.3%
Subjects
6 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.
University for the Creative Arts
University of the West of Scotland
Design & Fashion
69 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £15,500 (UG)
Business Studies
13 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
9 coursesTypical fee £15,500 (UG)
Applied Computing
Marketing
Media & Film Studies
Music
Only at University for the Creative Arts
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
- University for the Creative Arts
- £17,500
- University of the West of Scotland
- £15,500
University of the West of Scotland is about £2,000 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- University for the Creative Arts
- £18,020
- University of the West of Scotland
- £16,280
University of the West of Scotland is about £1,740 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.
University for the Creative Arts
University of the West of Scotland
Design & Fashion
£21,500Salary (3 years)£17,50085%Satisfaction91%Business Studies
No dataSalary (3 years)£21,00059%Satisfaction75%Applied Computing
No dataSalary (3 years)£22,00088%Satisfaction90%Music
£16,000Salary (3 years)£18,50076%Satisfaction90%
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveUniversity for the Creative Arts
2026 Venice Art Biennale Fellowship
£3,300
Deadline: N/A
University of the West of Scotland
View all scholarships →FAQ
University for the Creative Arts vs University of the West of Scotland: common questions
Is University for the Creative Arts or University of the West of Scotland cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,500 a year at University for the Creative Arts and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £2,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,020 a year at University for the Creative Arts and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £1,740 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 University for the Creative Arts and University of the West of Scotland?
Both universities teach 6 subject areas: Design & Fashion, Business Studies, Applied Computing, Marketing, Media & Film Studies and Music.
Is University for the Creative Arts or University of the West of Scotland better for Design & Fashion?
Design & Fashion graduates earn a median £21,500 three years after graduating from University for the Creative Arts, and £17,500 from University of the West of Scotland. Student satisfaction with teaching is 85% at University for the Creative Arts and 91% at University of the West of Scotland. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does University for the Creative Arts or University of the West of Scotland offer more courses?
University for the Creative Arts lists 194 courses on CourseOptions and University of the West of Scotland lists 119 courses.
What can you study at University for the Creative Arts but not at University of the West of Scotland?
University for the Creative Arts teaches 8 subject areas that University of the West of Scotland does not, including Film Production & Cinematography, Games Design & Computer Animation, Fine Art, Crafts & Applied Arts, Drama & Theatre, Computer Science, Architecture and Software Engineering.
What can you study at University of the West of Scotland but not at University for the Creative Arts?
University of the West of Scotland teaches 43 subject areas that University for the Creative Arts does not, including Teacher Training, Business Information Systems, Chemistry, Computing & IT, General Engineering, Applied Psychology, Accounting, Childhood & Youth Studies and 35 more.
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