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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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University of Bath

Bath · QS World #125

U
University of Southampton

Southampton · QS World #111

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.

4/11

Bath

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

7/11

Southampton

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Southampton leads in 7 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, established, employment, international, courses, scholarship). University of Bath is ahead on ranking, TEF, satisfaction, graduate salary.

University of Bath vs University of Southampton at a glance

University of Bath and University of Southampton both teach 43 subject areas, the largest being Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Physics. University of Bath offers 303 courses across 49 subject areas; University of Southampton offers 545 courses across 91 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,000 a year at University of Bath and £26,000 at University of Southampton: University of Southampton is about £6,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,500 a year at University of Bath and £31,200 at University of Southampton: University of Bath is about £1,700 a year cheaper.

Of the 21 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Bath is higher in 17 and University of Southampton in 3, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Economics: £45,500 three years after graduating from University of Bath, against £34,000 from University of Southampton. Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Bath is higher in 16 and University of Southampton in 3, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#125
QS World
#111
#251
THE World
#129
#7
Guardian UK
#16
1966
Established
1862
Yes
Russell Group
Yes
Gold
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

University of Bath

University of Southampton

88.6%
87%

Satisfaction

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

£47,400
£37,200

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

80.9%
82.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

23.8%
35.1%

International

International student share

303
545

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

25
52

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.

Bath

96 countries · 23.8% international

  • 🇮🇳India15.2%
  • 🇨🇳China9.7%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong8.2%
  • 🇹🇭Thailand7.1%
  • 🇪🇸Spain5.2%
VS

Southampton

103 countries · 35.1% international

  • 🇨🇳China63.5%
  • 🇮🇳India4.8%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia2.8%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia2.6%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.5%

Subjects

43 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 of Bath

University of Southampton

Also taught at both: Education Studies, Management, Accounting, Biochemistry, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Psychology (General), Social Policy & Public Policy, Sport & Exercise Sciences, International Development, Biomedical Sciences, Business Studies, Biology, Health & Social Care, Social Sciences (General), Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Clinical & Health Psychology, Medicine, Pharmacology, Architecture, Business Information Systems, Statistics, Building & Construction, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Physical Geography & Climate, Teacher Training, Applied Psychology, Human Resource Management, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation.

Only at University of Bath

Only at University of Southampton

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 of Bath
£32,000
University of Southampton
£26,000

University of Southampton is about £6,000 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Bath
£29,500
University of Southampton
£31,200

University of Bath is about £1,700 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 of Bath

University of Southampton

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£40,500
    77%Satisfaction89%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£34,500
    92%Satisfaction87%

  • Physics

    £35,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    89%Satisfaction87%

  • Computer Science

    £39,000Salary (3 years)£47,000
    85%Satisfaction80%

  • Civil Engineering

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    93%Satisfaction93%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£39,500
    94%Satisfaction84%

  • Mathematics

    £38,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    82%Satisfaction81%

  • Chemistry

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    94%Satisfaction91%

  • Economics

    £45,500Salary (3 years)£34,000
    86%Satisfaction85%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    90%Satisfaction85%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    87%Satisfaction86%

  • Aerospace Engineering

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    94%Satisfaction94%

Showing the 12 largest of 22 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Bath

Alumni Fund Post Graduate Sanctuary Scholarship

£20,780

Deadline: N/A

The Vice Chancellor's International Scholarships

£12,400

Deadline: N/A

Bath Global Excellence Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM

100%

Deadline: N/A

GREAT Scholarships 2026

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

University of Southampton

Horizon Europe fee waiver

100%

Deadline: N/A

Cowrie Foundation Scholarship

£8,000

Deadline: N/A

Xiamen University PhD Scholarships

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sociology Criminology International Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Southampton Ageing & Gerontology Talent Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Bath vs University of Southampton: common questions

Is University of Bath or University of Southampton cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,000 a year at University of Bath and £26,000 at University of Southampton: University of Southampton is about £6,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,500 a year at University of Bath and £31,200 at University of Southampton: University of Bath is about £1,700 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 of Bath and University of Southampton?

Both universities teach 43 subject areas: Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Computer Science, Business & Management (General), Civil Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Mathematics, Chemistry, Economics, Politics & International Relations, Sociology & Criminology and 31 more.

Is University of Bath or University of Southampton better for Electronic & Electrical Engineering?

Electronic & Electrical Engineering graduates earn a median £36,000 three years after graduating from University of Bath, and £40,500 from University of Southampton. Student satisfaction with teaching is 77% at University of Bath and 89% at University of Southampton. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does University of Bath or University of Southampton offer more courses?

University of Southampton lists 545 courses on CourseOptions and University of Bath lists 303 courses.

What can you study at University of Bath but not at University of Southampton?

University of Bath teaches 6 subject areas that University of Southampton does not, including Biotechnology, Natural Sciences, Pharmacy, Childhood & Youth Studies, French and Social Work.

What can you study at University of Southampton but not at University of Bath?

University of Southampton teaches 48 subject areas that University of Bath does not, including General Engineering, Geology & Earth Sciences, Media & Film Studies, Archaeology, History, Design & Fashion, English Literature, Environmental Sciences and 40 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of Bath303 courses · 25 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of Southampton545 courses · 52 scholarshipsBrowse Courses