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.
Bath · QS World #125
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.
6/10
Bath
scored higher in 6 categories
4/10
West of Scotland
scored higher in 4 categories
Quick Verdict
University of Bath leads in 6 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of the West of Scotland is ahead on established, satisfaction, employment, international.
University of Bath vs University of the West of Scotland at a glance
University of Bath and University of the West of Scotland both teach 24 subject areas, the largest being Mechanical Engineering, Physics and Chemistry. University of Bath offers 303 courses across 49 subject areas; University of the West of Scotland offers 119 courses across 49 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,000 a year at University of Bath and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £16,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,500 a year at University of Bath and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £13,220 a year cheaper.
Of the 11 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Bath is higher in 10 and University of the West of Scotland in 0, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Accounting: £40,000 three years after graduating from University of Bath, 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 8 and University of Bath in 3.
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 of Bath
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.
Bath
96 countries · 23.8% international
- 🇮🇳India15.2%
- 🇨🇳China9.7%
- 🇭🇰Hong Kong8.2%
- 🇹🇭Thailand7.1%
- 🇪🇸Spain5.2%
West of Scotland
33 countries · 30.3% international
- 🇵🇰Pakistan36.2%
- 🌐Nepal20.4%
- 🇮🇳India19.3%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria7.4%
- 🇧🇩Bangladesh5.3%
Subjects
24 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 the West of Scotland
Mechanical Engineering
22 coursesTypical fee £32,000 (UG)
1 courseTypical fee £18,000 (UG)
Physics
16 coursesTypical fee £32,000 (UG)
3 coursesTypical fee £18,000 (UG)
Chemistry
13 coursesTypical fee £32,000 (UG)
5 coursesTypical fee £15,500 (UG)
Mathematics
17 coursesTypical fee £32,000 (UG)
1 courseTypical fee £18,000 (UG)
Politics & International Relations
13 coursesTypical fee £27,030 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £13,630 (PG)
Electronic & Electrical Engineering
13 coursesTypical fee £32,000 (UG)
1 courseTypical fee £18,000 (UG)
Sport & Exercise Sciences
10 coursesTypical fee £32,000 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £18,000 (UG)
Business Information Systems
Sociology & Criminology
Business Studies
Teacher Training
Social Sciences (General)
Accounting
Education Studies
Psychology (General)
Also taught at both: Biomedical Sciences, Business & Management (General), Aerospace Engineering, Biology, Childhood & Youth Studies, Applied Psychology, Health & Social Care, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Social Work.
Only at University of Bath
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 of Bath
- £32,000
- University of the West of Scotland
- £15,500
University of the West of Scotland is about £16,500 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- University of Bath
- £29,500
- University of the West of Scotland
- £16,280
University of the West of Scotland is about £13,220 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 the West of Scotland
Mechanical Engineering
£36,000Salary (3 years)£25,50092%Satisfaction89%Physics
£35,500Salary (3 years)£23,00089%Satisfaction95%Chemistry
£32,000Salary (3 years)£23,00094%Satisfaction95%Electronic & Electrical Engineering
£36,000Salary (3 years)£26,50077%Satisfaction80%Sport & Exercise Sciences
£26,000Salary (3 years)£21,00093%Satisfaction91%Sociology & Criminology
£29,500Salary (3 years)£23,00087%SatisfactionNo dataSocial Sciences (General)
£30,500Salary (3 years)£23,00085%Satisfaction95%Accounting
£40,000Salary (3 years)£21,00094%Satisfaction86%Education Studies
No dataSalary (3 years)No data89%Satisfaction96%Aerospace Engineering
£34,000Salary (3 years)£30,50094%Satisfaction100%Biology
£31,500Salary (3 years)£20,50094%Satisfaction99%Social Work
£30,500Salary (3 years)£30,50086%Satisfaction88%
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveUniversity 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
University of the West of Scotland
View all scholarships →FAQ
University of Bath vs University of the West of Scotland: common questions
Is University of Bath or University of the West of Scotland cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,000 a year at University of Bath and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £16,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,500 a year at University of Bath and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £13,220 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 the West of Scotland?
Both universities teach 24 subject areas: Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Politics & International Relations, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Business Information Systems, Sociology & Criminology, Business Studies, Teacher Training, Social Sciences (General) and 12 more.
Is University of Bath or University of the West of Scotland better for Mechanical Engineering?
Mechanical Engineering graduates earn a median £36,000 three years after graduating from University of Bath, and £25,500 from University of the West of Scotland. Student satisfaction with teaching is 92% at University of Bath and 89% at University of the West of Scotland. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does University of Bath or University of the West of Scotland offer more courses?
University of Bath lists 303 courses on CourseOptions and University of the West of Scotland lists 119 courses.
What can you study at University of Bath but not at University of the West of Scotland?
University of Bath teaches 25 subject areas that University of the West of Scotland does not, including Computer Science, Economics, Civil Engineering, Biochemistry, International Development, Management, Chemical Engineering, Ancient Languages and 17 more.
What can you study at University of the West of Scotland but not at University of Bath?
University of the West of Scotland teaches 25 subject areas that University of Bath does not, including Applied Computing, Computing & IT, General Engineering, Community & Specialist Nursing, Design & Fashion, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Journalism, Law and 17 more.
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