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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.

U
University of Brighton

Brighton · QS World #901

U
University of the West of Scotland

Paisley · Guardian UK #115

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.

6/8

Brighton

scored higher in 6 categories

VS

2/8

West of Scotland

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Brighton leads in 6 of 8 categories where both have data (ranking, established, employment, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of the West of Scotland is ahead on satisfaction, international.

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

University of Brighton and University of the West of Scotland both teach 37 subject areas, the largest being Business Studies, Design & Fashion and Childhood & Youth Studies. University of Brighton offers 255 courses across 71 subject areas; University of the West of Scotland offers 119 courses across 49 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,250 a year at University of Brighton and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £1,750 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,790 a year at University of Brighton and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £2,510 a year cheaper.

Of the 21 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Brighton is higher in 17 and University of the West of Scotland in 3, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Health Sciences & Paramedic Science: £31,500 three years after graduating from University of Brighton, against £24,500 from University of the West of Scotland. Of the 19 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of the West of Scotland is higher in 14 and University of Brighton in 5.

World & National Rankings

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

#901
QS World
—
#601
THE World
#601
#68
Guardian UK
#115
1858
Established
1897
No
Russell Group
No
Silver
TEF Rating
—

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

University of Brighton

University of the West of Scotland

84.1%
89%

Satisfaction

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

£32,800
£31,134.9

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.4%
81.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

14.3%
30.3%

International

International student share

255
119

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

22
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.

Brighton

93 countries · 14.3% international

  • 🇮🇳India12.1%
  • 🇨🇳China7.2%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria5%
  • 🇺🇸United States5%
  • 🇪🇬Egypt3.6%
VS

West of Scotland

33 countries · 30.3% international

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

Subjects

37 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 Brighton

University of the West of Scotland

Also taught at both: Computing & IT, Journalism, Politics & International Relations, Social Sciences (General), Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Marketing, Mechanical Engineering, Media & Film Studies, Sociology & Criminology, Health & Social Care, Music, Environmental Sciences, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Mental Health Nursing, Psychology (General), Adult Nursing, Education Studies, Mathematics, Midwifery, Nursing (General), Technology & Logistics.

Only at University of Brighton

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 Brighton
£17,250
University of the West of Scotland
£15,500

University of the West of Scotland is about £1,750 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Brighton
£18,790
University of the West of Scotland
£16,280

University of the West of Scotland is about £2,510 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 Brighton

University of the West of Scotland

  • Business Studies

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    78%Satisfaction75%

  • Design & Fashion

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£17,500
    80%Satisfaction91%

  • Teacher Training

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    93%Satisfaction94%

  • General Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    82%Satisfaction92%

  • Health Sciences & Paramedic Science

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    95%Satisfaction99%

  • Accounting

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    77%Satisfaction86%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    87%Satisfaction80%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    85%Satisfaction91%

  • Law

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    88%SatisfactionNo data

  • Social Work

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    91%Satisfaction88%

  • Aerospace Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    98%Satisfaction100%

  • Journalism

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£19,500
    71%Satisfaction87%

Showing the 12 largest of 21 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Brighton

Ruby Lee Progression scholarship

100%

Deadline: Jun 2026

University of Brighton outreach progression scholarships

£6,000

Deadline: N/A

Royal Town Planning Institute scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

Vice-Chancellor Scholarships

£4,000

Deadline: N/A

Widening Access Bursary

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

University of the West of Scotland

View all scholarships →

FAQ

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

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,250 a year at University of Brighton and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £1,750 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,790 a year at University of Brighton and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £2,510 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 Brighton and University of the West of Scotland?

Both universities teach 37 subject areas: Business Studies, Design & Fashion, Childhood & Youth Studies, Teacher Training, General Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Accounting, Applied Psychology, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Business & Management (General), Human Geography & Environment and 25 more.

Is University of Brighton or University of the West of Scotland better for Business Studies?

Business Studies graduates earn a median £27,500 three years after graduating from University of Brighton, and £21,000 from University of the West of Scotland. Student satisfaction with teaching is 78% at University of Brighton and 75% 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 Brighton or University of the West of Scotland offer more courses?

University of Brighton lists 255 courses on CourseOptions and University of the West of Scotland lists 119 courses.

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

University of Brighton teaches 34 subject areas that University of the West of Scotland does not, including Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Building & Construction, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Architecture, Pharmacy, Counselling & Psychotherapy and 26 more.

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

University of the West of Scotland teaches 12 subject areas that University of Brighton does not, including Applied Computing, Business Information Systems, Chemistry, Physics, Community & Specialist Nursing, Public Health & Epidemiology, Zoology & Animal Biology, Creative Arts (General) and 4 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of Brighton255 courses · 22 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of the West of Scotland119 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses