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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 Bristol

Bristol · QS World #57

U
University of Cambridge

Cambridge · QS World #6

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

Bristol

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

7/11

Cambridge

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

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

University of Bristol vs University of Cambridge at a glance

University of Bristol and University of Cambridge both teach 59 subject areas, the largest being Mathematics, Economics and Physics. University of Bristol offers 479 courses across 83 subject areas; University of Cambridge offers 336 courses across 79 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,300 a year at University of Bristol and £32,890 at University of Cambridge: University of Bristol is about £1,590 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,460 a year at University of Bristol and £41,300 at University of Cambridge: University of Bristol is about £12,840 a year cheaper.

Of the 18 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Cambridge is higher in 17 and University of Bristol in 1. The widest gap is in Economics: £42,000 three years after graduating from University of Bristol, against £59,500 from University of Cambridge. Of the 18 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Cambridge is higher in 13 and University of Bristol in 5.

World & National Rankings

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

#57
QS World
#6
#80
THE World
#3
#13
Guardian UK
#2
1876
Established
1209
Yes
Russell Group
Yes
Silver
TEF Rating
Gold

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

University of Bristol

University of Cambridge

88%
92.1%

Satisfaction

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

£43,100
£49,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

77.4%
76.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

33.6%
32.2%

International

International student share

479
336

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

54
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.

Bristol

104 countries · 33.6% international

  • 🇨🇳China53.5%
  • 🇮🇳India7.2%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong3.8%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.6%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore2.8%
VS

Cambridge

96 countries · 32.2% international

  • 🇨🇳China28.2%
  • 🇺🇸United States10.3%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore6.6%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5.3%
  • 🇮🇳India4.7%

Subjects

59 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 Bristol

University of Cambridge

Also taught at both: Business & Management (General), Asian Languages & Studies, Chemistry, Psychology (General), Dentistry, English Studies, Geology & Earth Sciences, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Ancient Languages, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Childhood & Youth Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Music, Biochemistry, Education Studies, Archaeology, Biology, Human Geography & Environment, Theology & Religious Studies, Veterinary Medicine, Medicine, Civil Engineering, Classical Studies, History of Art & Design, Media & Film Studies, Anthropology, Eastern European Languages, Welsh Studies, Aerospace Engineering, Creative Writing, Geography (General), Pharmacology, Statistics, Business Studies, Humanities, Information Systems & Data Science, Linguistics, Software Engineering, Zoology & Animal Biology, Animal Science, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Computing & IT, Health & Social Care, Information & Library Studies.

Only at University of Bristol

Only at University of Cambridge

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 Bristol
£31,300
University of Cambridge
£32,890

University of Bristol is about £1,590 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Bristol
£28,460
University of Cambridge
£41,300

University of Bristol is about £12,840 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 Bristol

University of Cambridge

  • Mathematics

    £34,500Salary (3 years)£44,500
    87%Satisfaction94%

  • Economics

    £42,000Salary (3 years)£59,500
    81%Satisfaction86%

  • History

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    90%Satisfaction95%

  • Law

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£49,000
    87%Satisfaction96%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£34,000
    89%SatisfactionNo data

  • Computer Science

    £48,000Salary (3 years)£63,500
    93%Satisfaction94%

  • General Engineering

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£39,500
    91%Satisfaction87%

  • Philosophy

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    91%Satisfaction93%

  • Psychology (General)

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    89%Satisfaction92%

  • English Studies

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    89%Satisfaction96%

  • Ancient Languages

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    91%Satisfaction97%

  • Music

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    99%Satisfaction97%

Showing the 12 largest of 19 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Bristol

Black Heritage PhD Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Black heritage PhD scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Bristol Postgraduate Research Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Bristol Postgraduate Research Scholarships for applicants of Black heritage

100%

Deadline: N/A

British Council scholarships for Women

100%

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

University of Cambridge

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Bristol vs University of Cambridge: common questions

Is University of Bristol or University of Cambridge cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,300 a year at University of Bristol and £32,890 at University of Cambridge: University of Bristol is about £1,590 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,460 a year at University of Bristol and £41,300 at University of Cambridge: University of Bristol is about £12,840 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 Bristol and University of Cambridge?

Both universities teach 59 subject areas: Mathematics, Economics, Physics, Management, History, Law, Politics & International Relations, Anatomy & Pathology, Computer Science, General Engineering, Sociology & Criminology, Electronic & Electrical Engineering and 47 more.

Is University of Bristol or University of Cambridge better for Mathematics?

Mathematics graduates earn a median £34,500 three years after graduating from University of Bristol, and £44,500 from University of Cambridge. Student satisfaction with teaching is 87% at University of Bristol and 94% at University of Cambridge. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does University of Bristol or University of Cambridge offer more courses?

University of Bristol lists 479 courses on CourseOptions and University of Cambridge lists 336 courses.

What can you study at University of Bristol but not at University of Cambridge?

University of Bristol teaches 24 subject areas that University of Cambridge does not, including Accounting, Physical Geography & Climate, Drama & Theatre, Film Production & Cinematography, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Social Work, Design & Fashion, Marketing and 16 more.

What can you study at University of Cambridge but not at University of Bristol?

University of Cambridge teaches 20 subject areas that University of Bristol does not, including Biological Sciences (General), Architecture, Clinical Specialities, Genetics & Genomics, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Chemical Engineering, Celtic Studies, Materials Science and 12 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of Bristol479 courses · 54 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of Cambridge336 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses