Skip to main content

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 Chester

Chester · Guardian UK #91

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.

8/10

Bristol

scored higher in 8 categories

VS

2/10

Chester

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Bristol leads in 8 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Chester is ahead on established, employment.

University of Bristol vs University of Chester at a glance

University of Bristol and University of Chester both teach 45 subject areas, the largest being Childhood & Youth Studies, Mathematics and Law. University of Bristol offers 479 courses across 83 subject areas; University of Chester offers 329 courses across 73 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,300 a year at University of Bristol and £14,950 at University of Chester: University of Chester is about £16,350 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,460 a year at University of Bristol and £15,500 at University of Chester: University of Chester is about £12,960 a year cheaper.

Of the 21 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Bristol is higher in 21 and University of Chester in 0. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £48,000 three years after graduating from University of Bristol, against £23,000 from University of Chester. Of the 23 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Bristol is higher in 16 and University of Chester in 7.

World & National Rankings

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

#57
QS World
—
#80
THE World
#1501
#13
Guardian UK
#91
1876
Established
1839
Yes
Russell Group
No
Silver
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 Bristol

University of Chester

88%
83.9%

Satisfaction

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

£43,100
£27,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

77.4%
84.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

33.6%
28.7%

International

International student share

479
329

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

54
3

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

Chester

52 countries · 28.7% international

  • 🇮🇳India32.1%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan26.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria11.7%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka7.1%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh2.8%

Subjects

45 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 Chester

Also taught at both: Music, Archaeology, English Studies, Marketing, Education Studies, Biomedical Sciences, Drama & Theatre, Film Production & Cinematography, Social Work, Software Engineering, General Engineering, Geography (General), Theology & Religious Studies, Media & Film Studies, Medicine, Animal Science, Biology, Business Studies, Creative Writing, Humanities, Information Systems & Data Science, Social Sciences (General), French, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Public Health & Epidemiology, Spanish & Portuguese, Asian Languages & Studies, Computing & IT, Health & Social Care, Information & Library Studies.

Only at University of Bristol

Only at University of Chester

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 Chester
£14,950

University of Chester is about £16,350 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Bristol
£28,460
University of Chester
£15,500

University of Chester is about £12,960 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 Chester

  • Mathematics

    £34,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    87%SatisfactionNo data

  • Law

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    87%Satisfaction89%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    89%Satisfaction86%

  • Psychology (General)

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£20,500
    89%Satisfaction82%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    88%Satisfaction86%

  • Computer Science

    £48,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    93%Satisfaction83%

  • History

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    90%Satisfaction94%

  • Accounting

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    86%Satisfaction88%

  • Design & Fashion

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
    89%Satisfaction82%

  • Ancient Languages

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    91%Satisfaction88%

  • Chemistry

    £35,000Salary (3 years)No data
    88%Satisfaction75%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £40,500Salary (3 years)£21,500
    80%Satisfaction77%

Showing the 12 largest of 24 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 Chester

NHS Learning Support Fund

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

Visit Us Travel Bursary

£100

Deadline: N/A

Futures Employability Fund

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Bristol vs University of Chester: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,300 a year at University of Bristol and £14,950 at University of Chester: University of Chester is about £16,350 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,460 a year at University of Bristol and £15,500 at University of Chester: University of Chester is about £12,960 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 Chester?

Both universities teach 45 subject areas: Childhood & Youth Studies, Mathematics, Law, Politics & International Relations, Psychology (General), Sociology & Criminology, Business & Management (General), Computer Science, History, Accounting, Design & Fashion, Ancient Languages and 33 more.

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

Mathematics graduates earn a median £34,500 three years after graduating from University of Bristol, and £24,000 from University of Chester. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Bristol lists 479 courses on CourseOptions and University of Chester lists 329 courses.

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

University of Bristol teaches 38 subject areas that University of Chester does not, including Economics, Management, Physics, Anatomy & Pathology, Social Policy & Public Policy, Dentistry, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Geology & Earth Sciences and 30 more.

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

University of Chester teaches 28 subject areas that University of Bristol does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Nutrition & Dietetics, Journalism, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Adult Nursing, Mental Health Nursing, Agriculture & Land Management, Counselling & Psychotherapy and 20 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

U
University of Bristol479 courses · 54 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Chester329 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses