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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 Exeter

Devon · QS World #136

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.

8/11

Bristol

scored higher in 8 categories

VS

3/11

Exeter

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Bristol leads in 8 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, scholarship). University of Exeter is ahead on TEF, employment, courses.

University of Bristol vs University of Exeter at a glance

University of Bristol and University of Exeter both teach 61 subject areas, the largest being Mathematics, Politics & International Relations and Physics. University of Bristol offers 479 courses across 83 subject areas; University of Exeter offers 873 courses across 91 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,300 a year at University of Bristol and £24,950 at University of Exeter: University of Exeter is about £6,350 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,460 a year at University of Bristol and £25,550 at University of Exeter: University of Exeter is about £2,910 a year cheaper.

Of the 33 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Bristol is higher in 23 and University of Exeter in 7, with 3 about level. The widest gap is in Accounting: £33,000 three years after graduating from University of Bristol, against £43,500 from University of Exeter. Of the 35 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Bristol is higher in 16 and University of Exeter in 15, with 4 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#57
QS World
#136
#80
THE World
#170
#13
Guardian UK
#14
1876
Established
1922
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 Exeter

88%
87.7%

Satisfaction

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

£43,100
£39,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

77.4%
82.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

33.6%
22.2%

International

International student share

479
873

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

54
2

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

Exeter

111 countries · 22.2% international

  • 🇨🇳China25.1%
  • 🇮🇳India10.9%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong10%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia2.9%
  • 🇺🇸United States2.8%

Subjects

61 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 Exeter

Also taught at both: Anatomy & Pathology, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Geology & Earth Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, History of Art & Design, Psychology (General), Ancient Languages, Civil Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Human Geography & Environment, Theology & Religious Studies, Media & Film Studies, Accounting, Archaeology, Biochemistry, Physical Geography & Climate, Drama & Theatre, Film Production & Cinematography, Zoology & Animal Biology, Business Studies, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Mechanical Engineering, Education Studies, Marketing, Anthropology, Biology, Childhood & Youth Studies, Geography (General), Medicine, Humanities, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Public Health & Epidemiology, Creative Writing, Health & Social Care, Human Resource Management, Information Systems & Data Science, Liberal Arts, Statistics, Eastern European Languages, French, German & Scandinavian Studies, Italian, Social Sciences (General), Animal Science, Computing & IT, Software Engineering.

Only at University of Bristol

Only at University of Exeter

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 Exeter
£24,950

University of Exeter is about £6,350 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Bristol
£28,460
University of Exeter
£25,550

University of Exeter is about £2,910 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 Exeter

  • Mathematics

    £34,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    87%Satisfaction88%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    89%Satisfaction88%

  • Physics

    £34,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    89%Satisfaction94%

  • Law

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    87%Satisfaction86%

  • Economics

    £42,000Salary (3 years)£40,000
    81%Satisfaction88%

  • History

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    90%Satisfaction92%

  • English Studies

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    89%Satisfaction92%

  • Computer Science

    £48,000Salary (3 years)£40,500
    93%Satisfaction83%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £40,500Salary (3 years)£39,000
    80%Satisfaction84%

  • Classical Studies

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    90%Satisfaction92%

  • Philosophy

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
    91%Satisfaction89%

  • General Engineering

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    91%Satisfaction59%

Showing the 12 largest of 35 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 Exeter

Bell Burnell Graduate Scholarship Fund

See details

Deadline: N/A

Carolyn and Andrew Trevorrow Memorial Fund Travel Bursaries

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Bristol vs University of Exeter: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,300 a year at University of Bristol and £24,950 at University of Exeter: University of Exeter is about £6,350 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,460 a year at University of Bristol and £25,550 at University of Exeter: University of Exeter is about £2,910 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 Exeter?

Both universities teach 61 subject areas: Mathematics, Politics & International Relations, Physics, Law, Economics, Business & Management (General), History, English Studies, Computer Science, Finance & Actuarial Science, Classical Studies, Philosophy and 49 more.

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

Mathematics graduates earn a median £34,500 three years after graduating from University of Bristol, and £32,500 from University of Exeter. Student satisfaction with teaching is 87% at University of Bristol and 88% at University of Exeter. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Exeter lists 873 courses on CourseOptions and University of Bristol lists 479 courses.

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

University of Bristol teaches 22 subject areas that University of Exeter does not, including Social Policy & Public Policy, Dentistry, Chemistry, Music, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Social Work, Veterinary Medicine, Design & Fashion and 14 more.

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

University of Exeter teaches 30 subject areas that University of Bristol does not, including Ecology & Conservation, Chemical Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Safety & Mining Engineering, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Applied Biology & Human Biology, Biological Sciences (General), Clinical Specialities and 22 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 Exeter873 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses