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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 Nottingham

Nottingham · QS World #97

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

Nottingham

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

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

University of Bristol vs University of Nottingham at a glance

University of Bristol and University of Nottingham both teach 66 subject areas, the largest being Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Computer Science and Physics. University of Bristol offers 479 courses across 83 subject areas; University of Nottingham offers 580 courses across 98 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,300 a year at University of Bristol and £33,000 at University of Nottingham: University of Bristol is about £1,700 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,460 a year at University of Bristol and £30,800 at University of Nottingham: University of Bristol is about £2,340 a year cheaper.

Of the 31 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Bristol is higher in 25 and University of Nottingham in 3, with 3 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £48,000 three years after graduating from University of Bristol, against £36,000 from University of Nottingham. Of the 31 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Bristol is higher in 15 and University of Nottingham in 11, with 5 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#57
QS World
#97
#80
THE World
#145
#13
Guardian UK
#21
1876
Established
1881
Yes
Russell Group
Yes
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 Nottingham

88%
86.6%

Satisfaction

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

£43,100
£40,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

77.4%
79.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

33.6%
21.1%

International

International student share

479
580

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

54
5

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

Nottingham

98 countries · 21.1% international

  • 🇨🇳China42.6%
  • 🇮🇳India9%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia4.4%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4%
  • 🇹🇷Turkey2.7%

Subjects

66 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 Nottingham

Also taught at both: English Studies, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Business & Management (General), Finance & Actuarial Science, Social Policy & Public Policy, Biomedical Sciences, Childhood & Youth Studies, Human Geography & Environment, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Media & Film Studies, Sociology & Criminology, Biochemistry, Music, Geology & Earth Sciences, Linguistics, Veterinary Medicine, Ancient Languages, Archaeology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Public Health & Epidemiology, Social Sciences (General), Accounting, Aerospace Engineering, Classical Studies, Education Studies, General Engineering, History of Art & Design, Physical Geography & Climate, Theology & Religious Studies, Design & Fashion, Film Production & Cinematography, Health & Social Care, Medicine, Pharmacology, Biology, Social Work, Zoology & Animal Biology, Business Studies, Marketing, Welsh Studies, Animal Science, Applied & General Science, Creative Writing, Liberal Arts, Statistics, Eastern European Languages, French, Information Systems & Data Science, Geography (General), Human Resource Management.

Only at University of Bristol

Only at University of Nottingham

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 Nottingham
£33,000

University of Bristol is about £1,700 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Bristol
£28,460
University of Nottingham
£30,800

University of Bristol is about £2,340 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 Nottingham

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£35,500
    83%Satisfaction86%

  • Computer Science

    £48,000Salary (3 years)£36,000
    93%Satisfaction79%

  • Physics

    £34,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    89%Satisfaction88%

  • Economics

    £42,000Salary (3 years)£38,500
    81%Satisfaction83%

  • Mathematics

    £34,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    87%Satisfaction81%

  • Management

    £44,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    84%Satisfaction78%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    89%Satisfaction88%

  • Philosophy

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

  • Law

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£34,000
    87%Satisfaction89%

  • Psychology (General)

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    89%Satisfaction83%

  • Civil Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£31,500
    92%Satisfaction92%

  • History

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    90%Satisfaction89%

Showing the 12 largest of 32 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 Nottingham

Taiwan Research Hub PhD Scholarship 2026/27

£11,000

Deadline: N/A

Molson Coors Award

50%

Deadline: N/A

The Witty Entrepreneurial Scholarship

£750

Deadline: N/A

Hillsborough Trust Memorial Bursary

£500

Deadline: N/A

PhD Scholarships

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Bristol vs University of Nottingham: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,300 a year at University of Bristol and £33,000 at University of Nottingham: University of Bristol is about £1,700 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,460 a year at University of Bristol and £30,800 at University of Nottingham: University of Bristol is about £2,340 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 Nottingham?

Both universities teach 66 subject areas: Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Economics, Mathematics, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Management, Politics & International Relations, Philosophy, Anatomy & Pathology, Law, Psychology (General) and 54 more.

Is University of Bristol or University of Nottingham better for Electronic & Electrical Engineering?

Electronic & Electrical Engineering graduates earn a median £36,000 three years after graduating from University of Bristol, and £35,500 from University of Nottingham. Student satisfaction with teaching is 83% at University of Bristol and 86% at University of Nottingham. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Nottingham lists 580 courses on CourseOptions and University of Bristol lists 479 courses.

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

University of Bristol teaches 17 subject areas that University of Nottingham does not, including Dentistry, Drama & Theatre, Anthropology, Healthcare Science, German & Scandinavian Studies, Humanities, Italian, Plant Sciences and 9 more.

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

University of Nottingham teaches 32 subject areas that University of Bristol does not, including Chemical Engineering, Architecture, Biotechnology, Clinical Specialities, Building & Construction, American & Comparative Studies, Nutrition & Dietetics, Applied Psychology and 24 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 Nottingham580 courses · 5 scholarshipsBrowse Courses