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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 Oxford

Oxford · QS World #4

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.

2/11

Bristol

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

9/11

Oxford

scored higher in 9 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Oxford leads in 9 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, TEF, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses). University of Bristol is ahead on employment, scholarship.

University of Bristol vs University of Oxford at a glance

University of Bristol and University of Oxford both teach 62 subject areas, the largest being History, Classical Studies and English Studies. University of Bristol offers 479 courses across 83 subject areas; University of Oxford offers 642 courses across 79 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,300 a year at University of Bristol and £43,600 at University of Oxford: University of Bristol is about £12,300 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,460 a year at University of Bristol and £38,430 at University of Oxford: University of Bristol is about £9,970 a year cheaper.

Of the 23 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Oxford is higher in 22 and University of Bristol in 1. The widest gap is in Law: £35,000 three years after graduating from University of Bristol, against £52,500 from University of Oxford. Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Oxford is higher in 12 and University of Bristol in 7, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#57
QS World
#4
#80
THE World
#1
#13
Guardian UK
#1
1876
Established
1096
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 Oxford

88%
92.5%

Satisfaction

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

£43,100
£50,000

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

77.4%
76.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

33.6%
37.2%

International

International student share

479
642

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

54
1

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

Oxford

118 countries · 37.2% international

  • 🇨🇳China18.2%
  • 🇺🇸United States16.8%
  • 🇩🇪Germany5.6%
  • 🇮🇳India5.2%
  • 🇨🇦Canada4.6%

Subjects

62 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 Oxford

Also taught at both: General Engineering, Italian, Management, Anatomy & Pathology, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Theology & Religious Studies, Linguistics, Social Policy & Public Policy, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Music, Biochemistry, Philosophy, Psychology (General), Chemistry, Geology & Earth Sciences, Asian Languages & Studies, Business & Management (General), Finance & Actuarial Science, Sociology & Criminology, Biomedical Sciences, Biology, Physical Geography & Climate, Social Work, Anthropology, Archaeology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Education Studies, Welsh Studies, Civil Engineering, Film Production & Cinematography, Medicine, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Statistics, Human Geography & Environment, History of Art & Design, Pharmacology, Design & Fashion, Health & Social Care, Public Health & Epidemiology, Social Sciences (General), Business Studies, Humanities, Media & Film Studies, Computing & IT, Information & Library Studies, Software Engineering, Geography (General).

Only at University of Bristol

Only at University of Oxford

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 Oxford
£43,600

University of Bristol is about £12,300 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Bristol
£28,460
University of Oxford
£38,430

University of Bristol is about £9,970 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 Oxford

  • History

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    90%Satisfaction96%

  • Classical Studies

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

  • English Studies

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    89%Satisfaction97%

  • Physics

    £34,500Salary (3 years)£43,000
    89%Satisfaction94%

  • Economics

    £42,000Salary (3 years)£46,000
    81%Satisfaction93%

  • Mathematics

    £34,500Salary (3 years)£43,000
    87%Satisfaction91%

  • Law

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£52,500
    87%SatisfactionNo data

  • Politics & International Relations

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£38,500
    89%Satisfaction89%

  • Ancient Languages

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    91%Satisfaction85%

  • Computer Science

    £48,000Salary (3 years)£51,500
    93%Satisfaction92%

  • General Engineering

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£40,500
    91%Satisfaction84%

  • Theology & Religious Studies

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    91%Satisfaction97%

Showing the 12 largest of 23 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 Oxford

The Rhodes Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Bristol vs University of Oxford: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,300 a year at University of Bristol and £43,600 at University of Oxford: University of Bristol is about £12,300 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,460 a year at University of Bristol and £38,430 at University of Oxford: University of Bristol is about £9,970 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 Oxford?

Both universities teach 62 subject areas: History, Classical Studies, English Studies, Physics, Childhood & Youth Studies, Spanish & Portuguese, Economics, Mathematics, Law, Politics & International Relations, Eastern European Languages, German & Scandinavian Studies and 50 more.

Is University of Bristol or University of Oxford better for History?

History graduates earn a median £28,500 three years after graduating from University of Bristol, and £33,000 from University of Oxford. Student satisfaction with teaching is 90% at University of Bristol and 96% at University of Oxford. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Oxford lists 642 courses on CourseOptions and University of Bristol lists 479 courses.

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

University of Bristol teaches 21 subject areas that University of Oxford does not, including Dentistry, Accounting, Drama & Theatre, Veterinary Medicine, Marketing, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Healthcare Science and 13 more.

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

University of Oxford teaches 17 subject areas that University of Bristol does not, including African & Middle Eastern Studies, Clinical Specialities, Materials Science, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Building & Construction, English Literature, Genetics & Genomics, Celtic Studies and 9 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 Oxford642 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses