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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 Plymouth

Plymouth · QS World #691

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 12 datapoints

We looked at 12 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

9/12

Bristol

scored higher in 9 categories

VS

3/12

Plymouth

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Bristol leads in 9 of 12 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Plymouth is ahead on TEF, established, employment.

University of Bristol vs University of Plymouth at a glance

University of Bristol and University of Plymouth both teach 49 subject areas, the largest being Mathematics, Geology & Earth Sciences and Management. University of Bristol offers 479 courses across 83 subject areas; University of Plymouth offers 310 courses across 78 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,300 a year at University of Bristol and £19,200 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £12,100 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,460 a year at University of Bristol and £19,500 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £8,960 a year cheaper.

Of the 32 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Bristol is higher in 29 and University of Plymouth in 2, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Management: £44,000 three years after graduating from University of Bristol, against £24,000 from University of Plymouth. Of the 30 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Bristol is higher in 14 and University of Plymouth in 14, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#57
QS World
#691
#80
THE World
#501
#13
Guardian UK
#56
1876
Established
1862
Yes
Russell Group
No
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 Plymouth

88%
86.6%

Satisfaction

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

£43,100
£30,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

77.4%
84.2%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

33.6%
11.9%

International

International student share

479
310

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

54
10

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

Plymouth

71 countries · 11.9% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria14.6%
  • 🇨🇳China12.2%
  • 🇮🇳India11%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.7%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka3.3%

Subjects

49 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 Plymouth

Also taught at both: Design & Fashion, English Studies, History, Sociology & Criminology, Biomedical Sciences, Education Studies, Film Production & Cinematography, Accounting, Finance & Actuarial Science, General Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Music, Business Studies, Drama & Theatre, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Human Geography & Environment, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Marketing, Medicine, Social Work, Statistics, Anthropology, Biology, Creative Writing, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Media & Film Studies, Software Engineering, Zoology & Animal Biology, Childhood & Youth Studies, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Geography (General), Human Resource Management, Social Sciences (General), Specialist Clinical Nursing.

Only at University of Bristol

Only at University of Plymouth

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 Plymouth
£19,200

University of Plymouth is about £12,100 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Bristol
£28,460
University of Plymouth
£19,500

University of Plymouth is about £8,960 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 Plymouth

  • Mathematics

    £34,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    87%Satisfaction86%

  • Geology & Earth Sciences

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    92%Satisfaction91%

  • Management

    £44,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    84%SatisfactionNo data

  • Economics

    £42,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    81%Satisfaction91%

  • Law

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£21,500
    87%Satisfaction84%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    89%Satisfaction86%

  • Computer Science

    £48,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    93%Satisfaction72%

  • Psychology (General)

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£21,500
    89%Satisfaction84%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    83%Satisfaction91%

  • Anatomy & Pathology

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    90%Satisfaction87%

  • Dentistry

    £47,000Salary (3 years)£48,000
    98%Satisfaction95%

  • Physical Geography & Climate

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    92%Satisfaction94%

Showing the 12 largest of 33 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 Plymouth

GREAT Scholarships

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

International Undergraduate Welcome to Plymouth Scholarship

£6,000

Deadline: N/A

Tamar Engineering Project

£4,500

Deadline: Jun 2026

International Postgraduate Welcome to Plymouth Scholarship

£4,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Bristol vs University of Plymouth: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,300 a year at University of Bristol and £19,200 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £12,100 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,460 a year at University of Bristol and £19,500 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £8,960 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 Plymouth?

Both universities teach 49 subject areas: Mathematics, Geology & Earth Sciences, Management, Economics, Law, Politics & International Relations, Business & Management (General), Computer Science, Psychology (General), Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Anatomy & Pathology, Dentistry and 37 more.

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

Mathematics graduates earn a median £34,500 three years after graduating from University of Bristol, and £25,000 from University of Plymouth. Student satisfaction with teaching is 87% at University of Bristol and 86% at University of Plymouth. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Bristol lists 479 courses on CourseOptions and University of Plymouth lists 310 courses.

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

University of Bristol teaches 34 subject areas that University of Plymouth does not, including Physics, Social Policy & Public Policy, Ancient Languages, Biochemistry, Philosophy, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Veterinary Medicine, Classical Studies and 26 more.

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

University of Plymouth teaches 29 subject areas that University of Bristol does not, including Ecology & Conservation, Adult Nursing, Nutrition & Dietetics, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Marine Engineering & Technology, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Building & Construction and 21 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 Plymouth310 courses · 10 scholarshipsBrowse Courses