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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 Southampton

Southampton · QS World #111

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.

6/10

Bristol

scored higher in 6 categories

VS

4/10

Southampton

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Bristol leads in 6 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, satisfaction, graduate salary, scholarship). University of Southampton is ahead on established, employment, international, courses.

University of Bristol vs University of Southampton at a glance

University of Bristol and University of Southampton both teach 57 subject areas, the largest being Electronic & Electrical Engineering, General Engineering and Physics. University of Bristol offers 479 courses across 83 subject areas; University of Southampton offers 545 courses across 91 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,300 a year at University of Bristol and £26,000 at University of Southampton: University of Southampton is about £5,300 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,460 a year at University of Bristol and £31,200 at University of Southampton: University of Bristol is about £2,740 a year cheaper.

Of the 37 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Bristol is higher in 29 and University of Southampton in 8. The widest gap is in Management: £44,000 three years after graduating from University of Bristol, against £31,500 from University of Southampton. Of the 39 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Bristol is higher in 20 and University of Southampton 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
#111
#80
THE World
#129
#13
Guardian UK
#16
1876
Established
1862
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 Southampton

88%
87%

Satisfaction

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

£43,100
£37,200

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

77.4%
82.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

33.6%
35.1%

International

International student share

479
545

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

54
52

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

Southampton

103 countries · 35.1% international

  • 🇨🇳China63.5%
  • 🇮🇳India4.8%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia2.8%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia2.6%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.5%

Subjects

57 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 Southampton

Also taught at both: Civil Engineering, Chemistry, Social Policy & Public Policy, Aerospace Engineering, Sociology & Criminology, Media & Film Studies, Philosophy, Accounting, Archaeology, Design & Fashion, Music, Education Studies, Psychology (General), Biochemistry, Marketing, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, English Studies, Physical Geography & Climate, Business Studies, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Medicine, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Healthcare Science, Software Engineering, Biology, Statistics, Human Geography & Environment, Anthropology, Health & Social Care, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Pharmacology, Zoology & Animal Biology, Humanities, Information Systems & Data Science, Liberal Arts, Computing & IT, Creative Writing, Human Resource Management, Information & Library Studies, Social Sciences (General), Specialist Clinical Nursing.

Only at University of Bristol

Only at University of Southampton

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 Southampton
£26,000

University of Southampton is about £5,300 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Bristol
£28,460
University of Southampton
£31,200

University of Bristol is about £2,740 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 Southampton

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£40,500
    83%Satisfaction89%

  • General Engineering

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£34,500
    91%Satisfaction90%

  • Physics

    £34,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    89%Satisfaction87%

  • Mathematics

    £34,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    87%Satisfaction81%

  • Economics

    £42,000Salary (3 years)£34,000
    81%Satisfaction85%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

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

  • Geology & Earth Sciences

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    92%Satisfaction89%

  • Management

    £44,000Salary (3 years)£31,500
    84%Satisfaction90%

  • Computer Science

    £48,000Salary (3 years)£47,000
    93%Satisfaction80%

  • Law

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    87%Satisfaction87%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £35,500Salary (3 years)£34,500
    90%Satisfaction87%

  • History

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    90%Satisfaction91%

Showing the 12 largest of 39 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 Southampton

Horizon Europe fee waiver

100%

Deadline: N/A

Cowrie Foundation Scholarship

£8,000

Deadline: N/A

Xiamen University PhD Scholarships

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sociology Criminology International Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Southampton Ageing & Gerontology Talent Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Bristol vs University of Southampton: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,300 a year at University of Bristol and £26,000 at University of Southampton: University of Southampton is about £5,300 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,460 a year at University of Bristol and £31,200 at University of Southampton: University of Bristol is about £2,740 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 Southampton?

Both universities teach 57 subject areas: Electronic & Electrical Engineering, General Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, Economics, Business & Management (General), Finance & Actuarial Science, Geology & Earth Sciences, Management, Computer Science, Law, Mechanical Engineering and 45 more.

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

Electronic & Electrical Engineering graduates earn a median £36,000 three years after graduating from University of Bristol, and £40,500 from University of Southampton. Student satisfaction with teaching is 83% at University of Bristol and 89% at University of Southampton. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Southampton lists 545 courses on CourseOptions and University of Bristol lists 479 courses.

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

University of Bristol teaches 26 subject areas that University of Southampton does not, including Anatomy & Pathology, Dentistry, Drama & Theatre, Film Production & Cinematography, Social Work, Veterinary Medicine, Classical Studies, History of Art & Design and 18 more.

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

University of Southampton teaches 34 subject areas that University of Bristol does not, including Chemical Engineering, English Literature, Environmental Sciences, Marine Engineering & Technology, Children's Nursing, Clinical & Health Psychology, Community & Specialist Nursing, Adult Nursing and 26 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 Southampton545 courses · 52 scholarshipsBrowse Courses