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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.

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University of Bristol

Bristol · QS World #57

U
University of St Andrews

St Andrews · QS World #115

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.

5/11

Bristol

scored higher in 5 categories

VS

6/11

St Andrews

scored higher in 6 categories

Quick Verdict

University of St Andrews leads in 6 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, international, courses, scholarship). University of Bristol is ahead on ranking, Russell Group, employment, graduate salary.

University of Bristol vs University of St Andrews at a glance

University of Bristol and University of St Andrews both teach 52 subject areas, the largest being French, German & Scandinavian Studies and History. University of Bristol offers 479 courses across 83 subject areas; University of St Andrews offers 1,157 courses across 64 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,300 a year at University of Bristol and £30,160 at University of St Andrews: University of St Andrews is about £1,140 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,460 a year at University of Bristol and £27,200 at University of St Andrews: University of St Andrews is about £1,260 a year cheaper.

Of the 25 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Bristol is higher in 14 and University of St Andrews in 8, with 3 about level. The widest gap is in Medicine: £47,000 three years after graduating from University of Bristol, against £35,000 from University of St Andrews. Of the 23 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of St Andrews is higher in 17 and University of Bristol in 3, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#57
QS World
#115
#80
THE World
#162
#13
Guardian UK
#3
1876
Established
1413
Yes
Russell Group
No
Silver
TEF Rating
—

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 St Andrews

88%
93.2%

Satisfaction

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

£43,100
£40,000

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

77.4%
74.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

33.6%
46.1%

International

International student share

479
1157

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

54
62

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

St Andrews

89 countries · 46.1% international

  • 🇺🇸United States42.3%
  • 🇨🇳China9%
  • 🇩🇪Germany4%
  • 🇮🇳India4%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong3.2%

Subjects

52 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 St Andrews

Also taught at both: Media & Film Studies, Biology, Chemistry, Geography (General), Physics, Philosophy, Psychology (General), Spanish & Portuguese, Geology & Earth Sciences, Law, Physical Geography & Climate, Education Studies, Medicine, Anthropology, Biochemistry, Finance & Actuarial Science, Business & Management (General), Statistics, Sociology & Criminology, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Asian Languages & Studies, Biomedical Sciences, Human Geography & Environment, Marketing, Childhood & Youth Studies, Creative Writing, Information & Library Studies, Zoology & Animal Biology, Business Studies, Humanities, Liberal Arts, Animal Science, Applied & General Science, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Computing & IT, Software Engineering.

Only at University of Bristol

Only at University of St Andrews

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 St Andrews
£30,160

University of St Andrews is about £1,140 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Bristol
£28,460
University of St Andrews
£27,200

University of St Andrews is about £1,260 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 St Andrews

  • History

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£28,500
    90%Satisfaction97%

  • Ancient Languages

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    91%Satisfaction100%

  • Economics

    £42,000Salary (3 years)£39,000
    81%Satisfaction93%

  • Classical Studies

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    90%Satisfaction97%

  • Mathematics

    £34,500Salary (3 years)£36,500
    87%Satisfaction94%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    89%Satisfaction95%

  • History of Art & Design

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    91%Satisfaction94%

  • English Studies

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    89%Satisfaction92%

  • Management

    £44,000Salary (3 years)£37,500
    84%SatisfactionNo data

  • Theology & Religious Studies

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    91%Satisfaction97%

  • Computer Science

    £48,000Salary (3 years)£51,500
    93%Satisfaction93%

  • Biology

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    97%Satisfaction96%

Showing the 12 largest of 25 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 St Andrews

Applied Environmental Sciences MSc Awards - Women in Mining (WIM) UK

100%

Deadline: Jun 2026

Environmental Science MSc Awards - The Cunningham Scholarship UK

100%

Deadline: Jun 2026

Masters funding in Digital Health and Care

£10,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

School of Modern Languages Masters Scholarship

100%

Deadline: May 2026

University of Jordan Postgraduate Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Bristol vs University of St Andrews: common questions

Is University of Bristol or University of St Andrews cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,300 a year at University of Bristol and £30,160 at University of St Andrews: University of St Andrews is about £1,140 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,460 a year at University of Bristol and £27,200 at University of St Andrews: University of St Andrews is about £1,260 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 St Andrews?

Both universities teach 52 subject areas: French, German & Scandinavian Studies, History, Ancient Languages, Italian, Economics, Classical Studies, Mathematics, Politics & International Relations, History of Art & Design, English Studies, Management and 40 more.

Is University of Bristol or University of St Andrews better for History?

History graduates earn a median £28,500 three years after graduating from University of Bristol, and £28,500 from University of St Andrews. Student satisfaction with teaching is 90% at University of Bristol and 97% at University of St Andrews. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does University of Bristol or University of St Andrews offer more courses?

University of St Andrews lists 1,157 courses on CourseOptions and University of Bristol lists 479 courses.

What can you study at University of Bristol but not at University of St Andrews?

University of Bristol teaches 31 subject areas that University of St Andrews does not, including Anatomy & Pathology, Social Policy & Public Policy, Dentistry, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Accounting, Music, Drama & Theatre, Film Production & Cinematography and 23 more.

What can you study at University of St Andrews but not at University of Bristol?

University of St Andrews teaches 12 subject areas that University of Bristol does not, including African & Middle Eastern Studies, Teacher Training, Combined & General Studies, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Ecology & Conservation, Materials Science, Agriculture & Land Management, English Literature and 4 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 St Andrews1,157 courses · 62 scholarshipsBrowse Courses