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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 the West of Scotland

Paisley · Guardian UK #115

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

West of Scotland

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

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

University of Bristol vs University of the West of Scotland at a glance

University of Bristol and University of the West of Scotland both teach 31 subject areas, the largest being Mathematics, Physics and Law. University of Bristol offers 479 courses across 83 subject areas; University of the West of Scotland offers 119 courses across 49 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,300 a year at University of Bristol and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £15,800 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,460 a year at University of Bristol and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £12,180 a year cheaper.

Of the 15 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Bristol is higher in 15 and University of the West of Scotland in 0. The widest gap is in Business Studies: £40,500 three years after graduating from University of Bristol, against £21,000 from University of the West of Scotland. Of the 13 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of the West of Scotland is higher in 8 and University of Bristol in 4, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#57
QS World
—
#80
THE World
#601
#13
Guardian UK
#115
1876
Established
1897
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 the West of Scotland

88%
89%

Satisfaction

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

£43,100
£31,134.9

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

77.4%
81.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

33.6%
30.3%

International

International student share

479
119

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

54
0

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

West of Scotland

33 countries · 30.3% international

  • 🇵🇰Pakistan36.2%
  • 🌐Nepal20.4%
  • 🇮🇳India19.3%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria7.4%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh5.3%

Subjects

31 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 the West of Scotland

Also taught at both: Biomedical Sciences, Computing & IT, Design & Fashion, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Aerospace Engineering, Biology, Human Geography & Environment, Marketing, Mechanical Engineering, Media & Film Studies, Childhood & Youth Studies, Healthcare Science, Social Sciences (General), Zoology & Animal Biology, Health & Social Care, Public Health & Epidemiology.

Only at University of Bristol

Only at University of the West of Scotland

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 the West of Scotland
£15,500

University of the West of Scotland is about £15,800 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Bristol
£28,460
University of the West of Scotland
£16,280

University of the West of Scotland is about £12,180 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 the West of Scotland

  • Physics

    £34,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    89%Satisfaction95%

  • Law

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    87%SatisfactionNo data

  • Chemistry

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    88%Satisfaction95%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    83%Satisfaction80%

  • General Engineering

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    91%Satisfaction92%

  • Accounting

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    86%Satisfaction86%

  • Business Studies

    £40,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    84%Satisfaction75%

  • Music

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£18,500
    99%Satisfaction90%

  • Education Studies

    No dataSalary (3 years)No data
    88%Satisfaction96%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    88%SatisfactionNo data

  • Social Work

    £34,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    82%Satisfaction88%

  • Design & Fashion

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£17,500
    89%Satisfaction91%

Showing the 12 largest of 16 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 the West of Scotland

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Bristol vs University of the West of Scotland: common questions

Is University of Bristol or University of the West of Scotland cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,300 a year at University of Bristol and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £15,800 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,460 a year at University of Bristol and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £12,180 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 the West of Scotland?

Both universities teach 31 subject areas: Mathematics, Physics, Law, Politics & International Relations, Chemistry, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, General Engineering, Accounting, Business Studies, Business & Management (General), Music, Psychology (General) and 19 more.

Is University of Bristol or University of the West of Scotland better for Physics?

Physics graduates earn a median £34,500 three years after graduating from University of Bristol, and £23,000 from University of the West of Scotland. Student satisfaction with teaching is 89% at University of Bristol and 95% at University of the West of Scotland. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does University of Bristol or University of the West of Scotland offer more courses?

University of Bristol lists 479 courses on CourseOptions and University of the West of Scotland lists 119 courses.

What can you study at University of Bristol but not at University of the West of Scotland?

University of Bristol teaches 52 subject areas that University of the West of Scotland does not, including Economics, Management, Anatomy & Pathology, Computer Science, Social Policy & Public Policy, Dentistry, Geology & Earth Sciences, History and 44 more.

What can you study at University of the West of Scotland but not at University of Bristol?

University of the West of Scotland teaches 18 subject areas that University of Bristol does not, including Teacher Training, Applied Computing, Business Information Systems, Applied Psychology, Community & Specialist Nursing, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Journalism, Sport & Exercise Sciences and 10 more.

Ready to explore courses?

Browse available courses, check entry requirements, and find scholarships at each university.

U
University of Bristol479 courses · 54 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of the West of Scotland119 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses