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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 Cambridge

Cambridge · QS World #6

U
University of Derby

Derby · QS World #1201

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.

8/11

Cambridge

scored higher in 8 categories

VS

3/11

Derby

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Cambridge leads in 8 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary). University of Derby is ahead on employment, courses, scholarship.

University of Cambridge vs University of Derby at a glance

University of Cambridge and University of Derby both teach 40 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Sociology & Criminology and History. University of Cambridge offers 336 courses across 79 subject areas; University of Derby offers 375 courses across 74 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,890 a year at University of Cambridge and £16,900 at University of Derby: University of Derby is about £15,990 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £41,300 a year at University of Cambridge and £17,500 at University of Derby: University of Derby is about £23,800 a year cheaper.

Of the 9 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Cambridge is higher in 9 and University of Derby in 0. The widest gap is in Economics: £59,500 three years after graduating from University of Cambridge, against £22,500 from University of Derby. Of the 9 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Derby is higher in 6 and University of Cambridge in 3.

World & National Rankings

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

#6
QS World
#1201
#3
THE World
#601
#2
Guardian UK
#80
1209
Established
1851
Yes
Russell Group
No
Gold
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 Cambridge

University of Derby

92.1%
88.5%

Satisfaction

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

£49,800
£27,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

76.6%
85.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

32.2%
14.3%

International

International student share

336
375

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
6

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.

Cambridge

96 countries · 32.2% international

  • 🇨🇳China28.2%
  • 🇺🇸United States10.3%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore6.6%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5.3%
  • 🇮🇳India4.7%
VS

Derby

64 countries · 14.3% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria34.5%
  • 🇮🇳India15.3%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan8.1%
  • 🇬🇭Ghana6.5%
  • 🇰🇪Kenya5.5%

Subjects

40 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 Cambridge

University of Derby

Also taught at both: Media & Film Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Mathematics, Civil Engineering, Creative Writing, Education Studies, Clinical Specialities, Computer Science, Health & Social Care, Physics, Biology, Business Studies, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Human Geography & Environment, Management, Music, Building & Construction, Software Engineering, Technology & Logistics, Computing & IT, Geology & Earth Sciences, Humanities, Zoology & Animal Biology, Clinical & Health Psychology, Heritage & Conservation.

Only at University of Cambridge

Only at University of Derby

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 Cambridge
£32,890
University of Derby
£16,900

University of Derby is about £15,990 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Cambridge
£41,300
University of Derby
£17,500

University of Derby is about £23,800 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 Cambridge

University of Derby

  • History

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£19,500
    95%Satisfaction100%

  • Economics

    £59,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    86%Satisfaction93%

  • Law

    £49,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    96%Satisfaction87%

  • Psychology (General)

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    92%Satisfaction90%

  • English Studies

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    96%Satisfaction98%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    No dataSatisfaction90%

  • Architecture

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    88%Satisfaction97%

  • Education Studies

    No dataSalary (3 years)£20,500
    92%Satisfaction98%

  • Computer Science

    £63,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    94%Satisfaction73%

  • Music

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£18,500
    97%Satisfaction99%

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Cambridge

View all scholarships →

University of Derby

Biomedical Science Excellence Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Golding Awards

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sarah Essam Football Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sitwell Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Cambridge vs University of Derby: common questions

Is University of Cambridge or University of Derby cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,890 a year at University of Cambridge and £16,900 at University of Derby: University of Derby is about £15,990 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £41,300 a year at University of Cambridge and £17,500 at University of Derby: University of Derby is about £23,800 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 Cambridge and University of Derby?

Both universities teach 40 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Sociology & Criminology, History, Economics, Law, Psychology (General), Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Childhood & Youth Studies, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biomedical Sciences, English Studies and 28 more.

Is University of Cambridge or University of Derby better for History?

History graduates earn a median £32,000 three years after graduating from University of Cambridge, and £19,500 from University of Derby. Student satisfaction with teaching is 95% at University of Cambridge and 100% at University of Derby. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does University of Cambridge or University of Derby offer more courses?

University of Derby lists 375 courses on CourseOptions and University of Cambridge lists 336 courses.

What can you study at University of Cambridge but not at University of Derby?

University of Cambridge teaches 39 subject areas that University of Derby does not, including Biological Sciences (General), Asian Languages & Studies, Archaeology, Philosophy, Genetics & Genomics, Theology & Religious Studies, Anatomy & Pathology, Astronomy & Astrophysics and 31 more.

What can you study at University of Derby but not at University of Cambridge?

University of Derby teaches 34 subject areas that University of Cambridge does not, including Design & Fashion, Marketing, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Accounting, Adult Nursing, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Games Design & Computer Animation, Journalism and 26 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

U
University of Cambridge336 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of Derby375 courses · 6 scholarshipsBrowse Courses