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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 Exeter

Devon · QS World #136

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.

7/10

Cambridge

scored higher in 7 categories

VS

3/10

Exeter

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Cambridge leads in 7 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary). University of Exeter is ahead on employment, courses, scholarship.

University of Cambridge vs University of Exeter at a glance

University of Cambridge and University of Exeter both teach 58 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Mathematics and History. University of Cambridge offers 336 courses across 79 subject areas; University of Exeter offers 873 courses across 91 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,890 a year at University of Cambridge and £24,950 at University of Exeter: University of Exeter is about £7,940 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £41,300 a year at University of Cambridge and £25,550 at University of Exeter: University of Exeter is about £15,750 a year cheaper.

Of the 19 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Cambridge is higher in 18 and University of Exeter in 1. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £63,500 three years after graduating from University of Cambridge, against £40,500 from University of Exeter. Of the 17 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Cambridge is higher in 11 and University of Exeter in 5, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#6
QS World
#136
#3
THE World
#170
#2
Guardian UK
#14
1209
Established
1922
Yes
Russell Group
Yes
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 Exeter

92.1%
87.7%

Satisfaction

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

£49,800
£39,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

76.6%
82.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

32.2%
22.2%

International

International student share

336
873

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
2

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

Exeter

111 countries · 22.2% international

  • 🇨🇳China25.1%
  • 🇮🇳India10.9%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong10%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia2.9%
  • 🇺🇸United States2.8%

Subjects

58 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 Exeter

Also taught at both: Computer Science, Economics, History of Art & Design, Archaeology, Human Geography & Environment, Theology & Religious Studies, Psychology (General), Civil Engineering, Media & Film Studies, Childhood & Youth Studies, Ancient Languages, Geology & Earth Sciences, Anatomy & Pathology, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Management, Zoology & Animal Biology, Business Studies, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Clinical Specialities, Geography (General), Biology, Biochemistry, Genetics & Genomics, Anthropology, Creative Writing, Humanities, Information Systems & Data Science, Celtic Studies, Eastern European Languages, Health & Social Care, American & Comparative Studies, Materials Science, Medicine, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Building & Construction, Clinical & Health Psychology, Education Studies, Software Engineering, Statistics, Animal Science, Computing & IT, Landscape Architecture & Design.

Only at University of Cambridge

Only at University of Exeter

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 Exeter
£24,950

University of Exeter is about £7,940 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Cambridge
£41,300
University of Exeter
£25,550

University of Exeter is about £15,750 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 Exeter

  • Politics & International Relations

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    No dataSatisfaction88%

  • Mathematics

    £44,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    94%Satisfaction88%

  • History

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    95%Satisfaction92%

  • Law

    £49,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    96%Satisfaction86%

  • General Engineering

    £39,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    87%Satisfaction59%

  • Classical Studies

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    96%Satisfaction92%

  • English Studies

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    96%Satisfaction92%

  • Philosophy

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    93%Satisfaction89%

  • Biological Sciences (General)

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    91%Satisfaction93%

  • Computer Science

    £63,500Salary (3 years)£40,500
    94%Satisfaction83%

  • Economics

    £59,500Salary (3 years)£40,000
    86%Satisfaction88%

  • History of Art & Design

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    86%Satisfaction87%

Showing the 12 largest of 19 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Cambridge

View all scholarships →

University of Exeter

Bell Burnell Graduate Scholarship Fund

See details

Deadline: N/A

Carolyn and Andrew Trevorrow Memorial Fund Travel Bursaries

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Cambridge vs University of Exeter: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,890 a year at University of Cambridge and £24,950 at University of Exeter: University of Exeter is about £7,940 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £41,300 a year at University of Cambridge and £25,550 at University of Exeter: University of Exeter is about £15,750 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 Exeter?

Both universities teach 58 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Mathematics, History, Physics, Business & Management (General), Law, General Engineering, Classical Studies, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Finance & Actuarial Science, Sociology & Criminology, Biomedical Sciences and 46 more.

Is University of Cambridge or University of Exeter better for Politics & International Relations?

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £34,000 three years after graduating from University of Cambridge, and £30,500 from University of Exeter. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Exeter lists 873 courses on CourseOptions and University of Cambridge lists 336 courses.

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

University of Cambridge teaches 21 subject areas that University of Exeter does not, including Asian Languages & Studies, Architecture, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Veterinary Medicine, Chemistry, Music, Biotechnology, Hospitality, Events & Tourism and 13 more.

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

University of Exeter teaches 33 subject areas that University of Cambridge does not, including Ecology & Conservation, Accounting, Physical Geography & Climate, Environmental Sciences, Mechanical Engineering, Drama & Theatre, Film Production & Cinematography, Public Health & Epidemiology and 25 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
U
University of Exeter873 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses