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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 Glasgow

Glasgow · QS World #80

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

Cambridge

scored higher in 6 categories

VS

4/10

Glasgow

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

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

University of Cambridge vs University of Glasgow at a glance

University of Cambridge and University of Glasgow both teach 63 subject areas, the largest being History, Mathematics and Management. University of Cambridge offers 336 courses across 79 subject areas; University of Glasgow offers 1,022 courses across 97 subject areas.

For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £41,300 a year at University of Cambridge and £15,160 at University of Glasgow: University of Glasgow is about £26,140 a year cheaper.

Of the 18 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Cambridge is higher in 18 and University of Glasgow in 0. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £63,500 three years after graduating from University of Cambridge, against £32,500 from University of Glasgow. Of the 15 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Cambridge is higher in 11 and University of Glasgow in 3, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#6
QS World
#80
#3
THE World
#84
#2
Guardian UK
#12
1209
Established
1451
Yes
Russell Group
Yes
Gold
TEF Rating
—

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 Glasgow

92.1%
86.1%

Satisfaction

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

£49,800
£36,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

76.6%
81.9%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

32.2%
35.9%

International

International student share

336
1022

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
4

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

Glasgow

121 countries · 35.9% international

  • 🇨🇳China51.9%
  • 🇺🇸United States7.4%
  • 🇮🇳India7%
  • 🌐Kuwait1.7%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong1.5%

Subjects

63 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 Glasgow

Also taught at both: Celtic Studies, History of Art & Design, Archaeology, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Music, Education Studies, Human Geography & Environment, Social Policy & Public Policy, Ancient Languages, Chemistry, Finance & Actuarial Science, Biomedical Sciences, Childhood & Youth Studies, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Anatomy & Pathology, Software Engineering, Information & Library Studies, Media & Film Studies, Statistics, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Business & Management (General), Clinical Specialities, Civil Engineering, Health & Social Care, Planning & Housing, Aerospace Engineering, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Biotechnology, Genetics & Genomics, Creative Writing, Dentistry, Geography (General), Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Animal Science, Biochemistry, Business Studies, Chemical Engineering, Geology & Earth Sciences, Clinical & Health Psychology, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Building & Construction, Computing & IT, International Development, Linguistics, Pharmacology, Welsh Studies, Zoology & Animal Biology.

Only at University of Cambridge

Only at University of Glasgow

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 Glasgow
No data

We do not have reliable international fee data for University of Glasgow yet.

Postgraduate

University of Cambridge
£41,300
University of Glasgow
£15,160

University of Glasgow is about £26,140 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 Glasgow

  • History

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    95%Satisfaction90%

  • Mathematics

    £44,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    94%Satisfaction82%

  • Law

    £49,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    96%Satisfaction86%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    No dataSatisfaction88%

  • Psychology (General)

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    92%Satisfaction91%

  • Classical Studies

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    96%Satisfaction86%

  • Economics

    £59,500Salary (3 years)£34,500
    86%Satisfaction79%

  • Theology & Religious Studies

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    94%Satisfaction97%

  • Philosophy

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    93%Satisfaction90%

  • Computer Science

    £63,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    94%Satisfaction85%

  • Celtic Studies

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    No dataSatisfaction98%

  • History of Art & Design

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    86%Satisfaction95%

Showing the 12 largest of 18 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Cambridge

View all scholarships →

University of Glasgow

Minerva Scholarships

£22,000

Deadline: N/A

Excellence Bursaries

100%

Deadline: N/A

Travel Bursaries

£50

Deadline: N/A

School of Computing Science postgraduate research excellence bursaries

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Cambridge vs University of Glasgow: common questions

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

For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £41,300 a year at University of Cambridge and £15,160 at University of Glasgow: University of Glasgow is about £26,140 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 Glasgow?

Both universities teach 63 subject areas: History, Mathematics, Management, Law, Politics & International Relations, Psychology (General), Classical Studies, Eastern European Languages, Physics, Economics, Information Systems & Data Science, Theology & Religious Studies and 51 more.

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

History graduates earn a median £32,000 three years after graduating from University of Cambridge, and £23,500 from University of Glasgow. Student satisfaction with teaching is 95% at University of Cambridge and 90% at University of Glasgow. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Glasgow lists 1,022 courses on CourseOptions and University of Cambridge lists 336 courses.

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

University of Cambridge teaches 16 subject areas that University of Glasgow does not, including Biological Sciences (General), Asian Languages & Studies, General Engineering, Architecture, Biology, English Studies, Materials Science, Anthropology and 8 more.

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

University of Glasgow teaches 34 subject areas that University of Cambridge does not, including Spanish & Portuguese, Teacher Training, English Literature, English Language, Scottish Gaelic, French, German & Scandinavian Studies, Drama & Theatre 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
U
University of Glasgow1,022 courses · 4 scholarshipsBrowse Courses