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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 Leeds

Leeds · QS World #77

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

Leeds

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

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

University of Cambridge vs University of Leeds at a glance

University of Cambridge and University of Leeds both teach 62 subject areas, the largest being Civil Engineering, Physics and Biological Sciences (General). University of Cambridge offers 336 courses across 79 subject areas; University of Leeds offers 579 courses across 110 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,890 a year at University of Cambridge and £33,700 at University of Leeds: University of Cambridge is about £810 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £41,300 a year at University of Cambridge and £31,500 at University of Leeds: University of Leeds is about £9,800 a year cheaper.

Of the 19 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Cambridge is higher in 19 and University of Leeds in 0. The widest gap is in Economics: £59,500 three years after graduating from University of Cambridge, against £36,000 from University of Leeds. Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Cambridge is higher in 15 and University of Leeds in 5.

World & National Rankings

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

#6
QS World
#77
#3
THE World
#118
#2
Guardian UK
#15
1209
Established
1904
Yes
Russell Group
Yes
Gold
TEF Rating
Silver

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 Leeds

92.1%
85.7%

Satisfaction

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

£49,800
£37,200

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

76.6%
82.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

32.2%
31.5%

International

International student share

336
579

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
13

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

Leeds

105 countries · 31.5% international

  • 🇨🇳China49.5%
  • 🇮🇳India9.6%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.9%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.4%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.8%

Subjects

62 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 Leeds

Also taught at both: Music, Management, Media & Film Studies, Childhood & Youth Studies, Biomedical Sciences, Education Studies, General Engineering, Human Geography & Environment, Theology & Religious Studies, Ancient Languages, Business & Management (General), Chemical Engineering, English Studies, Genetics & Genomics, Geology & Earth Sciences, Linguistics, Biology, Finance & Actuarial Science, Social Policy & Public Policy, Architecture, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, History of Art & Design, Psychology (General), Zoology & Animal Biology, Aerospace Engineering, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Dentistry, Eastern European Languages, Information Systems & Data Science, Anatomy & Pathology, Biotechnology, Planning & Housing, Classical Studies, Creative Writing, Health & Social Care, Information & Library Studies, International Development, Materials Science, Medicine, Statistics, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Software Engineering, Clinical & Health Psychology, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Humanities.

Only at University of Cambridge

Only at University of Leeds

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 Leeds
£33,700

University of Cambridge is about £810 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Cambridge
£41,300
University of Leeds
£31,500

University of Leeds is about £9,800 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 Leeds

  • Biological Sciences (General)

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    91%Satisfaction84%

  • History

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    95%Satisfaction94%

  • Mathematics

    £44,500Salary (3 years)£31,500
    94%Satisfaction83%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    No dataSatisfaction85%

  • Computer Science

    £63,500Salary (3 years)£42,000
    94%Satisfaction79%

  • Economics

    £59,500Salary (3 years)£36,000
    86%Satisfaction88%

  • Law

    £49,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    96%Satisfaction87%

  • Asian Languages & Studies

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    94%Satisfaction75%

  • Philosophy

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    93%Satisfaction85%

  • Music

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£21,500
    97%Satisfaction87%

  • Education Studies

    No dataSalary (3 years)£21,000
    92%Satisfaction86%

  • Theology & Religious Studies

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    94%Satisfaction83%

Showing the 12 largest of 21 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Cambridge

View all scholarships →

University of Leeds

Gazan Humanitarian Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Gazan Humanitarian Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Global Community Bursary

£10,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

Sanctuary Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Cambridge vs University of Leeds: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,890 a year at University of Cambridge and £33,700 at University of Leeds: University of Cambridge is about £810 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £41,300 a year at University of Cambridge and £31,500 at University of Leeds: University of Leeds is about £9,800 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 Leeds?

Both universities teach 62 subject areas: Civil Engineering, Physics, Biological Sciences (General), History, Mathematics, Politics & International Relations, Sociology & Criminology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Economics, Law, Asian Languages & Studies and 50 more.

Is University of Cambridge or University of Leeds better for Biological Sciences (General)?

Biological Sciences (General) graduates earn a median £35,000 three years after graduating from University of Cambridge, and £26,000 from University of Leeds. Student satisfaction with teaching is 91% at University of Cambridge and 84% at University of Leeds. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Leeds lists 579 courses on CourseOptions and University of Cambridge lists 336 courses.

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

University of Cambridge teaches 17 subject areas that University of Leeds does not, including Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Archaeology, Clinical Specialities, Veterinary Medicine, Celtic Studies, Geography (General), Anthropology, Building & Construction and 9 more.

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

University of Leeds teaches 48 subject areas that University of Cambridge does not, including Design & Fashion, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Personal & Professional Development, Drama & Theatre, Medical Imaging, Biomedical Engineering, Marketing, Natural Sciences and 40 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 Leeds579 courses · 13 scholarshipsBrowse Courses