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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 Liverpool

Liverpool · QS World #139

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

Liverpool

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 Liverpool is ahead on employment, courses, scholarship.

University of Cambridge vs University of Liverpool at a glance

University of Cambridge and University of Liverpool both teach 58 subject areas, the largest being Music, Sociology & Criminology and History. University of Cambridge offers 336 courses across 79 subject areas; University of Liverpool offers 793 courses across 94 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,890 a year at University of Cambridge and £32,000 at University of Liverpool: University of Liverpool is about £890 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £41,300 a year at University of Cambridge and £30,000 at University of Liverpool: University of Liverpool is about £11,300 a year cheaper.

Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Cambridge is higher in 18 and University of Liverpool in 1, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £63,500 three years after graduating from University of Cambridge, against £32,500 from University of Liverpool. Of the 19 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Cambridge is higher in 13 and University of Liverpool in 4, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#6
QS World
#139
#3
THE World
#143
#2
Guardian UK
#28
1209
Established
1881
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 Liverpool

92.1%
87.7%

Satisfaction

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

£49,800
£34,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

76.6%
79.9%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

32.2%
24.1%

International

International student share

336
793

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

Liverpool

93 countries · 24.1% international

  • 🇨🇳China40.6%
  • 🇮🇳India17.1%
  • 🌐Kuwait4.3%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia4%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.1%

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 Liverpool

Also taught at both: Economics, Business Studies, Business & Management (General), Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, General Engineering, Chemistry, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Biology, Childhood & Youth Studies, Architecture, Finance & Actuarial Science, Aerospace Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Civil Engineering, Psychology (General), Clinical Specialities, Geology & Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Environment, Anatomy & Pathology, Management, Medicine, Social Policy & Public Policy, Veterinary Medicine, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Geography (General), Planning & Housing, Software Engineering, Dentistry, Ancient Languages, Computing & IT, Eastern European Languages, Health & Social Care, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Information Systems & Data Science, Pharmacology, Biochemistry, Clinical & Health Psychology, Humanities, Zoology & Animal Biology, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Heritage & Conservation, Information & Library Studies.

Only at University of Cambridge

Only at University of Liverpool

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 Liverpool
£32,000

University of Liverpool is about £890 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Cambridge
£41,300
University of Liverpool
£30,000

University of Liverpool is about £11,300 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 Liverpool

  • Music

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
    97%Satisfaction91%

  • History

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    95%Satisfaction93%

  • Archaeology

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    95%Satisfaction92%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    No dataSatisfaction87%

  • Asian Languages & Studies

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    94%Satisfaction91%

  • Mathematics

    £44,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    94%Satisfaction82%

  • Law

    £49,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    96%Satisfaction86%

  • English Studies

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    96%Satisfaction90%

  • Philosophy

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    93%Satisfaction89%

  • Biological Sciences (General)

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    91%Satisfaction89%

  • Classical Studies

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    96%Satisfaction93%

  • Computer Science

    £63,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    94%Satisfaction77%

Showing the 12 largest of 20 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Cambridge

View all scholarships →

University of Liverpool

Liverpool Advancement Scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

Postgraduate Opportunity Bursary

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Cambridge vs University of Liverpool: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,890 a year at University of Cambridge and £32,000 at University of Liverpool: University of Liverpool is about £890 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £41,300 a year at University of Cambridge and £30,000 at University of Liverpool: University of Liverpool is about £11,300 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 Liverpool?

Both universities teach 58 subject areas: Music, Sociology & Criminology, History, Archaeology, Politics & International Relations, Asian Languages & Studies, Mathematics, Law, Media & Film Studies, English Studies, Philosophy, Physics and 46 more.

Is University of Cambridge or University of Liverpool better for Music?

Music graduates earn a median £27,000 three years after graduating from University of Cambridge, and £19,000 from University of Liverpool. Student satisfaction with teaching is 97% at University of Cambridge and 91% at University of Liverpool. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Liverpool lists 793 courses on CourseOptions and University of Cambridge lists 336 courses.

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

University of Cambridge teaches 21 subject areas that University of Liverpool does not, including Genetics & Genomics, Theology & Religious Studies, Chemical Engineering, Celtic Studies, Creative Writing, History of Art & Design, Materials Science, Anthropology and 13 more.

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

University of Liverpool teaches 36 subject areas that University of Cambridge does not, including French, Italian, German & Scandinavian Studies, Spanish & Portuguese, Irish Studies, English Literature, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and 28 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of Cambridge336 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of Liverpool793 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses