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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 Nottingham

Nottingham · QS World #97

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

Nottingham

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 Nottingham is ahead on employment, courses, scholarship.

University of Cambridge vs University of Nottingham at a glance

University of Cambridge and University of Nottingham both teach 63 subject areas, the largest being Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science and Computer Science. University of Cambridge offers 336 courses across 79 subject areas; University of Nottingham offers 580 courses across 98 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,890 a year at University of Cambridge and £33,000 at University of Nottingham, so the two cost about the same. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £41,300 a year at University of Cambridge and £30,800 at University of Nottingham: University of Nottingham is about £10,500 a year cheaper.

Of the 17 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Cambridge is higher in 17 and University of Nottingham in 0. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £63,500 three years after graduating from University of Cambridge, against £36,000 from University of Nottingham. Of the 16 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Cambridge is higher in 10 and University of Nottingham 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
#97
#3
THE World
#145
#2
Guardian UK
#21
1209
Established
1881
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 Nottingham

92.1%
86.6%

Satisfaction

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

£49,800
£40,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

76.6%
79.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

32.2%
21.1%

International

International student share

336
580

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
5

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

Nottingham

98 countries · 21.1% international

  • 🇨🇳China42.6%
  • 🇮🇳India9%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia4.4%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4%
  • 🇹🇷Turkey2.7%

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 Nottingham

Also taught at both: Human Geography & Environment, Psychology (General), Business & Management (General), Civil Engineering, Media & Film Studies, Archaeology, Finance & Actuarial Science, Law, Biotechnology, General Engineering, Linguistics, Management, Chemistry, English Studies, Building & Construction, Theology & Religious Studies, Veterinary Medicine, Anatomy & Pathology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Classical Studies, Health & Social Care, History of Art & Design, Music, Aerospace Engineering, American & Comparative Studies, Biology, Genetics & Genomics, Creative Writing, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Zoology & Animal Biology, Animal Science, Business Studies, Eastern European Languages, Geography (General), Information Systems & Data Science, International Development, Materials Science, Medicine, Social Policy & Public Policy, Ancient Languages, Education Studies, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Clinical & Health Psychology, Geology & Earth Sciences, Statistics, Technology & Logistics, Welsh Studies.

Only at University of Cambridge

Only at University of Nottingham

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 Nottingham
£33,000

About the same.

Postgraduate

University of Cambridge
£41,300
University of Nottingham
£30,800

University of Nottingham is about £10,500 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 Nottingham

  • Computer Science

    £63,500Salary (3 years)£36,000
    94%Satisfaction79%

  • History

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    95%Satisfaction89%

  • Philosophy

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    93%Satisfaction93%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £43,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    94%Satisfaction89%

  • Economics

    £59,500Salary (3 years)£38,500
    86%Satisfaction83%

  • Mathematics

    £44,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    94%Satisfaction81%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    No dataSatisfaction88%

  • Architecture

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    88%Satisfaction94%

  • Psychology (General)

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    92%Satisfaction83%

  • Archaeology

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    95%Satisfaction93%

  • Law

    £49,000Salary (3 years)£34,000
    96%Satisfaction89%

  • General Engineering

    £39,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    87%Satisfaction93%

Showing the 12 largest of 17 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Cambridge

View all scholarships →

University of Nottingham

Taiwan Research Hub PhD Scholarship 2026/27

£11,000

Deadline: N/A

Molson Coors Award

50%

Deadline: N/A

The Witty Entrepreneurial Scholarship

£750

Deadline: N/A

Hillsborough Trust Memorial Bursary

£500

Deadline: N/A

PhD Scholarships

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Cambridge vs University of Nottingham: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,890 a year at University of Cambridge and £33,000 at University of Nottingham, so the two cost about the same. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £41,300 a year at University of Cambridge and £30,800 at University of Nottingham: University of Nottingham is about £10,500 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 Nottingham?

Both universities teach 63 subject areas: Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Computer Science, Childhood & Youth Studies, History, Philosophy, Chemical Engineering, Physics, Economics, Mathematics, Politics & International Relations, Biomedical Sciences and 51 more.

Is University of Cambridge or University of Nottingham better for Computer Science?

Computer Science graduates earn a median £63,500 three years after graduating from University of Cambridge, and £36,000 from University of Nottingham. Student satisfaction with teaching is 94% at University of Cambridge and 79% at University of Nottingham. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Nottingham lists 580 courses on CourseOptions and University of Cambridge lists 336 courses.

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

University of Cambridge teaches 16 subject areas that University of Nottingham does not, including Biological Sciences (General), Asian Languages & Studies, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Celtic Studies, Anthropology, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Planning & Housing, Software Engineering and 8 more.

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

University of Nottingham teaches 35 subject areas that University of Cambridge does not, including Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Public Health & Epidemiology, Social Sciences (General), Nutrition & Dietetics, Applied Psychology, Food Science and 27 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 Nottingham580 courses · 5 scholarshipsBrowse Courses