Skip to main content

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 Plymouth

Plymouth · QS World #691

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.

9/11

Cambridge

scored higher in 9 categories

VS

2/11

Plymouth

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Cambridge leads in 9 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses). University of Plymouth is ahead on employment, scholarship.

University of Cambridge vs University of Plymouth at a glance

University of Cambridge and University of Plymouth both teach 45 subject areas, the largest being Biological Sciences (General), Business & Management (General) and Biomedical Sciences. University of Cambridge offers 336 courses across 79 subject areas; University of Plymouth offers 310 courses across 78 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,890 a year at University of Cambridge and £19,200 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £13,690 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £41,300 a year at University of Cambridge and £19,500 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £21,800 a year cheaper.

Of the 13 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Cambridge is higher in 12 and University of Plymouth in 1. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £63,500 three years after graduating from University of Cambridge, against £28,000 from University of Plymouth. Of the 13 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Cambridge is higher in 10 and University of Plymouth in 3.

World & National Rankings

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

#6
QS World
#691
#3
THE World
#501
#2
Guardian UK
#56
1209
Established
1862
Yes
Russell Group
No
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 Plymouth

92.1%
86.6%

Satisfaction

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

£49,800
£30,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

76.6%
84.2%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

32.2%
11.9%

International

International student share

336
310

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
10

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

Plymouth

71 countries · 11.9% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria14.6%
  • 🇨🇳China12.2%
  • 🇮🇳India11%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.7%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka3.3%

Subjects

45 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 Plymouth

Also taught at both: Economics, Management, Civil Engineering, Human Geography & Environment, Architecture, English Studies, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Business Studies, Chemistry, Dentistry, Finance & Actuarial Science, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biology, Building & Construction, Creative Writing, Anatomy & Pathology, Chemical Engineering, Education Studies, Geography (General), Software Engineering, Statistics, Anthropology, Clinical & Health Psychology, Media & Film Studies, Music, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Medicine, Technology & Logistics, Zoology & Animal Biology, Heritage & Conservation.

Only at University of Cambridge

Only at University of Plymouth

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 Plymouth
£19,200

University of Plymouth is about £13,690 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Cambridge
£41,300
University of Plymouth
£19,500

University of Plymouth is about £21,800 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 Plymouth

  • Biological Sciences (General)

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    91%Satisfaction88%

  • History

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    95%Satisfaction94%

  • Law

    £49,000Salary (3 years)£21,500
    96%Satisfaction84%

  • Psychology (General)

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£21,500
    92%Satisfaction84%

  • Mathematics

    £44,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    94%Satisfaction86%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    No dataSatisfaction86%

  • Computer Science

    £63,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    94%Satisfaction72%

  • General Engineering

    £39,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    87%Satisfaction90%

  • Economics

    £59,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    86%Satisfaction91%

  • Architecture

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    88%Satisfaction82%

  • English Studies

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    96%Satisfaction94%

  • Education Studies

    No dataSalary (3 years)£19,500
    92%Satisfaction94%

Showing the 12 largest of 14 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Cambridge

View all scholarships →

University of Plymouth

GREAT Scholarships

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

International Undergraduate Welcome to Plymouth Scholarship

£6,000

Deadline: N/A

Tamar Engineering Project

£4,500

Deadline: Jun 2026

International Postgraduate Welcome to Plymouth Scholarship

£4,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Cambridge vs University of Plymouth: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,890 a year at University of Cambridge and £19,200 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £13,690 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £41,300 a year at University of Cambridge and £19,500 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £21,800 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 Plymouth?

Both universities teach 45 subject areas: Biological Sciences (General), Business & Management (General), Biomedical Sciences, History, Geology & Earth Sciences, Law, Sociology & Criminology, Psychology (General), Mathematics, Politics & International Relations, Childhood & Youth Studies, Computer Science and 33 more.

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

Biological Sciences (General) graduates earn a median £35,000 three years after graduating from University of Cambridge, and £21,000 from University of Plymouth. Student satisfaction with teaching is 91% at University of Cambridge and 88% at University of Plymouth. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Cambridge lists 336 courses on CourseOptions and University of Plymouth lists 310 courses.

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

University of Cambridge teaches 34 subject areas that University of Plymouth does not, including Asian Languages & Studies, Archaeology, Clinical Specialities, Philosophy, Physics, Genetics & Genomics, Theology & Religious Studies, Astronomy & Astrophysics and 26 more.

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

University of Plymouth teaches 33 subject areas that University of Cambridge does not, including Design & Fashion, Ecology & Conservation, Adult Nursing, Nutrition & Dietetics, Physical Geography & Climate, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Marine Engineering & Technology, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation 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 Plymouth310 courses · 10 scholarshipsBrowse Courses