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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.

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University of Cambridge

Cambridge · QS World #6

U
University of Portsmouth

Portsmouth · QS World #662

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

Portsmouth

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

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

University of Cambridge vs University of Portsmouth at a glance

University of Cambridge and University of Portsmouth both teach 46 subject areas, the largest being Sociology & Criminology, Computer Science and Politics & International Relations. University of Cambridge offers 336 courses across 79 subject areas; University of Portsmouth offers 446 courses across 84 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,890 a year at University of Cambridge and £17,900 at University of Portsmouth: University of Portsmouth is about £14,990 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £41,300 a year at University of Cambridge and £18,600 at University of Portsmouth: University of Portsmouth is about £22,700 a year cheaper.

Of the 12 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Cambridge is higher in 12 and University of Portsmouth in 0. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £63,500 three years after graduating from University of Cambridge, against £25,500 from University of Portsmouth. Of the 12 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Cambridge is higher in 12 and University of Portsmouth in 0.

World & National Rankings

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

#6
QS World
#662
#3
THE World
#401
#2
Guardian UK
#55
1209
Established
1869
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 Portsmouth

92.1%
86.9%

Satisfaction

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

£49,800
£32,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

76.6%
84.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

32.2%
24.5%

International

International student share

336
446

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

Portsmouth

96 countries · 24.5% international

  • 🇮🇳India22.1%
  • 🇨🇳China11.6%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria7.8%
  • 🌐Kuwait7.1%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan5.6%

Subjects

46 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 Portsmouth

Also taught at both: Mathematics, Biomedical Sciences, Social Policy & Public Policy, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Finance & Actuarial Science, Media & Film Studies, Psychology (General), Ancient Languages, Creative Writing, Physics, Civil Engineering, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Music, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Biology, Human Geography & Environment, Linguistics, Anatomy & Pathology, Chemical Engineering, Dentistry, International Development, Software Engineering, Information Systems & Data Science, Biotechnology, Computing & IT, Planning & Housing, Biochemistry, Clinical & Health Psychology, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Geology & Earth Sciences, Pharmacology.

Only at University of Cambridge

Only at University of Portsmouth

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 Portsmouth
£17,900

University of Portsmouth is about £14,990 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Cambridge
£41,300
University of Portsmouth
£18,600

University of Portsmouth is about £22,700 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 Portsmouth

  • Computer Science

    £63,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    94%Satisfaction82%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    No dataSatisfaction87%

  • General Engineering

    £39,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    87%Satisfaction84%

  • Law

    £49,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    96%Satisfaction88%

  • History

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    95%Satisfaction90%

  • Education Studies

    No dataSalary (3 years)£21,000
    92%Satisfaction89%

  • Economics

    £59,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    86%Satisfaction85%

  • Architecture

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    88%Satisfaction85%

  • Mathematics

    £44,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    94%Satisfaction87%

  • Psychology (General)

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    92%Satisfaction86%

  • Ancient Languages

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    97%Satisfaction82%

  • Music

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    97%Satisfaction91%

Showing the 12 largest of 13 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Cambridge

View all scholarships →

University of Portsmouth

Portsmouth Football Club Partnership Scholarship

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

Estée Lauder Companies - Whitman Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Portsmouth Football Club Partnership Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Language Bursary

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Cambridge vs University of Portsmouth: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,890 a year at University of Cambridge and £17,900 at University of Portsmouth: University of Portsmouth is about £14,990 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £41,300 a year at University of Cambridge and £18,600 at University of Portsmouth: University of Portsmouth is about £22,700 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 Portsmouth?

Both universities teach 46 subject areas: Sociology & Criminology, Computer Science, Politics & International Relations, Management, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, General Engineering, Law, Business & Management (General), Childhood & Youth Studies, History, Building & Construction, Education Studies and 34 more.

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

Computer Science graduates earn a median £63,500 three years after graduating from University of Cambridge, and £25,500 from University of Portsmouth. Student satisfaction with teaching is 94% at University of Cambridge and 82% at University of Portsmouth. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Portsmouth lists 446 courses on CourseOptions and University of Cambridge lists 336 courses.

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

University of Cambridge teaches 33 subject areas that University of Portsmouth does not, including Biological Sciences (General), Asian Languages & Studies, Archaeology, Clinical Specialities, Philosophy, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Genetics & Genomics, Theology & Religious Studies and 25 more.

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

University of Portsmouth teaches 38 subject areas that University of Cambridge does not, including Design & Fashion, Accounting, Games Design & Computer Animation, Marketing, Mechanical Engineering, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Teacher Training, Film Production & Cinematography and 30 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 Portsmouth446 courses · 5 scholarshipsBrowse Courses