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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 Southampton

Southampton · QS World #111

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.

7/11

Cambridge

scored higher in 7 categories

VS

4/11

Southampton

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Cambridge leads in 7 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, TEF, established, satisfaction, graduate salary). University of Southampton is ahead on employment, international, courses, scholarship.

University of Cambridge vs University of Southampton at a glance

University of Cambridge and University of Southampton both teach 54 subject areas, the largest being General Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering and Business & Management (General). University of Cambridge offers 336 courses across 79 subject areas; University of Southampton offers 545 courses across 91 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,890 a year at University of Cambridge and £26,000 at University of Southampton: University of Southampton is about £6,890 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £41,300 a year at University of Cambridge and £31,200 at University of Southampton: University of Southampton is about £10,100 a year cheaper.

Of the 15 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Cambridge is higher in 14 and University of Southampton in 1. The widest gap is in Economics: £59,500 three years after graduating from University of Cambridge, against £34,000 from University of Southampton. Of the 15 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Cambridge is higher in 12 and University of Southampton in 2, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#6
QS World
#111
#3
THE World
#129
#2
Guardian UK
#16
1209
Established
1862
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 Southampton

92.1%
87%

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%
82.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

32.2%
35.1%

International

International student share

336
545

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
52

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

Southampton

103 countries · 35.1% international

  • 🇨🇳China63.5%
  • 🇮🇳India4.8%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia2.8%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia2.6%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.5%

Subjects

54 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 Southampton

Also taught at both: Geology & Earth Sciences, Law, Civil Engineering, Politics & International Relations, Ancient Languages, Philosophy, Biomedical Sciences, Chemistry, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Management, Music, Business Studies, Clinical Specialities, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Psychology (General), Software Engineering, Biology, Education Studies, Social Policy & Public Policy, Architecture, Human Geography & Environment, Building & Construction, Clinical & Health Psychology, English Studies, Health & Social Care, Medicine, Statistics, Anthropology, Biochemistry, Creative Writing, Information Systems & Data Science, Heritage & Conservation, Pharmacology, Zoology & Animal Biology, Computing & IT, Humanities, Information & Library Studies, International Development, Technology & Logistics.

Only at University of Cambridge

Only at University of Southampton

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 Southampton
£26,000

University of Southampton is about £6,890 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Cambridge
£41,300
University of Southampton
£31,200

University of Southampton is about £10,100 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 Southampton

  • General Engineering

    £39,500Salary (3 years)£34,500
    87%Satisfaction90%

  • History

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    95%Satisfaction91%

  • Archaeology

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£18,500
    95%Satisfaction97%

  • Computer Science

    £63,500Salary (3 years)£47,000
    94%Satisfaction80%

  • Mathematics

    £44,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    94%Satisfaction81%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £43,000Salary (3 years)£34,500
    94%Satisfaction89%

  • Economics

    £59,500Salary (3 years)£34,000
    86%Satisfaction85%

  • Law

    £49,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    96%Satisfaction87%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    No dataSatisfaction85%

  • Ancient Languages

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    97%Satisfaction94%

  • Philosophy

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

  • Music

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    97%Satisfaction90%

Showing the 12 largest of 16 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Cambridge

View all scholarships →

University of Southampton

Horizon Europe fee waiver

100%

Deadline: N/A

Cowrie Foundation Scholarship

£8,000

Deadline: N/A

Xiamen University PhD Scholarships

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sociology Criminology International Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Southampton Ageing & Gerontology Talent Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Cambridge vs University of Southampton: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,890 a year at University of Cambridge and £26,000 at University of Southampton: University of Southampton is about £6,890 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £41,300 a year at University of Cambridge and £31,200 at University of Southampton: University of Southampton is about £10,100 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 Southampton?

Both universities teach 54 subject areas: General Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Business & Management (General), History, Finance & Actuarial Science, Biological Sciences (General), Physics, Sociology & Criminology, Archaeology, Computer Science, Mathematics, Media & Film Studies and 42 more.

Is University of Cambridge or University of Southampton better for General Engineering?

General Engineering graduates earn a median £39,500 three years after graduating from University of Cambridge, and £34,500 from University of Southampton. Student satisfaction with teaching is 87% at University of Cambridge and 90% at University of Southampton. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Southampton lists 545 courses on CourseOptions and University of Cambridge lists 336 courses.

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

University of Cambridge teaches 25 subject areas that University of Southampton does not, including Asian Languages & Studies, Childhood & Youth Studies, Genetics & Genomics, Theology & Religious Studies, Anatomy & Pathology, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Veterinary Medicine, Celtic Studies and 17 more.

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

University of Southampton teaches 37 subject areas that University of Cambridge does not, including Mechanical Engineering, Design & Fashion, English Literature, Environmental Sciences, Marine Engineering & Technology, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Marketing, Accounting and 29 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 Southampton545 courses · 52 scholarshipsBrowse Courses