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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 St Andrews

St Andrews · QS World #115

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

St Andrews

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

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

University of Cambridge vs University of St Andrews at a glance

University of Cambridge and University of St Andrews both teach 47 subject areas, the largest being African & Middle Eastern Studies, History and Classical Studies. University of Cambridge offers 336 courses across 79 subject areas; University of St Andrews offers 1,157 courses across 64 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,890 a year at University of Cambridge and £30,160 at University of St Andrews: University of St Andrews is about £2,730 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £41,300 a year at University of Cambridge and £27,200 at University of St Andrews: University of St Andrews is about £14,100 a year cheaper.

Of the 15 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Cambridge is higher in 13 and University of St Andrews in 0, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Economics: £59,500 three years after graduating from University of Cambridge, against £39,000 from University of St Andrews. Of the 13 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of St Andrews is higher in 8 and University of Cambridge in 4, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#6
QS World
#115
#3
THE World
#162
#2
Guardian UK
#3
1209
Established
1413
Yes
Russell Group
No
Gold
TEF Rating
—

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 St Andrews

92.1%
93.2%

Satisfaction

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

£49,800
£40,000

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

76.6%
74.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

32.2%
46.1%

International

International student share

336
1157

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
62

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

St Andrews

89 countries · 46.1% international

  • 🇺🇸United States42.3%
  • 🇨🇳China9%
  • 🇩🇪Germany4%
  • 🇮🇳India4%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong3.2%

Subjects

47 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 St Andrews

Also taught at both: Philosophy, Chemistry, Asian Languages & Studies, Management, Psychology (General), Childhood & Youth Studies, Anthropology, Biomedical Sciences, Sociology & Criminology, Medicine, Physics, Business & Management (General), Finance & Actuarial Science, Education Studies, Human Geography & Environment, Law, Statistics, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Geology & Earth Sciences, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Creative Writing, Materials Science, Biochemistry, Information & Library Studies, Software Engineering, Zoology & Animal Biology, Animal Science, Business Studies, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Computing & IT, Heritage & Conservation, Humanities.

Only at University of Cambridge

Only at University of St Andrews

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 St Andrews
£30,160

University of St Andrews is about £2,730 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Cambridge
£41,300
University of St Andrews
£27,200

University of St Andrews is about £14,100 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 St Andrews

  • History

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    95%Satisfaction97%

  • Classical Studies

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    96%Satisfaction97%

  • Ancient Languages

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    97%Satisfaction100%

  • Economics

    £59,500Salary (3 years)£39,000
    86%Satisfaction93%

  • History of Art & Design

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    86%Satisfaction94%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    No dataSatisfaction95%

  • Mathematics

    £44,500Salary (3 years)£36,500
    94%Satisfaction94%

  • Theology & Religious Studies

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    94%Satisfaction97%

  • English Studies

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    96%Satisfaction92%

  • Geography (General)

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    95%SatisfactionNo data

  • Computer Science

    £63,500Salary (3 years)£51,500
    94%Satisfaction93%

  • Philosophy

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    93%Satisfaction94%

Showing the 12 largest of 15 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Cambridge

View all scholarships →

University of St Andrews

Applied Environmental Sciences MSc Awards - Women in Mining (WIM) UK

100%

Deadline: Jun 2026

Environmental Science MSc Awards - The Cunningham Scholarship UK

100%

Deadline: Jun 2026

Masters funding in Digital Health and Care

£10,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

School of Modern Languages Masters Scholarship

100%

Deadline: May 2026

University of Jordan Postgraduate Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Cambridge vs University of St Andrews: common questions

Is University of Cambridge or University of St Andrews cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,890 a year at University of Cambridge and £30,160 at University of St Andrews: University of St Andrews is about £2,730 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £41,300 a year at University of Cambridge and £27,200 at University of St Andrews: University of St Andrews is about £14,100 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 St Andrews?

Both universities teach 47 subject areas: African & Middle Eastern Studies, History, Classical Studies, Ancient Languages, Economics, History of Art & Design, Politics & International Relations, Mathematics, Theology & Religious Studies, English Studies, Eastern European Languages, Media & Film Studies and 35 more.

Is University of Cambridge or University of St Andrews better for History?

History graduates earn a median £32,000 three years after graduating from University of Cambridge, and £28,500 from University of St Andrews. Student satisfaction with teaching is 95% at University of Cambridge and 97% at University of St Andrews. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does University of Cambridge or University of St Andrews offer more courses?

University of St Andrews lists 1,157 courses on CourseOptions and University of Cambridge lists 336 courses.

What can you study at University of Cambridge but not at University of St Andrews?

University of Cambridge teaches 32 subject areas that University of St Andrews does not, including Biological Sciences (General), General Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Archaeology, Architecture, Clinical Specialities, Genetics & Genomics, Anatomy & Pathology and 24 more.

What can you study at University of St Andrews but not at University of Cambridge?

University of St Andrews teaches 17 subject areas that University of Cambridge does not, including French, German & Scandinavian Studies, Italian, Spanish & Portuguese, Teacher Training, Physical Geography & Climate, Combined & General Studies, Ecology & Conservation and 9 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 St Andrews1,157 courses · 62 scholarshipsBrowse Courses