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.
Cambridge · QS World #6
Paisley · Guardian UK #115
Head-to-Head Summary
Based on 9 datapoints
We looked at 9 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.
8/9
Cambridge
scored higher in 8 categories
1/9
West of Scotland
scored higher in 1 category
Quick Verdict
University of Cambridge leads in 8 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses). University of the West of Scotland is ahead on employment.
University of Cambridge vs University of the West of Scotland at a glance
University of Cambridge and University of the West of Scotland both teach 25 subject areas, the largest being General Engineering, Childhood & Youth Studies and Sociology & Criminology. University of Cambridge offers 336 courses across 79 subject areas; University of the West of Scotland offers 119 courses across 49 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,890 a year at University of Cambridge and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £17,390 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £41,300 a year at University of Cambridge and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £25,020 a year cheaper.
Of the 3 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Cambridge is higher in 3 and University of the West of Scotland in 0. The widest gap is in Law: £49,000 three years after graduating from University of Cambridge, against £21,000 from University of the West of Scotland. Of the 3 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of the West of Scotland is higher in 2 and University of Cambridge in 1.
World & National Rankings
Compare world and national league table positions, TEF ratings, and Russell Group membership.
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 the West of Scotland
Satisfaction
Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)
Graduate Salaries (5y)
Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation
Employment
Graduate employment rate
International
International student share
Course Counts
Number of courses offered
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%
West of Scotland
33 countries · 30.3% international
- 🇵🇰Pakistan36.2%
- 🌐Nepal20.4%
- 🇮🇳India19.3%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria7.4%
- 🇧🇩Bangladesh5.3%
Subjects
25 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 the West of Scotland
General Engineering
10 coursesTypical fee £41,300 (UG)
5 coursesTypical fee £18,000 (UG)
Childhood & Youth Studies
10 coursesTypical fee £43,520 (PG)
3 coursesTypical fee £15,250 (UG)
Sociology & Criminology
Biomedical Sciences
Business Studies
Health Sciences & Paramedic Science
Mathematics
Law
Physics
Politics & International Relations
Business & Management (General)
Chemistry
Biology
Computing & IT
Human Geography & Environment
Also taught at both: Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Media & Film Studies, Music, Psychology (General), Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Aerospace Engineering, Education Studies, Health & Social Care, Zoology & Animal Biology, Technology & Logistics.
Only at University of Cambridge
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 the West of Scotland
- £15,500
University of the West of Scotland is about £17,390 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- University of Cambridge
- £41,300
- University of the West of Scotland
- £16,280
University of the West of Scotland is about £25,020 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 the West of Scotland
General Engineering
£39,500Salary (3 years)£26,50087%Satisfaction92%Law
£49,000Salary (3 years)£21,00096%SatisfactionNo dataMusic
£27,000Salary (3 years)£18,50097%Satisfaction90%Education Studies
No dataSalary (3 years)No data92%Satisfaction96%
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveUniversity of Cambridge
View all scholarships →University of the West of Scotland
View all scholarships →FAQ
University of Cambridge vs University of the West of Scotland: common questions
Is University of Cambridge or University of the West of Scotland cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,890 a year at University of Cambridge and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £17,390 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £41,300 a year at University of Cambridge and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £25,020 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 the West of Scotland?
Both universities teach 25 subject areas: General Engineering, Childhood & Youth Studies, Sociology & Criminology, Biomedical Sciences, Business Studies, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Mathematics, Law, Physics, Politics & International Relations, Business & Management (General), Chemistry and 13 more.
Is University of Cambridge or University of the West of Scotland better for General Engineering?
General Engineering graduates earn a median £39,500 three years after graduating from University of Cambridge, and £26,500 from University of the West of Scotland. Student satisfaction with teaching is 87% at University of Cambridge and 92% at University of the West of Scotland. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does University of Cambridge or University of the West of Scotland offer more courses?
University of Cambridge lists 336 courses on CourseOptions and University of the West of Scotland lists 119 courses.
What can you study at University of Cambridge but not at University of the West of Scotland?
University of Cambridge teaches 54 subject areas that University of the West of Scotland does not, including Biological Sciences (General), History, Asian Languages & Studies, Economics, Archaeology, Architecture, Clinical Specialities, Philosophy and 46 more.
What can you study at University of the West of Scotland but not at University of Cambridge?
University of the West of Scotland teaches 24 subject areas that University of Cambridge does not, including Teacher Training, Applied Computing, Business Information Systems, Applied Psychology, Accounting, Social Sciences (General), Social Work, Community & Specialist Nursing and 16 more.
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