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.
Chester · Guardian UK #91
Sunderland · Guardian UK #86
Head-to-Head Summary
Based on 8 datapoints
We looked at 8 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.
5/8
Chester
scored higher in 5 categories
3/8
Sunderland
scored higher in 3 categories
Quick Verdict
University of Chester leads in 5 of 8 categories where both have data (established, employment, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Sunderland is ahead on ranking, satisfaction, international.
University of Chester vs University of Sunderland at a glance
University of Chester and University of Sunderland both teach 42 subject areas, the largest being Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Childhood & Youth Studies and Law. University of Chester offers 329 courses across 73 subject areas; University of Sunderland offers 193 courses across 56 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £14,950 a year at University of Chester and £17,500 at University of Sunderland: University of Chester is about £2,550 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £15,500 a year at University of Chester and £17,000 at University of Sunderland: University of Chester is about £1,500 a year cheaper.
Of the 30 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Chester is higher in 21 and University of Sunderland in 8, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Counselling & Psychotherapy: £23,000 three years after graduating from University of Chester, against £29,000 from University of Sunderland. Of the 31 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Sunderland is higher in 25 and University of Chester in 5, with 1 about level.
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 Chester
University of Sunderland
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.
Chester
52 countries · 28.7% international
- 🇮🇳India32.1%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan26.7%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria11.7%
- 🌐Sri Lanka7.1%
- 🇧🇩Bangladesh2.8%
Sunderland
56 countries · 36.5% international
- 🌐Nepal29.5%
- 🇮🇳India17.7%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria16.6%
- 🇨🇳China7.3%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan6.9%
Subjects
42 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 Chester
University of Sunderland
Hospitality, Events & Tourism
21 coursesTypical fee £14,950 (UG)
12 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
Childhood & Youth Studies
26 coursesTypical fee £14,950 (PG)
4 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
Law
9 coursesTypical fee £14,950 (UG)
12 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
Psychology (General)
14 coursesTypical fee £14,950 (UG)
5 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
Business & Management (General)
14 coursesTypical fee £14,950 (UG)
4 coursesTypical fee £16,500 (UG)
Sociology & Criminology
16 coursesTypical fee £14,950 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
Design & Fashion
Computer Science
Sport & Exercise Sciences
Journalism
Marketing
Software Engineering
Media & Film Studies
Business Studies
Health Sciences & Paramedic Science
Also taught at both: Film Production & Cinematography, Finance & Actuarial Science, Accounting, Social Work, Adult Nursing, Agriculture & Land Management, Applied Psychology, Chemistry, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Fine Art, Games Design & Computer Animation, Mental Health Nursing, Music, Teacher Training, Biomedical Sciences, Education Studies, English Studies, Health & Social Care, Performing Arts (General), Chemical Engineering, Children's Nursing, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Mathematics, Social Sciences (General), General Engineering, Medicine, Midwifery.
Only at University of Chester
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 Chester
- £14,950
- University of Sunderland
- £17,500
University of Chester is about £2,550 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- University of Chester
- £15,500
- University of Sunderland
- £17,000
University of Chester is about £1,500 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 Chester
University of Sunderland
Hospitality, Events & Tourism
£19,500Salary (3 years)£19,00083%Satisfaction93%Childhood & Youth Studies
£21,000Salary (3 years)£18,500No dataSatisfaction100%Law
£20,000Salary (3 years)£19,00089%Satisfaction95%Psychology (General)
£20,500Salary (3 years)£19,00082%Satisfaction88%Business & Management (General)
£21,500Salary (3 years)£20,00079%Satisfaction92%Sociology & Criminology
£20,500Salary (3 years)£18,50086%Satisfaction87%Design & Fashion
£19,000Salary (3 years)£17,00082%Satisfaction90%Computer Science
£23,000Salary (3 years)£25,50083%Satisfaction78%Sport & Exercise Sciences
£21,000Salary (3 years)£19,50090%Satisfaction86%Journalism
£21,000Salary (3 years)£18,50078%Satisfaction98%Marketing
£22,500Salary (3 years)£20,00089%Satisfaction91%Software Engineering
£23,000Salary (3 years)£25,50066%Satisfaction92%
Showing the 12 largest of 32 shared subjects with published outcomes.
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveUniversity of Chester
NHS Learning Support Fund
£5,000
Deadline: N/A
Visit Us Travel Bursary
£100
Deadline: N/A
Futures Employability Fund
See details
Deadline: N/A
University of Sunderland
View all scholarships →FAQ
University of Chester vs University of Sunderland: common questions
Is University of Chester or University of Sunderland cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £14,950 a year at University of Chester and £17,500 at University of Sunderland: University of Chester is about £2,550 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £15,500 a year at University of Chester and £17,000 at University of Sunderland: University of Chester is about £1,500 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 Chester and University of Sunderland?
Both universities teach 42 subject areas: Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Childhood & Youth Studies, Law, Psychology (General), Business & Management (General), Sociology & Criminology, Design & Fashion, Computer Science, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Journalism, Marketing, Software Engineering and 30 more.
Is University of Chester or University of Sunderland better for Hospitality, Events & Tourism?
Hospitality, Events & Tourism graduates earn a median £19,500 three years after graduating from University of Chester, and £19,000 from University of Sunderland. Student satisfaction with teaching is 83% at University of Chester and 93% at University of Sunderland. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does University of Chester or University of Sunderland offer more courses?
University of Chester lists 329 courses on CourseOptions and University of Sunderland lists 193 courses.
What can you study at University of Chester but not at University of Sunderland?
University of Chester teaches 31 subject areas that University of Sunderland does not, including Politics & International Relations, Archaeology, Geography (General), Nutrition & Dietetics, Animal Science, History, Learning Disabilities Nursing, Theology & Religious Studies and 23 more.
What can you study at University of Sunderland but not at University of Chester?
University of Sunderland teaches 14 subject areas that University of Chester does not, including Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Biochemistry, Geology & Earth Sciences, Nursing (General), Human Resource Management, Mechanical Engineering, Applied & General Science, Clinical & Health Psychology and 6 more.
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