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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 Cumbria

Lancaster · Guardian UK #101

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University of Plymouth

Plymouth · QS World #691

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.

1/9

Cumbria

scored higher in 1 category

VS

8/9

Plymouth

scored higher in 8 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Plymouth leads in 8 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, TEF, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Cumbria is ahead on employment.

University of Cumbria vs University of Plymouth at a glance

University of Cumbria and University of Plymouth both teach 33 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Childhood & Youth Studies and Design & Fashion. University of Cumbria offers 136 courses across 40 subject areas; University of Plymouth offers 310 courses across 78 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,000 a year at University of Cumbria and £19,200 at University of Plymouth: University of Cumbria is about £3,200 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,900 a year at University of Cumbria and £19,500 at University of Plymouth: University of Cumbria is about £2,600 a year cheaper.

Of the 26 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Plymouth is higher in 17 and University of Cumbria in 7, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Biomedical Sciences: £33,000 three years after graduating from University of Cumbria, against £26,000 from University of Plymouth. Of the 24 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Plymouth is higher in 17 and University of Cumbria in 7.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
#691
—
THE World
#501
#101
Guardian UK
#56
2007
Established
1862
No
Russell Group
No
Silver
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 Cumbria

University of Plymouth

80.5%
86.6%

Satisfaction

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

£27,400
£30,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

89.4%
84.2%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

2.6%
11.9%

International

International student share

136
310

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

1
10

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.

Cumbria

14 countries · 2.6% international

  • 🇨🇦Canada14.9%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan14.9%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria10.6%
  • 🇩🇪Germany8.5%
  • 🇮🇪Ireland8.5%
VS

Plymouth

71 countries · 11.9% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria14.6%
  • 🇨🇳China12.2%
  • 🇮🇳India11%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.7%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka3.3%

Subjects

33 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 Cumbria

University of Plymouth

Also taught at both: Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Human Geography & Environment, Physical Geography & Climate, Environmental Sciences, Management, Midwifery, Children's Nursing, Education Studies, Medical Imaging, Mental Health Nursing, Nursing (General), Zoology & Animal Biology, Games Design & Computer Animation, Fine Art, Social Work, Applied Psychology, Biomedical Engineering.

Only at University of Cumbria

Only at University of Plymouth

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 Cumbria
£16,000
University of Plymouth
£19,200

University of Cumbria is about £3,200 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Cumbria
£16,900
University of Plymouth
£19,500

University of Cumbria is about £2,600 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 Cumbria

University of Plymouth

  • Business & Management (General)

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    85%Satisfaction83%

  • Design & Fashion

    £17,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    74%Satisfaction77%

  • Psychology (General)

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£21,500
    87%Satisfaction84%

  • Law

    £18,500Salary (3 years)£21,500
    95%Satisfaction84%

  • Ecology & Conservation

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    92%Satisfaction94%

  • Business Studies

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    89%Satisfaction74%

  • Film Production & Cinematography

    £17,000Salary (3 years)£18,500
    77%Satisfaction94%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    100%Satisfaction84%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    70%Satisfaction83%

  • Adult Nursing

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    74%Satisfaction87%

  • Health Sciences & Paramedic Science

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    98%Satisfaction95%

  • Hospitality, Events & Tourism

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    82%Satisfaction83%

Showing the 12 largest of 26 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Cumbria

Future Talent Award

£8,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

University of Plymouth

GREAT Scholarships

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

International Undergraduate Welcome to Plymouth Scholarship

£6,000

Deadline: N/A

Tamar Engineering Project

£4,500

Deadline: Jun 2026

International Postgraduate Welcome to Plymouth Scholarship

£4,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Cumbria vs University of Plymouth: common questions

Is University of Cumbria or University of Plymouth cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,000 a year at University of Cumbria and £19,200 at University of Plymouth: University of Cumbria is about £3,200 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,900 a year at University of Cumbria and £19,500 at University of Plymouth: University of Cumbria is about £2,600 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 Cumbria and University of Plymouth?

Both universities teach 33 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Childhood & Youth Studies, Design & Fashion, Psychology (General), Law, Ecology & Conservation, Business Studies, Film Production & Cinematography, Biomedical Sciences, Sociology & Criminology, Adult Nursing, Computer Science and 21 more.

Is University of Cumbria or University of Plymouth better for Business & Management (General)?

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £21,000 three years after graduating from University of Cumbria, and £24,000 from University of Plymouth. Student satisfaction with teaching is 85% at University of Cumbria and 83% at University of Plymouth. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does University of Cumbria or University of Plymouth offer more courses?

University of Plymouth lists 310 courses on CourseOptions and University of Cumbria lists 136 courses.

What can you study at University of Cumbria but not at University of Plymouth?

University of Cumbria teaches 7 subject areas that University of Plymouth does not, including Sport & Exercise Sciences, Forestry & Arboriculture, Health & Social Care, Teacher Training, Learning Disabilities Nursing, Plant Sciences and Welsh Studies.

What can you study at University of Plymouth but not at University of Cumbria?

University of Plymouth teaches 45 subject areas that University of Cumbria does not, including Geology & Earth Sciences, Civil Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Nutrition & Dietetics, Dentistry, Marine Engineering & Technology, Politics & International Relations, English Studies and 37 more.

Ready to explore courses?

Browse available courses, check entry requirements, and find scholarships at each university.

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University of Cumbria136 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses
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University of Plymouth310 courses · 10 scholarshipsBrowse Courses