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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

U
University of South Wales

Pontypridd · QS World #1201

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 7 datapoints

We looked at 7 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

1/7

Cumbria

scored higher in 1 category

VS

6/7

South Wales

scored higher in 6 categories

Quick Verdict

University of South Wales leads in 6 of 7 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, international, courses, scholarship). University of Cumbria is ahead on employment.

University of Cumbria vs University of South Wales at a glance

University of Cumbria and University of South Wales both teach 26 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Psychology (General) and Childhood & Youth Studies. University of Cumbria offers 136 courses across 40 subject areas; University of South Wales offers 331 courses across 63 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,000 a year at University of Cumbria and £16,200 at University of South Wales, so the two cost about the same. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,900 a year at University of Cumbria and £17,900 at University of South Wales: University of Cumbria is about £1,000 a year cheaper.

Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of South Wales is higher in 9 and University of Cumbria in 8, with 3 about level. The widest gap is in Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation: £28,500 three years after graduating from University of Cumbria, against £22,500 from University of South Wales. Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of South Wales is higher in 15 and University of Cumbria in 5.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
#1201
—
THE World
#1201
#101
Guardian UK
#83
2007
Established
1913
No
Russell Group
No
Silver
TEF Rating
—

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 South Wales

80.5%
86.7%

Satisfaction

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

£27,400
£27,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

89.4%
84.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

2.6%
22%

International

International student share

136
331

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

1
23

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

South Wales

71 countries · 22% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria17.6%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh16.6%
  • 🇮🇳India16.1%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan15.7%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka6.6%

Subjects

26 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 South Wales

Also taught at both: Computer Science, Health & Social Care, Games Design & Computer Animation, Human Geography & Environment, Biomedical Sciences, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Management, Midwifery, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Fine Art, Social Work.

Only at University of Cumbria

Only at University of South Wales

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 South Wales
£16,200

About the same.

Postgraduate

University of Cumbria
£16,900
University of South Wales
£17,900

University of Cumbria is about £1,000 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 South Wales

  • Business & Management (General)

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
    85%Satisfaction94%

  • Psychology (General)

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    87%Satisfaction90%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    84%Satisfaction87%

  • Law

    £18,500Salary (3 years)£20,000
    95%Satisfaction96%

  • Film Production & Cinematography

    £17,000Salary (3 years)£18,000
    77%Satisfaction87%

  • Design & Fashion

    £17,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    74%Satisfaction88%

  • Nursing (General)

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£34,500
    74%Satisfaction83%

  • Health Sciences & Paramedic Science

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    98%Satisfaction97%

  • Teacher Training

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    82%Satisfaction97%

  • Counselling & Psychotherapy

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    94%Satisfaction98%

  • Business Studies

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
    89%Satisfaction91%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£20,500
    70%Satisfaction83%

Showing the 12 largest of 20 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 South Wales

USW Postgraduate Refugee Sanctuary Scheme

100%

Deadline: N/A

USW Postgraduate Sanctuary Scholarship 2026/2027

100%

Deadline: Jul 2026

USW Postgraduate Sanctuary Scholarship 2027/2028

100%

Deadline: Jul 2027

USW Refugee Sanctuary Scheme

100%

Deadline: N/A

Undergraduate Sanctuary Scholarship 2026/2027

100%

Deadline: Jul 2026

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Cumbria vs University of South Wales: common questions

Is University of Cumbria or University of South Wales cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,000 a year at University of Cumbria and £16,200 at University of South Wales, so the two cost about the same. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,900 a year at University of Cumbria and £17,900 at University of South Wales: University of Cumbria is about £1,000 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 South Wales?

Both universities teach 26 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Psychology (General), Childhood & Youth Studies, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Law, Film Production & Cinematography, Design & Fashion, Nursing (General), Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Teacher Training, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Business Studies and 14 more.

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

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £21,000 three years after graduating from University of Cumbria, and £19,000 from University of South Wales. Student satisfaction with teaching is 85% at University of Cumbria and 94% at University of South Wales. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does University of Cumbria or University of South Wales offer more courses?

University of South Wales lists 331 courses on CourseOptions and University of Cumbria lists 136 courses.

What can you study at University of Cumbria but not at University of South Wales?

University of Cumbria teaches 14 subject areas that University of South Wales does not, including Forestry & Arboriculture, Ecology & Conservation, Zoology & Animal Biology, Adult Nursing, Environmental Sciences, Medical Imaging, Mental Health Nursing, Applied Psychology and 6 more.

What can you study at University of South Wales but not at University of Cumbria?

University of South Wales teaches 37 subject areas that University of Cumbria does not, including Healthcare Science, Aerospace Engineering, Building & Construction, Software Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Forensic Science, Marketing 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 Cumbria136 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses
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University of South Wales331 courses · 23 scholarshipsBrowse Courses