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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 Cumbria

Lancaster · Guardian UK #101

U
University of Sunderland

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.

3/8

Cumbria

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

5/8

Sunderland

scored higher in 5 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Sunderland leads in 5 of 8 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, international, courses). University of Cumbria is ahead on employment, graduate salary, scholarship.

University of Cumbria vs University of Sunderland at a glance

University of Cumbria and University of Sunderland both teach 29 subject areas, the largest being Childhood & Youth Studies, Sport & Exercise Sciences and Law. University of Cumbria offers 136 courses across 40 subject areas; University of Sunderland offers 193 courses across 56 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,000 a year at University of Cumbria and £17,500 at University of Sunderland: University of Cumbria is about £1,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,900 a year at University of Cumbria and £17,000 at University of Sunderland, so the two cost about the same.

Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Cumbria is higher in 9 and University of Sunderland in 8, with 5 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 Sunderland. Of the 21 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Sunderland is higher in 14 and University of Cumbria in 6, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
—
—
THE World
#1501
#101
Guardian UK
#86
2007
Established
1901
No
Russell Group
No
Silver
TEF Rating
Silver

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 Sunderland

80.5%
89.8%

Satisfaction

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

£27,400
£24,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

89.4%
81.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

2.6%
36.5%

International

International student share

136
193

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

1
0

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

Sunderland

56 countries · 36.5% international

  • 🌐Nepal29.5%
  • 🇮🇳India17.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria16.6%
  • 🇨🇳China7.3%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan6.9%

Subjects

29 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 Sunderland

Also taught at both: Education Studies, Sociology & Criminology, Teacher Training, Applied Psychology, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Social Work, Adult Nursing, Biomedical Sciences, Games Design & Computer Animation, Management, Mental Health Nursing, Midwifery, Children's Nursing.

Only at University of Cumbria

Only at University of Sunderland

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 Sunderland
£17,500

University of Cumbria is about £1,500 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Cumbria
£16,900
University of Sunderland
£17,000

About the same.

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 Sunderland

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£19,500
    84%Satisfaction86%

  • Law

    £18,500Salary (3 years)£19,000
    95%Satisfaction95%

  • Hospitality, Events & Tourism

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
    82%Satisfaction93%

  • Film Production & Cinematography

    £17,000Salary (3 years)£17,000
    77%Satisfaction89%

  • Design & Fashion

    £17,000Salary (3 years)£17,000
    74%Satisfaction90%

  • Business Studies

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    89%Satisfaction91%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    85%Satisfaction92%

  • Psychology (General)

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£19,000
    87%Satisfaction88%

  • Health Sciences & Paramedic Science

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    98%Satisfaction84%

  • Nursing (General)

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    74%SatisfactionNo data

  • Fine Art

    £17,000Salary (3 years)£16,000
    91%Satisfaction80%

  • Health & Social Care

    £18,500Salary (3 years)£18,500
    73%Satisfaction96%

Showing the 12 largest of 22 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 Sunderland

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Cumbria vs University of Sunderland: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,000 a year at University of Cumbria and £17,500 at University of Sunderland: University of Cumbria is about £1,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,900 a year at University of Cumbria and £17,000 at University of Sunderland, so the two cost about the same. 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 Sunderland?

Both universities teach 29 subject areas: Childhood & Youth Studies, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Law, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Film Production & Cinematography, Design & Fashion, Business Studies, Business & Management (General), Psychology (General), Computer Science, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Mechanical Engineering and 17 more.

Is University of Cumbria or University of Sunderland better for Sport & Exercise Sciences?

Sport & Exercise Sciences graduates earn a median £21,000 three years after graduating from University of Cumbria, and £19,500 from University of Sunderland. Student satisfaction with teaching is 84% at University of Cumbria and 86% at University of Sunderland. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Sunderland lists 193 courses on CourseOptions and University of Cumbria lists 136 courses.

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

University of Cumbria teaches 11 subject areas that University of Sunderland does not, including Forestry & Arboriculture, Ecology & Conservation, Human Geography & Environment, Zoology & Animal Biology, Environmental Sciences, Medical Imaging, Biomedical Engineering, Learning Disabilities Nursing and 3 more.

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

University of Sunderland teaches 27 subject areas that University of Cumbria does not, including Media & Film Studies, Journalism, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Marketing, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Finance & Actuarial Science, Geology & Earth Sciences and 19 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 Sunderland193 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses