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.
Lancaster · Guardian UK #101
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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.
4/7
Cumbria
scored higher in 4 categories
3/7
Highlands and Islands (UHI)
scored higher in 3 categories
Quick Verdict
University of Cumbria leads in 4 of 7 categories where both have data (established, employment, international, graduate salary). University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) is ahead on satisfaction, courses, scholarship.
University of Cumbria vs University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) at a glance
University of Cumbria and University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) both teach 26 subject areas, the largest being Childhood & Youth Studies, Sport & Exercise Sciences and Teacher Training. University of Cumbria offers 136 courses across 40 subject areas; University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) offers 244 courses across 70 subject areas.
Of the 15 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Cumbria is higher in 13 and University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) in 1, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Counselling & Psychotherapy: £26,500 three years after graduating from University of Cumbria, against £14,000 from University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI). Of the 17 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) is higher in 11 and University of Cumbria 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 Cumbria
University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI)
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.
Cumbria
14 countries · 2.6% international
- 🇨🇦Canada14.9%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan14.9%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria10.6%
- 🇩🇪Germany8.5%
- 🇮🇪Ireland8.5%
Highlands and Islands (UHI)
17 countries · 2.1% international
- 🇺🇸United States11.1%
- 🌐Brunei8.3%
- 🇮🇪Ireland8.3%
- 🇨🇦Canada5.6%
- 🇩🇪Germany5.6%
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 the Highlands and Islands (UHI)
Childhood & Youth Studies
17 coursesTypical fee £31,000 (PG)
3 coursesFee not available
Sport & Exercise Sciences
10 coursesTypical fee £16,000 (UG)
9 coursesFee not available
Teacher Training
2 coursesTypical fee £16,000 (UG)
14 coursesTypical fee £15,870 (UG)
Hospitality, Events & Tourism
3 coursesTypical fee £16,000 (UG)
11 coursesFee not available
Business & Management (General)
Sociology & Criminology
Design & Fashion
Film Production & Cinematography
Human Geography & Environment
Business Studies
Fine Art
Forestry & Arboriculture
Health & Social Care
Computer Science
Health Sciences & Paramedic Science
Also taught at both: Psychology (General), Counselling & Psychotherapy, Ecology & Conservation, Environmental Sciences, Mechanical Engineering, Physical Geography & Climate, Nursing (General), Adult Nursing, Education Studies, Mental Health Nursing, Management.
Only at University of Cumbria
Only at University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI)
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 the Highlands and Islands (UHI)
- No data
We do not have reliable international fee data for University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) yet.
Postgraduate
- University of Cumbria
- £16,900
- University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI)
- No data
We do not have reliable international fee data for University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) yet.
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 the Highlands and Islands (UHI)
Sport & Exercise Sciences
£21,000Salary (3 years)£15,50084%Satisfaction79%Teacher Training
£25,000Salary (3 years)No data82%Satisfaction99%Hospitality, Events & Tourism
£21,000Salary (3 years)£18,00082%Satisfaction79%Business & Management (General)
£21,000Salary (3 years)£18,00085%Satisfaction85%Sociology & Criminology
£19,500Salary (3 years)£18,50070%Satisfaction95%Design & Fashion
£17,000Salary (3 years)£15,50074%Satisfaction65%Film Production & Cinematography
£17,000Salary (3 years)£15,00077%Satisfaction65%Human Geography & Environment
£19,000Salary (3 years)£17,00077%Satisfaction91%Business Studies
£21,000Salary (3 years)£18,00089%Satisfaction98%Fine Art
£17,000Salary (3 years)£15,00091%Satisfaction73%Forestry & Arboriculture
£23,500Salary (3 years)£19,50092%Satisfaction96%Health & Social Care
£18,500Salary (3 years)£18,50073%Satisfaction84%
Showing the 12 largest of 18 shared subjects with published outcomes.
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveUniversity of the Highlands and Islands (UHI)
Barns-Graham Travel Scholarship
£1,500
Deadline: Oct 2026
Scottish Land Commission Prize
£1,000
Deadline: N/A
Barns-Graham Assistance Award
£1,000
Deadline: Oct 2026
Dorothy Dunnett Centenary Awards
£1,000
Deadline: Dec 2026
Rural and Islands Bursary Fund
£1,000
Deadline: Oct 2026
FAQ
University of Cumbria vs University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI): common questions
What subjects can you study at both University of Cumbria and University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI)?
Both universities teach 26 subject areas: Childhood & Youth Studies, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Teacher Training, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Business & Management (General), Sociology & Criminology, Design & Fashion, Film Production & Cinematography, Human Geography & Environment, Business Studies, Fine Art, Forestry & Arboriculture and 14 more.
Is University of Cumbria or University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) better for Sport & Exercise Sciences?
Sport & Exercise Sciences graduates earn a median £21,000 three years after graduating from University of Cumbria, and £15,500 from University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI). Student satisfaction with teaching is 84% at University of Cumbria and 79% at University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI). Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does University of Cumbria or University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) offer more courses?
University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) lists 244 courses on CourseOptions and University of Cumbria lists 136 courses.
What can you study at University of Cumbria but not at University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI)?
University of Cumbria teaches 14 subject areas that University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) does not, including Law, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Zoology & Animal Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Medical Imaging, Midwifery, Applied Psychology, Biomedical Engineering and 6 more.
What can you study at University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) but not at University of Cumbria?
University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) teaches 44 subject areas that University of Cumbria does not, including Cultural Studies, Archaeology, History, Agriculture & Land Management, Music, English Literature, Philosophy, Drama & Theatre and 36 more.
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