Skip to main content

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 the West of Scotland

Paisley · Guardian UK #115

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.

4/8

Cumbria

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

4/8

West of Scotland

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Cumbria and University of the West of Scotland are evenly matched: each leads in 4 of 8 categories where both have data. University of Cumbria is ahead on ranking, employment, courses, scholarship; University of the West of Scotland on established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary.

University of Cumbria vs University of the West of Scotland at a glance

University of Cumbria and University of the West of Scotland both teach 24 subject areas, the largest being Childhood & Youth Studies, Business Studies and Sport & Exercise Sciences. University of Cumbria offers 136 courses across 40 subject areas; University of the West of Scotland offers 119 courses across 49 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,000 a year at University of Cumbria and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,900 a year at University of Cumbria and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £620 a year cheaper.

Of the 14 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of the West of Scotland is higher in 8 and University of Cumbria in 3, with 3 about level. The widest gap is in Health & Social Care: £18,500 three years after graduating from University of Cumbria, against £26,000 from University of the West of Scotland. Of the 11 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of the West of Scotland is higher in 9 and University of Cumbria in 2.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
—
—
THE World
#601
#101
Guardian UK
#115
2007
Established
1897
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 the West of Scotland

80.5%
89%

Satisfaction

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

£27,400
£31,134.9

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

89.4%
81.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

2.6%
30.3%

International

International student share

136
119

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

West of Scotland

33 countries · 30.3% international

  • 🇵🇰Pakistan36.2%
  • 🌐Nepal20.4%
  • 🇮🇳India19.3%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria7.4%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh5.3%

Subjects

24 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 West of Scotland

Also taught at both: Health & Social Care, Nursing (General), Social Work, Adult Nursing, Biomedical Sciences, Education Studies, Environmental Sciences, Mental Health Nursing, Midwifery.

Only at University of Cumbria

Only at University of the West of Scotland

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 West of Scotland
£15,500

University of the West of Scotland is about £500 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Cumbria
£16,900
University of the West of Scotland
£16,280

University of the West of Scotland is about £620 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 the West of Scotland

  • Business Studies

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    89%Satisfaction75%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    84%Satisfaction91%

  • Teacher Training

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    82%Satisfaction94%

  • Design & Fashion

    £17,000Salary (3 years)£17,500
    74%Satisfaction91%

  • Health Sciences & Paramedic Science

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    98%Satisfaction99%

  • Law

    £18,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    95%SatisfactionNo data

  • Hospitality, Events & Tourism

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

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    70%SatisfactionNo data

  • Zoology & Animal Biology

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
    88%SatisfactionNo data

  • Health & Social Care

    £18,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    73%Satisfaction90%

  • Social Work

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    70%Satisfaction88%

  • Adult Nursing

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

Showing the 12 largest of 14 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 the West of Scotland

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Cumbria vs University of the West of Scotland: common questions

Is University of Cumbria or University of the West of Scotland cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,000 a year at University of Cumbria and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,900 a year at University of Cumbria and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £620 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 the West of Scotland?

Both universities teach 24 subject areas: Childhood & Youth Studies, Business Studies, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Teacher Training, Business & Management (General), Design & Fashion, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Law, Psychology (General), Applied Psychology, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Human Geography & Environment and 12 more.

Is University of Cumbria or University of the West of Scotland better for Business Studies?

Business Studies graduates earn a median £21,000 three years after graduating from University of Cumbria, and £21,000 from University of the West of Scotland. Student satisfaction with teaching is 89% at University of Cumbria and 75% at University of the West of Scotland. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does University of Cumbria or University of the West of Scotland offer more courses?

University of Cumbria lists 136 courses on CourseOptions and University of the West of Scotland lists 119 courses.

What can you study at University of Cumbria but not at University of the West of Scotland?

University of Cumbria teaches 16 subject areas that University of the West of Scotland does not, including Film Production & Cinematography, Forestry & Arboriculture, Ecology & Conservation, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Computer Science, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Fine Art, Medical Imaging and 8 more.

What can you study at University of the West of Scotland but not at University of Cumbria?

University of the West of Scotland teaches 25 subject areas that University of Cumbria does not, including Applied Computing, Business Information Systems, Chemistry, Computing & IT, General Engineering, Accounting, Physics, Social Sciences (General) and 17 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

U
University of Cumbria136 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses
U
University of the West of Scotland119 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses