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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 Derby

Derby · QS World #1201

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University of Leeds

Leeds · QS World #77

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 12 datapoints

We looked at 12 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

4/12

Derby

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

8/12

Leeds

scored higher in 8 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Leeds leads in 8 of 12 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Derby is ahead on TEF, established, satisfaction, employment.

University of Derby vs University of Leeds at a glance

University of Derby and University of Leeds both teach 56 subject areas, the largest being Civil Engineering, Design & Fashion and Sociology & Criminology. University of Derby offers 375 courses across 74 subject areas; University of Leeds offers 579 courses across 110 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,900 a year at University of Derby and £33,700 at University of Leeds: University of Derby is about £16,800 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,500 a year at University of Derby and £31,500 at University of Leeds: University of Derby is about £14,000 a year cheaper.

Of the 36 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Leeds is higher in 33 and University of Derby in 1, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Business Studies: £21,000 three years after graduating from University of Derby, against £36,000 from University of Leeds. Of the 38 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Derby is higher in 26 and University of Leeds in 9, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#1201
QS World
#77
#601
THE World
#118
#80
Guardian UK
#15
1851
Established
1904
No
Russell Group
Yes
Gold
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 Derby

University of Leeds

88.5%
85.7%

Satisfaction

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

£27,700
£37,200

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

85.4%
82.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

14.3%
31.5%

International

International student share

375
579

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

6
13

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.

Derby

64 countries · 14.3% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria34.5%
  • 🇮🇳India15.3%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan8.1%
  • 🇬🇭Ghana6.5%
  • 🇰🇪Kenya5.5%
VS

Leeds

105 countries · 31.5% international

  • 🇨🇳China49.5%
  • 🇮🇳India9.6%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.9%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.4%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.8%

Subjects

56 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 Derby

University of Leeds

Also taught at both: Music, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, English Studies, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Psychology (General), Mathematics, Personal & Professional Development, Management, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Finance & Actuarial Science, Geology & Earth Sciences, Health & Social Care, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Drama & Theatre, Human Geography & Environment, Medical Imaging, Mechanical Engineering, Teacher Training, Zoology & Animal Biology, Adult Nursing, Creative Writing, Human Resource Management, Journalism, Mental Health Nursing, Architecture, Biomedical Sciences, Childhood & Youth Studies, Ecology & Conservation, Film Production & Cinematography, Biology, Environmental Sciences, Fine Art, Children's Nursing, General Engineering, Public Health & Epidemiology, Software Engineering, Humanities, Social Work, Clinical & Health Psychology, English Language, Midwifery.

Only at University of Derby

Only at University of Leeds

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 Derby
£16,900
University of Leeds
£33,700

University of Derby is about £16,800 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Derby
£17,500
University of Leeds
£31,500

University of Derby is about £14,000 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 Derby

University of Leeds

  • Civil Engineering

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    92%Satisfaction89%

  • Design & Fashion

    £19,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    85%Satisfaction87%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    85%Satisfaction82%

  • Business Studies

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£36,000
    79%Satisfaction84%

  • Economics

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£36,000
    93%Satisfaction88%

  • Law

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    87%Satisfaction87%

  • Marketing

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    88%Satisfaction84%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    92%Satisfaction90%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£28,500
    90%Satisfaction85%

  • Computer Science

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£42,000
    73%Satisfaction79%

  • History

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    100%Satisfaction94%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £22,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    90%Satisfaction75%

Showing the 12 largest of 38 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Derby

Biomedical Science Excellence Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Golding Awards

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sarah Essam Football Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sitwell Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

University of Leeds

Gazan Humanitarian Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Gazan Humanitarian Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Global Community Bursary

£10,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

Sanctuary Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Derby vs University of Leeds: common questions

Is University of Derby or University of Leeds cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,900 a year at University of Derby and £33,700 at University of Leeds: University of Derby is about £16,800 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,500 a year at University of Derby and £31,500 at University of Leeds: University of Derby is about £14,000 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 Derby and University of Leeds?

Both universities teach 56 subject areas: Civil Engineering, Design & Fashion, Sociology & Criminology, Business & Management (General), Physics, Business Studies, Economics, Law, Marketing, Media & Film Studies, Politics & International Relations, Computer Science and 44 more.

Is University of Derby or University of Leeds better for Civil Engineering?

Civil Engineering graduates earn a median £29,000 three years after graduating from University of Derby, and £31,000 from University of Leeds. Student satisfaction with teaching is 92% at University of Derby and 89% at University of Leeds. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does University of Derby or University of Leeds offer more courses?

University of Leeds lists 579 courses on CourseOptions and University of Derby lists 375 courses.

What can you study at University of Derby but not at University of Leeds?

University of Derby teaches 18 subject areas that University of Leeds does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Accounting, Games Design & Computer Animation, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Forensic Science, Applied Computing, Building & Construction, Business Information Systems and 10 more.

What can you study at University of Leeds but not at University of Derby?

University of Leeds teaches 54 subject areas that University of Derby does not, including Chemistry, Philosophy, Ancient Languages, Asian Languages & Studies, Linguistics, Theology & Religious Studies, Biomedical Engineering, Natural Sciences and 46 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of Derby375 courses · 6 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of Leeds579 courses · 13 scholarshipsBrowse Courses