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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 Plymouth

Plymouth · QS World #691

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 10 datapoints

We looked at 10 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

5/10

Derby

scored higher in 5 categories

VS

5/10

Plymouth

scored higher in 5 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Derby and University of Plymouth are evenly matched: each leads in 5 of 10 categories where both have data. University of Derby is ahead on established, satisfaction, employment, international, courses; University of Plymouth on ranking, graduate salary, scholarship.

University of Derby vs University of Plymouth at a glance

University of Derby and University of Plymouth both teach 57 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Design & Fashion and Sociology & Criminology. University of Derby offers 375 courses across 74 subject areas; University of Plymouth offers 310 courses across 78 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,900 a year at University of Derby and £19,200 at University of Plymouth: University of Derby is about £2,300 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,500 a year at University of Derby and £19,500 at University of Plymouth: University of Derby is about £2,000 a year cheaper.

Of the 41 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Plymouth is higher in 28 and University of Derby in 9, with 4 about level. The widest gap is in Games Design & Computer Animation: £21,000 three years after graduating from University of Derby, against £27,500 from University of Plymouth. Of the 38 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Derby is higher in 22 and University of Plymouth in 14, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#1201
QS World
#691
#601
THE World
#501
#80
Guardian UK
#56
1851
Established
1862
No
Russell Group
No
Gold
TEF Rating
Gold

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 Plymouth

88.5%
86.6%

Satisfaction

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

£27,700
£30,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

85.4%
84.2%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

14.3%
11.9%

International

International student share

375
310

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

6
10

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

Plymouth

71 countries · 11.9% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria14.6%
  • 🇨🇳China12.2%
  • 🇮🇳India11%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.7%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka3.3%

Subjects

57 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 Plymouth

Also taught at both: Electronic & Electrical Engineering, History, Politics & International Relations, Computer Science, Education Studies, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Accounting, Creative Writing, Ecology & Conservation, Finance & Actuarial Science, Games Design & Computer Animation, Media & Film Studies, Mental Health Nursing, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Building & Construction, Film Production & Cinematography, Mechanical Engineering, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Architecture, Children's Nursing, Management, Environmental Sciences, Human Geography & Environment, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Mathematics, Software Engineering, Technology & Logistics, Childhood & Youth Studies, Human Resource Management, Medical Imaging, Midwifery, Music, Clinical & Health Psychology, Complementary & Alternative Medicine, General Engineering, Social Work, Zoology & Animal Biology, Biology, Drama & Theatre, Fine Art, Nursing (General), Heritage & Conservation.

Only at University of Derby

Only at University of Plymouth

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 Plymouth
£19,200

University of Derby is about £2,300 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Derby
£17,500
University of Plymouth
£19,500

University of Derby is about £2,000 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 Plymouth

  • Business & Management (General)

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    93%Satisfaction83%

  • Design & Fashion

    £19,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    85%Satisfaction77%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    85%Satisfaction83%

  • Psychology (General)

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£21,500
    90%Satisfaction84%

  • Hospitality, Events & Tourism

    £19,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    85%Satisfaction83%

  • Law

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£21,500
    87%Satisfaction84%

  • Marketing

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    88%Satisfaction90%

  • Geology & Earth Sciences

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    86%Satisfaction91%

  • Civil Engineering

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    92%Satisfaction94%

  • English Studies

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    98%Satisfaction94%

  • Adult Nursing

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    83%Satisfaction87%

  • Business Studies

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    79%Satisfaction74%

Showing the 12 largest of 42 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 Plymouth

GREAT Scholarships

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

International Undergraduate Welcome to Plymouth Scholarship

£6,000

Deadline: N/A

Tamar Engineering Project

£4,500

Deadline: Jun 2026

International Postgraduate Welcome to Plymouth Scholarship

£4,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Derby vs University of Plymouth: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,900 a year at University of Derby and £19,200 at University of Plymouth: University of Derby is about £2,300 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,500 a year at University of Derby and £19,500 at University of Plymouth: University of Derby is about £2,000 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 Plymouth?

Both universities teach 57 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Design & Fashion, Sociology & Criminology, Psychology (General), Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Law, Marketing, Geology & Earth Sciences, Civil Engineering, English Studies, Adult Nursing, Business Studies and 45 more.

Is University of Derby or University of Plymouth better for Business & Management (General)?

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £21,000 three years after graduating from University of Derby, and £24,000 from University of Plymouth. Student satisfaction with teaching is 93% at University of Derby and 83% at University of Plymouth. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Derby lists 375 courses on CourseOptions and University of Plymouth lists 310 courses.

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

University of Derby teaches 17 subject areas that University of Plymouth does not, including Sport & Exercise Sciences, Health & Social Care, Journalism, Forensic Science, Personal & Professional Development, Teacher Training, Applied Computing, Business Information Systems and 9 more.

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

University of Plymouth teaches 21 subject areas that University of Derby does not, including Nutrition & Dietetics, Physical Geography & Climate, Dentistry, Marine Engineering & Technology, Chemistry, Statistics, Agriculture & Land Management, Optometry & Ophthalmics and 13 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 Plymouth310 courses · 10 scholarshipsBrowse Courses