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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 Derby

Derby · QS World #1201

U
University of South Wales

Pontypridd · QS World #1201

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 9 datapoints

We looked at 9 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

7/9

Derby

scored higher in 7 categories

VS

2/9

South Wales

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Derby leads in 7 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, employment, graduate salary, courses). University of South Wales is ahead on international, scholarship.

University of Derby vs University of South Wales at a glance

University of Derby and University of South Wales both teach 48 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Psychology (General) and Design & Fashion. University of Derby offers 375 courses across 74 subject areas; University of South Wales offers 331 courses across 63 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,900 a year at University of Derby and £16,200 at University of South Wales: University of South Wales is about £700 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,500 a year at University of Derby and £17,900 at University of South Wales: University of Derby is about £400 a year cheaper.

Of the 36 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Derby is higher in 19 and University of South Wales in 13, with 4 about level. The widest gap is in Building & Construction: £26,500 three years after graduating from University of Derby, against £40,500 from University of South Wales. Of the 35 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Derby is higher in 17 and University of South Wales in 15, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#1201
QS World
#1201
#601
THE World
#1201
#80
Guardian UK
#83
1851
Established
1913
No
Russell Group
No
Gold
TEF Rating
—

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 South Wales

88.5%
86.7%

Satisfaction

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

£27,700
£27,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

85.4%
84.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

14.3%
22%

International

International student share

375
331

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

6
23

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

South Wales

71 countries · 22% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria17.6%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh16.6%
  • 🇮🇳India16.1%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan15.7%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka6.6%

Subjects

48 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 South Wales

Also taught at both: Nursing (General), Education Studies, Accounting, Forensic Science, Health & Social Care, Business Studies, English Studies, Games Design & Computer Animation, Music, Software Engineering, Childhood & Youth Studies, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, History, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Journalism, Mechanical Engineering, Applied Computing, Computer Science, Biology, Drama & Theatre, Politics & International Relations, Biomedical Sciences, Human Resource Management, Management, Social Work, Complementary & Alternative Medicine, Fine Art, General Engineering, Human Geography & Environment, Midwifery, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Public Health & Epidemiology.

Only at University of Derby

Only at University of South Wales

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 South Wales
£16,200

University of South Wales is about £700 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Derby
£17,500
University of South Wales
£17,900

University of Derby is about £400 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 South Wales

  • Business & Management (General)

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
    93%Satisfaction94%

  • Psychology (General)

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£19,500
    90%Satisfaction90%

  • Design & Fashion

    £19,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    85%Satisfaction88%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £22,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    90%Satisfaction87%

  • Law

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£20,000
    87%Satisfaction96%

  • Sociology & Criminology

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

  • Marketing

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£19,000
    88%Satisfaction94%

  • Teacher Training

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    No dataSatisfaction97%

  • Building & Construction

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£40,500
    91%Satisfaction88%

  • Counselling & Psychotherapy

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    93%Satisfaction98%

  • Film Production & Cinematography

    £17,500Salary (3 years)£18,000
    80%Satisfaction87%

  • Civil Engineering

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    92%Satisfaction83%

Showing the 12 largest of 36 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 South Wales

USW Postgraduate Refugee Sanctuary Scheme

100%

Deadline: N/A

USW Postgraduate Sanctuary Scholarship 2026/2027

100%

Deadline: Jul 2026

USW Postgraduate Sanctuary Scholarship 2027/2028

100%

Deadline: Jul 2027

USW Refugee Sanctuary Scheme

100%

Deadline: N/A

Undergraduate Sanctuary Scholarship 2026/2027

100%

Deadline: Jul 2026

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Derby vs University of South Wales: common questions

Is University of Derby or University of South Wales cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,900 a year at University of Derby and £16,200 at University of South Wales: University of South Wales is about £700 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,500 a year at University of Derby and £17,900 at University of South Wales: University of Derby is about £400 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 South Wales?

Both universities teach 48 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Psychology (General), Design & Fashion, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Law, Sociology & Criminology, Marketing, Teacher Training, Building & Construction, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Film Production & Cinematography, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science and 36 more.

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

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £21,000 three years after graduating from University of Derby, and £19,000 from University of South Wales. Student satisfaction with teaching is 93% at University of Derby and 94% at University of South Wales. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does University of Derby or University of South Wales offer more courses?

University of Derby lists 375 courses on CourseOptions and University of South Wales lists 331 courses.

What can you study at University of Derby but not at University of South Wales?

University of Derby teaches 26 subject areas that University of South Wales does not, including Economics, Adult Nursing, Creative Writing, Mental Health Nursing, Architecture, Personal & Professional Development, Business Information Systems, Manufacturing & Production Engineering and 18 more.

What can you study at University of South Wales but not at University of Derby?

University of South Wales teaches 15 subject areas that University of Derby does not, including Healthcare Science, Aerospace Engineering, Community & Specialist Nursing, Chemistry, Information Systems & Data Science, Social Sciences (General), Specialist Clinical Nursing, Animal Science and 7 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 South Wales331 courses · 23 scholarshipsBrowse Courses