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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 Southampton

Southampton · QS World #111

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

Southampton

scored higher in 8 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Southampton 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 Southampton at a glance

University of Derby and University of Southampton both teach 61 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Electronic & Electrical Engineering and General Engineering. University of Derby offers 375 courses across 74 subject areas; University of Southampton offers 545 courses across 91 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,900 a year at University of Derby and £26,000 at University of Southampton: University of Derby is about £9,100 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,500 a year at University of Derby and £31,200 at University of Southampton: University of Derby is about £13,700 a year cheaper.

Of the 38 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Southampton is higher in 37 and University of Derby in 0, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Games Design & Computer Animation: £21,000 three years after graduating from University of Derby, against £47,000 from University of Southampton. Of the 38 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Derby is higher in 21 and University of Southampton in 13, with 4 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#1201
QS World
#111
#601
THE World
#129
#80
Guardian UK
#16
1851
Established
1862
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 Southampton

88.5%
87%

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%
82.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

14.3%
35.1%

International

International student share

375
545

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

6
52

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

Southampton

103 countries · 35.1% international

  • 🇨🇳China63.5%
  • 🇮🇳India4.8%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia2.8%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia2.6%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.5%

Subjects

61 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 Southampton

Also taught at both: Psychology (General), Computer Science, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Accounting, Business Studies, Education Studies, Environmental Sciences, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Politics & International Relations, English Studies, Health & Social Care, Music, Software Engineering, Adult Nursing, Mathematics, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Teacher Training, Building & Construction, Children's Nursing, Creative Writing, Games Design & Computer Animation, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Management, Mental Health Nursing, Applied Computing, Architecture, Biomedical Sciences, Personal & Professional Development, Biology, Business Information Systems, Clinical & Health Psychology, Clinical Specialities, Technology & Logistics, Fine Art, Human Geography & Environment, Human Resource Management, Nursing (General), Zoology & Animal Biology, Computing & IT, Ecology & Conservation, English Language, Heritage & Conservation, Humanities, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Midwifery.

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 Southampton
£26,000

University of Derby is about £9,100 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Derby
£17,500
University of Southampton
£31,200

University of Derby is about £13,700 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 Southampton

  • Business & Management (General)

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£31,500
    93%Satisfaction80%
  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£40,500
    98%Satisfaction89%
  • Design & Fashion

    £19,000Salary (3 years)£21,500
    85%Satisfaction89%
  • Sociology & Criminology

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    85%Satisfaction86%
  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£39,500
    91%Satisfaction84%
  • Marketing

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    88%Satisfaction88%
  • Civil Engineering

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    92%Satisfaction93%
  • Mechanical Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£34,500
    85%Satisfaction87%
  • Media & Film Studies

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    92%Satisfaction87%
  • History

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    100%Satisfaction91%
  • Economics

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£34,000
    93%Satisfaction85%
  • Law

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£28,500
    87%Satisfaction87%

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 Southampton

Horizon Europe fee waiver

100%

Deadline: N/A

Cowrie Foundation Scholarship

£8,000

Deadline: N/A

Xiamen University PhD Scholarships

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sociology Criminology International Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Southampton Ageing & Gerontology Talent Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Derby vs University of Southampton: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,900 a year at University of Derby and £26,000 at University of Southampton: University of Derby is about £9,100 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,500 a year at University of Derby and £31,200 at University of Southampton: University of Derby is about £13,700 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 Southampton?

Both universities teach 61 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Electronic & Electrical Engineering, General Engineering, Design & Fashion, Sociology & Criminology, Finance & Actuarial Science, Marketing, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Media & Film Studies, History, Economics and 49 more.

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

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £21,000 three years after graduating from University of Derby, and £31,500 from University of Southampton. Student satisfaction with teaching is 93% at University of Derby and 80% at University of Southampton. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Southampton lists 545 courses on CourseOptions and University of Derby lists 375 courses.

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

University of Derby teaches 13 subject areas that University of Southampton does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Journalism, Forensic Science, Film Production & Cinematography, Childhood & Youth Studies, Applied Biology & Human Biology, Drama & Theatre, Medical Imaging and 5 more.

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

University of Southampton teaches 30 subject areas that University of Derby does not, including Aerospace Engineering, Archaeology, Chemical Engineering, Ancient Languages, English Literature, Chemistry, Marine Engineering & Technology, Philosophy and 22 more.

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