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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

U
University of St Andrews

St Andrews · QS World #115

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.

1/10

Derby

scored higher in 1 category

VS

9/10

St Andrews

scored higher in 9 categories

Quick Verdict

University of St Andrews leads in 9 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Derby is ahead on employment.

University of Derby vs University of St Andrews at a glance

University of Derby and University of St Andrews both teach 35 subject areas, the largest being History, Economics and Politics & International Relations. University of Derby offers 375 courses across 74 subject areas; University of St Andrews offers 1,157 courses across 64 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,900 a year at University of Derby and £30,160 at University of St Andrews: University of Derby is about £13,260 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,500 a year at University of Derby and £27,200 at University of St Andrews: University of Derby is about £9,700 a year cheaper.

Of the 13 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of St Andrews is higher in 13 and University of Derby in 0. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £29,000 three years after graduating from University of Derby, against £51,500 from University of St Andrews. Of the 13 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Derby is higher in 6 and University of St Andrews in 6, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#1201
QS World
#115
#601
THE World
#162
#80
Guardian UK
#3
1851
Established
1413
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 St Andrews

88.5%
93.2%

Satisfaction

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

£27,700
£40,000

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

85.4%
74.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

14.3%
46.1%

International

International student share

375
1157

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

6
62

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

St Andrews

89 countries · 46.1% international

  • 🇺🇸United States42.3%
  • 🇨🇳China9%
  • 🇩🇪Germany4%
  • 🇮🇳India4%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong3.2%

Subjects

35 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 St Andrews

Also taught at both: Finance & Actuarial Science, Law, Creative Writing, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Geology & Earth Sciences, Business Studies, Childhood & Youth Studies, Personal & Professional Development, Physics, Biomedical Sciences, Combined & General Studies, Human Geography & Environment, Ecology & Conservation, Software Engineering, Zoology & Animal Biology, Applied Biology & Human Biology, Computing & IT, Environmental Sciences, Humanities, Heritage & Conservation.

Only at University of Derby

Only at University of St Andrews

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 St Andrews
£30,160

University of Derby is about £13,260 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Derby
£17,500
University of St Andrews
£27,200

University of Derby is about £9,700 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 St Andrews

  • History

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£28,500
    100%Satisfaction97%

  • Economics

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£39,000
    93%Satisfaction93%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    90%Satisfaction95%

  • English Studies

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    98%Satisfaction92%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £20,000Salary (3 years)No data
    92%Satisfaction95%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£37,500
    93%Satisfaction84%

  • Biology

    £19,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    90%Satisfaction96%

  • Psychology (General)

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    90%Satisfaction89%

  • Computer Science

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£51,500
    73%Satisfaction93%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£34,000
    85%SatisfactionNo data

  • Geology & Earth Sciences

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£28,500
    86%Satisfaction97%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    86%Satisfaction81%

Showing the 12 largest of 14 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 St Andrews

Applied Environmental Sciences MSc Awards - Women in Mining (WIM) UK

100%

Deadline: Jun 2026

Environmental Science MSc Awards - The Cunningham Scholarship UK

100%

Deadline: Jun 2026

Masters funding in Digital Health and Care

£10,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

School of Modern Languages Masters Scholarship

100%

Deadline: May 2026

University of Jordan Postgraduate Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Derby vs University of St Andrews: common questions

Is University of Derby or University of St Andrews cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,900 a year at University of Derby and £30,160 at University of St Andrews: University of Derby is about £13,260 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,500 a year at University of Derby and £27,200 at University of St Andrews: University of Derby is about £9,700 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 St Andrews?

Both universities teach 35 subject areas: History, Economics, Politics & International Relations, English Studies, Media & Film Studies, Mathematics, Business & Management (General), Biology, Psychology (General), Computer Science, Sociology & Criminology, Teacher Training and 23 more.

Is University of Derby or University of St Andrews better for History?

History graduates earn a median £19,500 three years after graduating from University of Derby, and £28,500 from University of St Andrews. Student satisfaction with teaching is 100% at University of Derby and 97% at University of St Andrews. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does University of Derby or University of St Andrews offer more courses?

University of St Andrews lists 1,157 courses on CourseOptions and University of Derby lists 375 courses.

What can you study at University of Derby but not at University of St Andrews?

University of Derby teaches 39 subject areas that University of St Andrews does not, including Design & Fashion, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Civil Engineering, Accounting, Health & Social Care, Adult Nursing, Counselling & Psychotherapy and 31 more.

What can you study at University of St Andrews but not at University of Derby?

University of St Andrews teaches 29 subject areas that University of Derby does not, including African & Middle Eastern Studies, French, German & Scandinavian Studies, Italian, Ancient Languages, Classical Studies, History of Art & Design, Theology & Religious Studies and 21 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 St Andrews1,157 courses · 62 scholarshipsBrowse Courses