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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 the West of Scotland

Paisley · Guardian UK #115

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 8 datapoints

We looked at 8 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

5/8

Derby

scored higher in 5 categories

VS

3/8

West of Scotland

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Derby leads in 5 of 8 categories where both have data (ranking, established, employment, courses, scholarship). University of the West of Scotland is ahead on satisfaction, international, graduate salary.

University of Derby vs University of the West of Scotland at a glance

University of Derby and University of the West of Scotland both teach 41 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 the West of Scotland offers 119 courses across 49 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,900 a year at University of Derby and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £1,400 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,500 a year at University of Derby and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £1,220 a year cheaper.

Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Derby is higher in 9 and University of the West of Scotland in 9, with 4 about level. The widest gap is in Teacher Training: £26,500 three years after graduating from University of Derby, against £32,000 from University of the West of Scotland. Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Derby is higher in 10 and University of the West of Scotland in 10.

World & National Rankings

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

#1201
QS World
—
#601
THE World
#601
#80
Guardian UK
#115
1851
Established
1897
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 the West of Scotland

88.5%
89%

Satisfaction

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

£27,700
£31,134.9

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

85.4%
81.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

14.3%
30.3%

International

International student share

375
119

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

6
0

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

West of Scotland

33 countries · 30.3% international

  • 🇵🇰Pakistan36.2%
  • 🌐Nepal20.4%
  • 🇮🇳India19.3%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria7.4%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh5.3%

Subjects

41 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 the West of Scotland

Also taught at both: Education Studies, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Journalism, Adult Nursing, Computing & IT, General Engineering, Mental Health Nursing, Politics & International Relations, Childhood & Youth Studies, Forensic Science, Music, Physics, Social Work, Technology & Logistics, Biomedical Sciences, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Zoology & Animal Biology, Biology, Environmental Sciences, Human Geography & Environment, Public Health & Epidemiology, English Language, Mathematics, Midwifery, Nursing (General).

Only at University of Derby

Only at University of the West of Scotland

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 the West of Scotland
£15,500

University of the West of Scotland is about £1,400 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Derby
£17,500
University of the West of Scotland
£16,280

University of the West of Scotland is about £1,220 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 the West of Scotland

  • Design & Fashion

    £19,000Salary (3 years)£17,500
    85%Satisfaction91%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    85%SatisfactionNo data

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £22,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    90%Satisfaction91%

  • Business Studies

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    79%Satisfaction75%

  • Hospitality, Events & Tourism

    £19,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
    85%Satisfaction93%

  • Teacher Training

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    No dataSatisfaction94%

  • Applied Computing

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£22,000
    78%Satisfaction90%

  • Business Information Systems

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£22,000
    78%Satisfaction85%

  • Law

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    87%SatisfactionNo data

  • Accounting

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    90%Satisfaction86%

  • Health & Social Care

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    95%Satisfaction90%

  • Education Studies

    £20,500Salary (3 years)No data
    98%Satisfaction96%

Showing the 12 largest of 24 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 the West of Scotland

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Derby vs University of the West of Scotland: common questions

Is University of Derby or University of the West of Scotland cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,900 a year at University of Derby and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £1,400 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,500 a year at University of Derby and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £1,220 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 the West of Scotland?

Both universities teach 41 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Design & Fashion, Sociology & Criminology, Marketing, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Business Studies, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Teacher Training, Psychology (General), Applied Computing, Business Information Systems, Law and 29 more.

Is University of Derby or University of the West of Scotland better for Design & Fashion?

Design & Fashion graduates earn a median £19,000 three years after graduating from University of Derby, and £17,500 from University of the West of Scotland. Student satisfaction with teaching is 85% at University of Derby and 91% at University of the West of Scotland. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does University of Derby or University of the West of Scotland offer more courses?

University of Derby lists 375 courses on CourseOptions and University of the West of Scotland lists 119 courses.

What can you study at University of Derby but not at University of the West of Scotland?

University of Derby teaches 33 subject areas that University of the West of Scotland does not, including Economics, English Studies, Civil Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, History, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Creative Writing, Finance & Actuarial Science and 25 more.

What can you study at University of the West of Scotland but not at University of Derby?

University of the West of Scotland teaches 8 subject areas that University of Derby does not, including Chemistry, Applied Psychology, Social Sciences (General), Aerospace Engineering, Community & Specialist Nursing, Creative Arts (General), Cultural Studies and Healthcare Science.

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 the West of Scotland119 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses