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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 Exeter

Devon · QS World #136

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University of Leeds

Leeds · QS World #77

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 11 datapoints

We looked at 11 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

6/11

Exeter

scored higher in 6 categories

VS

5/11

Leeds

scored higher in 5 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Exeter leads in 6 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, TEF, satisfaction, employment, graduate salary, courses). University of Leeds is ahead on ranking, established, international, scholarship.

University of Exeter vs University of Leeds at a glance

University of Exeter and University of Leeds both teach 71 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Physics and Mathematics. University of Exeter offers 873 courses across 91 subject areas; University of Leeds offers 579 courses across 110 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,950 a year at University of Exeter and £33,700 at University of Leeds: University of Exeter is about £8,750 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,550 a year at University of Exeter and £31,500 at University of Leeds: University of Exeter is about £5,950 a year cheaper.

Of the 41 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Exeter is higher in 28 and University of Leeds in 12, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Ecology & Conservation: £19,500 three years after graduating from University of Exeter, against £26,000 from University of Leeds. Of the 44 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Exeter is higher in 29 and University of Leeds in 12, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#136
QS World
#77
#170
THE World
#118
#14
Guardian UK
#15
1922
Established
1904
Yes
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 Exeter

University of Leeds

87.7%
85.7%

Satisfaction

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

£39,800
£37,200

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.8%
82.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.2%
31.5%

International

International student share

873
579

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

2
13

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.

Exeter

111 countries · 22.2% international

  • 🇨🇳China25.1%
  • 🇮🇳India10.9%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong10%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia2.9%
  • 🇺🇸United States2.8%
VS

Leeds

105 countries · 31.5% international

  • 🇨🇳China49.5%
  • 🇮🇳India9.6%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.9%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.4%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.8%

Subjects

71 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 Exeter

University of Leeds

Also taught at both: Media & Film Studies, History of Art & Design, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, General Engineering, Ancient Languages, Biomedical Sciences, Geology & Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Environment, Theology & Religious Studies, Ecology & Conservation, Psychology (General), Management, Zoology & Animal Biology, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Drama & Theatre, Mechanical Engineering, Anatomy & Pathology, Education Studies, Marketing, Childhood & Youth Studies, Environmental Sciences, Natural Sciences, Physical Geography & Climate, Biochemistry, Biological Sciences (General), Public Health & Epidemiology, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, Film Production & Cinematography, Human Resource Management, Information Systems & Data Science, Medical Imaging, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biology, Genetics & Genomics, Health & Social Care, Nutrition & Dietetics, Humanities, Creative Writing, Cultural Studies, Eastern European Languages, Social Sciences (General), Statistics, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Liberal Arts, Medicine, Applied Psychology, Clinical & Health Psychology, English Language, French, German & Scandinavian Studies, Italian, Adult Nursing, Materials Science, Software Engineering.

Only at University of Exeter

Only at University of Leeds

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 Exeter
£24,950
University of Leeds
£33,700

University of Exeter is about £8,750 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Exeter
£25,550
University of Leeds
£31,500

University of Exeter is about £5,950 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 Exeter

University of Leeds

  • Politics & International Relations

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£28,500
    88%Satisfaction85%

  • Physics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    94%Satisfaction89%

  • Mathematics

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£31,500
    88%Satisfaction83%

  • Civil Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    83%Satisfaction89%

  • Law

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    86%Satisfaction87%

  • History

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    92%Satisfaction94%

  • Computer Science

    £40,500Salary (3 years)£42,000
    83%Satisfaction79%

  • Philosophy

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    89%Satisfaction85%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    91%Satisfaction82%

  • Economics

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£36,000
    88%Satisfaction88%

  • English Studies

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    92%Satisfaction89%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £39,000Salary (3 years)£35,000
    84%Satisfaction93%

Showing the 12 largest of 44 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Exeter

Bell Burnell Graduate Scholarship Fund

See details

Deadline: N/A

Carolyn and Andrew Trevorrow Memorial Fund Travel Bursaries

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

University of Leeds

Gazan Humanitarian Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Gazan Humanitarian Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Global Community Bursary

£10,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

Sanctuary Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Exeter vs University of Leeds: common questions

Is University of Exeter or University of Leeds cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,950 a year at University of Exeter and £33,700 at University of Leeds: University of Exeter is about £8,750 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,550 a year at University of Exeter and £31,500 at University of Leeds: University of Exeter is about £5,950 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 Exeter and University of Leeds?

Both universities teach 71 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Physics, Mathematics, Civil Engineering, Law, History, Computer Science, Business & Management (General), Philosophy, Sociology & Criminology, Economics, English Studies and 59 more.

Is University of Exeter or University of Leeds better for Politics & International Relations?

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £30,500 three years after graduating from University of Exeter, and £28,500 from University of Leeds. Student satisfaction with teaching is 88% at University of Exeter and 85% at University of Leeds. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does University of Exeter or University of Leeds offer more courses?

University of Exeter lists 873 courses on CourseOptions and University of Leeds lists 579 courses.

What can you study at University of Exeter but not at University of Leeds?

University of Exeter teaches 20 subject areas that University of Leeds does not, including Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Archaeology, Accounting, Geography (General), Safety & Mining Engineering, Anthropology, Applied Biology & Human Biology, Clinical Specialities and 12 more.

What can you study at University of Leeds but not at University of Exeter?

University of Leeds teaches 39 subject areas that University of Exeter does not, including Chemistry, Design & Fashion, Music, Personal & Professional Development, Asian Languages & Studies, Linguistics, Social Policy & Public Policy, Aerospace Engineering and 31 more.

Ready to explore courses?

Browse available courses, check entry requirements, and find scholarships at each university.

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University of Exeter873 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of Leeds579 courses · 13 scholarshipsBrowse Courses