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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 Exeter

Devon · QS World #136

U
University of Leicester

Leicester · QS World #314

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.

9/11

Exeter

scored higher in 9 categories

VS

2/11

Leicester

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Exeter leads in 9 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary, courses). University of Leicester is ahead on established, scholarship.

University of Exeter vs University of Leicester at a glance

University of Exeter and University of Leicester both teach 54 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Mathematics and Law. University of Exeter offers 873 courses across 91 subject areas; University of Leicester offers 351 courses across 72 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,950 a year at University of Exeter and £25,100 at University of Leicester, so the two cost about the same.

Of the 30 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Exeter is higher in 26 and University of Leicester in 3, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Accounting: £43,500 three years after graduating from University of Exeter, against £27,500 from University of Leicester. Of the 30 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Leicester is higher in 17 and University of Exeter in 11, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#136
QS World
#314
#170
THE World
#192
#14
Guardian UK
#30
1922
Established
1921
Yes
Russell Group
No
Gold
TEF Rating
Gold

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 Leicester

87.7%
86.2%

Satisfaction

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

£39,800
£35,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.8%
79%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.2%
19.3%

International

International student share

873
351

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

2
28

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

Leicester

81 countries · 19.3% international

  • 🇮🇳India36.3%
  • 🇨🇦Canada14.8%
  • 🇨🇳China9.4%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria5.9%
  • 🇦🇪United Arab Emirates1.9%

Subjects

54 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 Leicester

Also taught at both: Ancient Languages, Economics, History of Art & Design, Psychology (General), Geology & Earth Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, Childhood & Youth Studies, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Archaeology, Civil Engineering, Human Geography & Environment, Mechanical Engineering, Accounting, Anatomy & Pathology, Business Studies, Geography (General), Management, Physical Geography & Climate, Marketing, Biochemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Film Production & Cinematography, Health & Social Care, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Genetics & Genomics, Human Resource Management, Humanities, Applied Psychology, Creative Writing, Software Engineering, Cultural Studies, Forensic Science, Medicine, Social Sciences (General), Adult Nursing, Minerals & Mining Technology, Statistics, Medical Imaging.

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 Leicester
£25,100

About the same.

Postgraduate

University of Exeter
£25,550
University of Leicester
No data

We do not have reliable international fee data for University of Leicester yet.

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 Leicester

  • Politics & International Relations

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    88%Satisfaction92%
  • Mathematics

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    88%Satisfaction79%
  • Law

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    86%Satisfaction85%
  • Business & Management (General)

    £39,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    84%Satisfaction82%
  • Physics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    94%Satisfaction90%
  • History

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    92%Satisfaction94%
  • Computer Science

    £40,500Salary (3 years)£36,000
    83%Satisfaction83%
  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £39,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    84%Satisfaction88%
  • Sociology & Criminology

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    91%Satisfaction82%
  • General Engineering

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    59%Satisfaction83%
  • Classical Studies

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    92%Satisfaction99%
  • English Studies

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£22,000
    92%Satisfaction98%

Showing the 12 largest of 31 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 Leicester

International Undergraduate Tuition Fee Waiver

100%

Deadline: N/A

ULSB International Deans Scholarship

£8,000

Deadline: N/A

Leicester-King Power Thai Scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

International Postgraduate Taught Merit Scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

International Undergraduate Merit Scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Exeter vs University of Leicester: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,950 a year at University of Exeter and £25,100 at University of Leicester, so the two cost about the same. 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 Leicester?

Both universities teach 54 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Mathematics, Law, Business & Management (General), Physics, History, Computer Science, Finance & Actuarial Science, Sociology & Criminology, General Engineering, Classical Studies, English Studies and 42 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £30,500 three years after graduating from University of Exeter, and £26,500 from University of Leicester. Student satisfaction with teaching is 88% at University of Exeter and 92% at University of Leicester. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Exeter lists 873 courses on CourseOptions and University of Leicester lists 351 courses.

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

University of Exeter teaches 37 subject areas that University of Leicester does not, including Philosophy, Theology & Religious Studies, Ecology & Conservation, Zoology & Animal Biology, Chemical Engineering, Drama & Theatre, Public Health & Epidemiology, Safety & Mining Engineering and 29 more.

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

University of Leicester teaches 18 subject areas that University of Exeter does not, including Chemistry, Aerospace Engineering, Journalism, Information & Library Studies, Microbiology & Cell Biology, English Literature, Applied Computing, Astronomy & Astrophysics and 10 more.

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