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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

U
University of Nottingham

Nottingham · QS World #97

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

Nottingham

scored higher in 5 categories

Quick Verdict

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

University of Exeter vs University of Nottingham at a glance

University of Exeter and University of Nottingham both teach 72 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Mathematics and Physics. University of Exeter offers 873 courses across 91 subject areas; University of Nottingham offers 580 courses across 98 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,950 a year at University of Exeter and £33,000 at University of Nottingham: University of Exeter is about £8,050 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,550 a year at University of Exeter and £30,800 at University of Nottingham: University of Exeter is about £5,250 a year cheaper.

Of the 35 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Exeter is higher in 16 and University of Nottingham in 15, with 4 about level. The widest gap is in Accounting: £43,500 three years after graduating from University of Exeter, against £33,500 from University of Nottingham. Of the 36 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Exeter is higher in 20 and University of Nottingham in 15, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#136
QS World
#97
#170
THE World
#145
#14
Guardian UK
#21
1922
Established
1881
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 Nottingham

87.7%
86.6%

Satisfaction

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

£39,800
£40,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.8%
79.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.2%
21.1%

International

International student share

873
580

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

2
5

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

Nottingham

98 countries · 21.1% international

  • 🇨🇳China42.6%
  • 🇮🇳India9%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia4.4%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4%
  • 🇹🇷Turkey2.7%

Subjects

72 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 Nottingham

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

Only at University of Exeter

Only at University of Nottingham

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 Nottingham
£33,000

University of Exeter is about £8,050 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Exeter
£25,550
University of Nottingham
£30,800

University of Exeter is about £5,250 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 Nottingham

  • Politics & International Relations

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
    88%Satisfaction88%

  • Mathematics

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    88%Satisfaction81%

  • Physics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    94%Satisfaction88%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£35,500
    83%Satisfaction86%

  • Computer Science

    £40,500Salary (3 years)£36,000
    83%Satisfaction79%

  • History

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    92%Satisfaction89%

  • Philosophy

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    89%Satisfaction93%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £39,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    84%Satisfaction79%

  • Law

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£34,000
    86%Satisfaction89%

  • English Studies

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    92%Satisfaction94%

  • Classical Studies

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    92%Satisfaction88%

  • Civil Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£31,500
    83%Satisfaction92%

Showing the 12 largest of 37 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 Nottingham

Taiwan Research Hub PhD Scholarship 2026/27

£11,000

Deadline: N/A

Molson Coors Award

50%

Deadline: N/A

The Witty Entrepreneurial Scholarship

£750

Deadline: N/A

Hillsborough Trust Memorial Bursary

£500

Deadline: N/A

PhD Scholarships

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Exeter vs University of Nottingham: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,950 a year at University of Exeter and £33,000 at University of Nottingham: University of Exeter is about £8,050 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,550 a year at University of Exeter and £30,800 at University of Nottingham: University of Exeter is about £5,250 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 Nottingham?

Both universities teach 72 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Mathematics, Physics, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Business & Management (General), History, Philosophy, Finance & Actuarial Science, Law, English Studies and 60 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £30,500 three years after graduating from University of Exeter, and £29,500 from University of Nottingham. Student satisfaction with teaching is 88% at University of Exeter and 88% at University of Nottingham. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Exeter lists 873 courses on CourseOptions and University of Nottingham lists 580 courses.

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

University of Exeter teaches 19 subject areas that University of Nottingham does not, including Drama & Theatre, Safety & Mining Engineering, Anthropology, Humanities, Applied Biology & Human Biology, Biological Sciences (General), Naval Architecture, Nursing (General) and 11 more.

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

University of Nottingham teaches 26 subject areas that University of Exeter does not, including Architecture, Biotechnology, Linguistics, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Chemistry, Aerospace Engineering, Veterinary Medicine, Food Science and 18 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 Nottingham580 courses · 5 scholarshipsBrowse Courses