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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 Plymouth

Plymouth · QS World #691

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.

8/11

Exeter

scored higher in 8 categories

VS

3/11

Plymouth

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Exeter leads in 8 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses). University of Plymouth is ahead on established, employment, scholarship.

University of Exeter vs University of Plymouth at a glance

University of Exeter and University of Plymouth both teach 54 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Mathematics and Business & Management (General). University of Exeter offers 873 courses across 91 subject areas; University of Plymouth offers 310 courses across 78 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,950 a year at University of Exeter and £19,200 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £5,750 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,550 a year at University of Exeter and £19,500 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £6,050 a year cheaper.

Of the 34 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Exeter is higher in 31 and University of Plymouth in 2, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Accounting: £43,500 three years after graduating from University of Exeter, against £24,000 from University of Plymouth. Of the 33 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Plymouth is higher in 17 and University of Exeter in 16.

World & National Rankings

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

#136
QS World
#691
#170
THE World
#501
#14
Guardian UK
#56
1922
Established
1862
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 Plymouth

87.7%
86.6%

Satisfaction

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

£39,800
£30,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.8%
84.2%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.2%
11.9%

International

International student share

873
310

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

2
10

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

Plymouth

71 countries · 11.9% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria14.6%
  • 🇨🇳China12.2%
  • 🇮🇳India11%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.7%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka3.3%

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 Plymouth

Also taught at both: Ecology & Conservation, Economics, Human Geography & Environment, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Business Studies, Media & Film Studies, Physical Geography & Climate, Zoology & Animal Biology, Management, Mechanical Engineering, Accounting, Anatomy & Pathology, Environmental Sciences, Film Production & Cinematography, Chemical Engineering, Childhood & Youth Studies, Geography (General), Adult Nursing, Marketing, Nutrition & Dietetics, Anthropology, Creative Writing, Drama & Theatre, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biological Sciences (General), Human Resource Management, Nursing (General), Statistics, Biology, Building & Construction, Clinical & Health Psychology, Education Studies, Medical Imaging, Social Sciences (General), Software Engineering, Applied Psychology, Biomedical Engineering, Medicine.

Only at University of Exeter

Only at University of Plymouth

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 Plymouth
£19,200

University of Plymouth is about £5,750 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Exeter
£25,550
University of Plymouth
£19,500

University of Plymouth is about £6,050 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 Plymouth

  • Politics & International Relations

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    88%Satisfaction86%

  • Mathematics

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    88%Satisfaction86%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £39,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    84%Satisfaction83%

  • Law

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£21,500
    86%Satisfaction84%

  • History

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    92%Satisfaction94%

  • English Studies

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    92%Satisfaction94%

  • Geology & Earth Sciences

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    94%Satisfaction91%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £39,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    84%Satisfaction90%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    88%Satisfaction84%

  • Computer Science

    £40,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    83%Satisfaction72%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    91%Satisfaction83%

  • Psychology (General)

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£21,500
    93%Satisfaction84%

Showing the 12 largest of 36 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 Plymouth

GREAT Scholarships

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

International Undergraduate Welcome to Plymouth Scholarship

£6,000

Deadline: N/A

Tamar Engineering Project

£4,500

Deadline: Jun 2026

International Postgraduate Welcome to Plymouth Scholarship

£4,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Exeter vs University of Plymouth: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,950 a year at University of Exeter and £19,200 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £5,750 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,550 a year at University of Exeter and £19,500 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £6,050 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 Plymouth?

Both universities teach 54 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Mathematics, Business & Management (General), Law, History, English Studies, Geology & Earth Sciences, Finance & Actuarial Science, Biomedical Sciences, Computer Science, Sociology & Criminology, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science and 42 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £30,500 three years after graduating from University of Exeter, and £24,000 from University of Plymouth. Student satisfaction with teaching is 88% at University of Exeter and 86% at University of Plymouth. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Exeter lists 873 courses on CourseOptions and University of Plymouth lists 310 courses.

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

University of Exeter teaches 37 subject areas that University of Plymouth does not, including Physics, Classical Studies, Philosophy, History of Art & Design, Theology & Religious Studies, Ancient Languages, Archaeology, Biochemistry and 29 more.

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

University of Plymouth teaches 24 subject areas that University of Exeter does not, including Design & Fashion, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Dentistry, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Marine Engineering & Technology, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Chemistry, Children's Nursing and 16 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 Plymouth310 courses · 10 scholarshipsBrowse Courses