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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 Portsmouth

Portsmouth · QS World #662

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.

7/11

Exeter

scored higher in 7 categories

VS

4/11

Portsmouth

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Exeter leads in 7 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, satisfaction, graduate salary, courses). University of Portsmouth is ahead on established, employment, international, scholarship.

University of Exeter vs University of Portsmouth at a glance

University of Exeter and University of Portsmouth both teach 53 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 Portsmouth offers 446 courses across 84 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,950 a year at University of Exeter and £17,900 at University of Portsmouth: University of Portsmouth is about £7,050 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,550 a year at University of Exeter and £18,600 at University of Portsmouth: University of Portsmouth is about £6,950 a year cheaper.

Of the 34 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Exeter is higher in 28 and University of Portsmouth in 3, with 3 about level. The widest gap is in Accounting: £43,500 three years after graduating from University of Exeter, against £27,500 from University of Portsmouth. Of the 36 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Exeter is higher in 17 and University of Portsmouth in 17, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#136
QS World
#662
#170
THE World
#401
#14
Guardian UK
#55
1922
Established
1869
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 Portsmouth

87.7%
86.9%

Satisfaction

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

£39,800
£32,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.8%
84.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.2%
24.5%

International

International student share

873
446

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

Portsmouth

96 countries · 24.5% international

  • 🇮🇳India22.1%
  • 🇨🇳China11.6%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria7.8%
  • 🌐Kuwait7.1%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan5.6%

Subjects

53 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 Portsmouth

Also taught at both: Civil Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Media & Film Studies, Accounting, Ancient Languages, Psychology (General), Human Geography & Environment, Mechanical Engineering, Building & Construction, Childhood & Youth Studies, Ecology & Conservation, Education Studies, Geology & Earth Sciences, Film Production & Cinematography, Marketing, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Human Resource Management, Anatomy & Pathology, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Creative Writing, Environmental Sciences, Physical Geography & Climate, Public Health & Epidemiology, Biochemistry, Drama & Theatre, English Language, Information Systems & Data Science, Nursing (General), Social Sciences (General), Applied Psychology, Biology, Adult Nursing, Biomedical Engineering, Software Engineering, Clinical & Health Psychology, Computing & IT, Medical Imaging.

Only at University of Exeter

Only at University of Portsmouth

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 Portsmouth
£17,900

University of Portsmouth is about £7,050 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Exeter
£25,550
University of Portsmouth
£18,600

University of Portsmouth is about £6,950 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 Portsmouth

  • Politics & International Relations

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    88%Satisfaction87%

  • Mathematics

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    88%Satisfaction87%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £39,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    84%Satisfaction87%

  • Law

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    86%Satisfaction88%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    91%Satisfaction87%

  • Computer Science

    £40,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    83%Satisfaction82%

  • Physics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    94%Satisfaction97%

  • History

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    92%Satisfaction90%

  • General Engineering

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    59%Satisfaction84%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £39,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    84%Satisfaction93%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    83%Satisfaction84%

  • Economics

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    88%Satisfaction85%

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 Portsmouth

Portsmouth Football Club Partnership Scholarship

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

Estée Lauder Companies - Whitman Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Portsmouth Football Club Partnership Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Language Bursary

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Exeter vs University of Portsmouth: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,950 a year at University of Exeter and £17,900 at University of Portsmouth: University of Portsmouth is about £7,050 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,550 a year at University of Exeter and £18,600 at University of Portsmouth: University of Portsmouth is about £6,950 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 Portsmouth?

Both universities teach 53 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Mathematics, Business & Management (General), Law, Sociology & Criminology, Computer Science, Physics, History, General Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Economics and 41 more.

Is University of Exeter or University of Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth. Student satisfaction with teaching is 88% at University of Exeter and 87% at University of Portsmouth. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Exeter lists 873 courses on CourseOptions and University of Portsmouth lists 446 courses.

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

University of Exeter teaches 38 subject areas that University of Portsmouth does not, including Classical Studies, English Studies, Philosophy, History of Art & Design, Theology & Religious Studies, Archaeology, Zoology & Animal Biology, Geography (General) and 30 more.

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

University of Portsmouth teaches 31 subject areas that University of Exeter does not, including Design & Fashion, Games Design & Computer Animation, Social Policy & Public Policy, Teacher Training, Architecture, Counselling & Psychotherapy, English Literature, Hospitality, Events & Tourism and 23 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 Portsmouth446 courses · 5 scholarshipsBrowse Courses