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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 Southampton

Southampton · QS World #111

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

Southampton

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 Southampton is ahead on ranking, established, international, scholarship.

University of Exeter vs University of Southampton at a glance

University of Exeter and University of Southampton both teach 61 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, General Engineering and Business & Management (General). University of Exeter offers 873 courses across 91 subject areas; University of Southampton offers 545 courses across 91 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,950 a year at University of Exeter and £26,000 at University of Southampton: University of Exeter is about £1,050 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,550 a year at University of Exeter and £31,200 at University of Southampton: University of Exeter is about £5,650 a year cheaper.

Of the 38 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Exeter is higher in 23 and University of Southampton in 14, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Accounting: £43,500 three years after graduating from University of Exeter, against £29,500 from University of Southampton. Of the 39 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Southampton is higher in 20 and University of Exeter in 18, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#136
QS World
#111
#170
THE World
#129
#14
Guardian UK
#16
1922
Established
1862
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 Southampton

87.7%
87%

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%
82.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.2%
35.1%

International

International student share

873
545

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

2
52

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

Southampton

103 countries · 35.1% international

  • 🇨🇳China63.5%
  • 🇮🇳India4.8%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia2.8%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia2.6%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.5%

Subjects

61 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 Southampton

Also taught at both: English Studies, Archaeology, Economics, Mechanical Engineering, Ancient Languages, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Biomedical Sciences, Chemical Engineering, Psychology (General), Business Studies, Environmental Sciences, Human Geography & Environment, Accounting, Ecology & Conservation, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Marketing, Zoology & Animal Biology, Management, Physical Geography & Climate, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biochemistry, Health & Social Care, Software Engineering, Anthropology, Biology, Clinical Specialities, Education Studies, Nursing (General), Clinical & Health Psychology, Humanities, Information Systems & Data Science, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Statistics, Biological Sciences (General), Biomedical Engineering, Creative Writing, Human Resource Management, Medicine, Adult Nursing, Building & Construction, Cultural Studies, English Language, Liberal Arts, Social Sciences (General), Applied Psychology, Computing & IT.

Only at University of Exeter

Only at University of Southampton

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 Southampton
£26,000

University of Exeter is about £1,050 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Exeter
£25,550
University of Southampton
£31,200

University of Exeter is about £5,650 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 Southampton

  • Politics & International Relations

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    88%Satisfaction85%

  • General Engineering

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£34,500
    59%Satisfaction90%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £39,000Salary (3 years)£31,500
    84%Satisfaction80%

  • Mathematics

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    88%Satisfaction81%

  • Physics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    94%Satisfaction87%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £39,000Salary (3 years)£39,500
    84%Satisfaction84%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£40,500
    83%Satisfaction89%

  • History

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    92%Satisfaction91%

  • Law

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    86%Satisfaction87%

  • Computer Science

    £40,500Salary (3 years)£47,000
    83%Satisfaction80%

  • Civil Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    83%Satisfaction93%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    91%Satisfaction86%

Showing the 12 largest of 40 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 Southampton

Horizon Europe fee waiver

100%

Deadline: N/A

Cowrie Foundation Scholarship

£8,000

Deadline: N/A

Xiamen University PhD Scholarships

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sociology Criminology International Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Southampton Ageing & Gerontology Talent Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Exeter vs University of Southampton: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,950 a year at University of Exeter and £26,000 at University of Southampton: University of Exeter is about £1,050 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,550 a year at University of Exeter and £31,200 at University of Southampton: University of Exeter is about £5,650 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 Southampton?

Both universities teach 61 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, General Engineering, Business & Management (General), Mathematics, Physics, Finance & Actuarial Science, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, History, Law, Computer Science, Civil Engineering, Sociology & Criminology and 49 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £30,500 three years after graduating from University of Exeter, and £29,000 from University of Southampton. Student satisfaction with teaching is 88% at University of Exeter and 85% at University of Southampton. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Exeter lists 873 courses on CourseOptions and University of Southampton lists 545 courses.

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

University of Exeter teaches 30 subject areas that University of Southampton does not, including Classical Studies, History of Art & Design, Theology & Religious Studies, Anatomy & Pathology, Childhood & Youth Studies, Geography (General), Drama & Theatre, Film Production & Cinematography and 22 more.

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

University of Southampton teaches 30 subject areas that University of Exeter does not, including Aerospace Engineering, Design & Fashion, English Literature, Chemistry, Marine Engineering & Technology, Music, Social Policy & Public Policy, Healthcare Science and 22 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 Southampton545 courses · 52 scholarshipsBrowse Courses