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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

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University of St Andrews

St Andrews · QS World #115

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.

2/11

Exeter

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

9/11

St Andrews

scored higher in 9 categories

Quick Verdict

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

University of Exeter vs University of St Andrews at a glance

University of Exeter and University of St Andrews both teach 50 subject areas, the largest being African & Middle Eastern Studies, French and History. University of Exeter offers 873 courses across 91 subject areas; University of St Andrews offers 1,157 courses across 64 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,950 a year at University of Exeter and £30,160 at University of St Andrews: University of Exeter is about £5,210 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,550 a year at University of Exeter and £27,200 at University of St Andrews: University of Exeter is about £1,650 a year cheaper.

Of the 28 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of St Andrews is higher in 19 and University of Exeter in 8, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Medicine: £48,000 three years after graduating from University of Exeter, against £35,000 from University of St Andrews. Of the 26 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of St Andrews is higher in 19 and University of Exeter in 5, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#136
QS World
#115
#170
THE World
#162
#14
Guardian UK
#3
1922
Established
1413
Yes
Russell Group
No
Gold
TEF Rating
—

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 St Andrews

87.7%
93.2%

Satisfaction

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

£39,800
£40,000

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.8%
74.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.2%
46.1%

International

International student share

873
1157

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

2
62

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

St Andrews

89 countries · 46.1% international

  • 🇺🇸United States42.3%
  • 🇨🇳China9%
  • 🇩🇪Germany4%
  • 🇮🇳India4%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong3.2%

Subjects

50 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 St Andrews

Also taught at both: Computer Science, Philosophy, Business & Management (General), Geography (General), Finance & Actuarial Science, Eastern European Languages, Law, Psychology (General), Biology, Sociology & Criminology, Biomedical Sciences, Geology & Earth Sciences, Management, Human Geography & Environment, Ecology & Conservation, Physical Geography & Climate, Anthropology, Zoology & Animal Biology, Business Studies, Biochemistry, Childhood & Youth Studies, Medicine, Statistics, Environmental Sciences, Creative Writing, Education Studies, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Humanities, Marketing, Applied Biology & Human Biology, Liberal Arts, Materials Science, Animal Science, Computing & IT, Software Engineering.

Only at University of Exeter

Only at University of St Andrews

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 St Andrews
£30,160

University of Exeter is about £5,210 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Exeter
£25,550
University of St Andrews
£27,200

University of Exeter is about £1,650 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 St Andrews

  • African & Middle Eastern Studies

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    100%Satisfaction96%

  • History

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    92%Satisfaction97%

  • Classical Studies

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    92%Satisfaction97%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    88%Satisfaction95%

  • Ancient Languages

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    91%Satisfaction100%

  • Mathematics

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£36,500
    88%Satisfaction94%

  • Economics

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£39,000
    88%Satisfaction93%

  • History of Art & Design

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    87%Satisfaction94%

  • English Studies

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    92%Satisfaction92%

  • Theology & Religious Studies

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    100%Satisfaction97%

  • Media & Film Studies

    No dataSalary (3 years)No data
    85%Satisfaction95%

  • Physics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    94%Satisfaction98%

Showing the 12 largest of 29 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 St Andrews

Applied Environmental Sciences MSc Awards - Women in Mining (WIM) UK

100%

Deadline: Jun 2026

Environmental Science MSc Awards - The Cunningham Scholarship UK

100%

Deadline: Jun 2026

Masters funding in Digital Health and Care

£10,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

School of Modern Languages Masters Scholarship

100%

Deadline: May 2026

University of Jordan Postgraduate Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Exeter vs University of St Andrews: common questions

Is University of Exeter or University of St Andrews cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,950 a year at University of Exeter and £30,160 at University of St Andrews: University of Exeter is about £5,210 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,550 a year at University of Exeter and £27,200 at University of St Andrews: University of Exeter is about £1,650 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 St Andrews?

Both universities teach 50 subject areas: African & Middle Eastern Studies, French, History, Classical Studies, Politics & International Relations, German & Scandinavian Studies, Ancient Languages, Italian, Mathematics, Economics, History of Art & Design, English Studies and 38 more.

Is University of Exeter or University of St Andrews better for African & Middle Eastern Studies?

African & Middle Eastern Studies graduates earn a median £28,500 three years after graduating from University of Exeter, and £30,000 from University of St Andrews. Student satisfaction with teaching is 100% at University of Exeter and 96% at University of St Andrews. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does University of Exeter or University of St Andrews offer more courses?

University of St Andrews lists 1,157 courses on CourseOptions and University of Exeter lists 873 courses.

What can you study at University of Exeter but not at University of St Andrews?

University of Exeter teaches 41 subject areas that University of St Andrews does not, including Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, General Engineering, Civil Engineering, Archaeology, Anatomy & Pathology, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Accounting, Chemical Engineering and 33 more.

What can you study at University of St Andrews but not at University of Exeter?

University of St Andrews teaches 14 subject areas that University of Exeter does not, including Chemistry, Spanish & Portuguese, Teacher Training, Asian Languages & Studies, Combined & General Studies, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Information & Library Studies, Agriculture & Land Management and 6 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 St Andrews1,157 courses · 62 scholarshipsBrowse Courses