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.
Devon · QS World #136
Sunderland · Guardian UK #86
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
3/11
Sunderland
scored higher in 3 categories
Quick Verdict
University of Exeter leads in 8 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, TEF, employment, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Sunderland is ahead on established, satisfaction, international.
University of Exeter vs University of Sunderland at a glance
University of Exeter and University of Sunderland both teach 37 subject areas, the largest being Mathematics, Law and Business & Management (General). University of Exeter offers 873 courses across 91 subject areas; University of Sunderland offers 193 courses across 56 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,950 a year at University of Exeter and £17,500 at University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland is about £7,450 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,550 a year at University of Exeter and £17,000 at University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland is about £8,550 a year cheaper.
Of the 18 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Exeter is higher in 18 and University of Sunderland in 0. The widest gap is in Accounting: £43,500 three years after graduating from University of Exeter, against £20,000 from University of Sunderland. Of the 19 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Sunderland is higher in 11 and University of Exeter in 8.
World & National Rankings
Compare world and national league table positions, TEF ratings, and Russell Group membership.
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 Sunderland
Satisfaction
Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)
Graduate Salaries (5y)
Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation
Employment
Graduate employment rate
International
International student share
Course Counts
Number of courses offered
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%
Sunderland
56 countries · 36.5% international
- 🌐Nepal29.5%
- 🇮🇳India17.7%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria16.6%
- 🇨🇳China7.3%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan6.9%
Subjects
37 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 Sunderland
Mathematics
41 coursesTypical fee £30,100 (UG)
1 courseTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
Law
28 coursesTypical fee £24,950 (UG)
12 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
Business & Management (General)
30 coursesTypical fee £24,900 (UG)
4 coursesTypical fee £16,500 (UG)
Finance & Actuarial Science
25 coursesTypical fee £24,900 (UG)
4 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
English Studies
25 coursesTypical fee £24,950 (UG)
3 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
Computer Science
20 coursesTypical fee £31,200 (UG)
7 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
Health Sciences & Paramedic Science
22 coursesTypical fee £28,600 (PG)
2 coursesTypical fee £17,000 (PG)
General Engineering
21 coursesTypical fee £31,200 (UG)
1 courseTypical fee £17,000 (PG)
Media & Film Studies
15 coursesTypical fee £24,950 (UG)
7 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
Sociology & Criminology
20 coursesTypical fee £24,950 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
Biomedical Sciences
19 coursesTypical fee £31,200 (UG)
1 courseTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
Psychology (General)
15 coursesTypical fee £31,200 (UG)
5 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
Economics
17 coursesTypical fee £24,900 (UG)
1 courseFee not available
Geology & Earth Sciences
14 coursesTypical fee £31,200 (UG)
4 coursesTypical fee £17,000 (PG)
Business Studies
10 coursesTypical fee £24,900 (UG)
7 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
Also taught at both: Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Film Production & Cinematography, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Accounting, Biochemistry, Childhood & Youth Studies, Marketing, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Management, Health & Social Care, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Nursing (General), Performing Arts (General), Human Resource Management, Applied Psychology, Software Engineering, Clinical & Health Psychology, Education Studies, Social Sciences (General), Medicine, Adult Nursing.
Only at University of Exeter
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 Sunderland
- £17,500
University of Sunderland is about £7,450 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- University of Exeter
- £25,550
- University of Sunderland
- £17,000
University of Sunderland is about £8,550 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 Sunderland
Law
£32,000Salary (3 years)£19,00086%Satisfaction95%Business & Management (General)
£39,000Salary (3 years)£20,00084%Satisfaction92%Finance & Actuarial Science
£39,000Salary (3 years)£20,00084%Satisfaction85%English Studies
£25,500Salary (3 years)£19,50092%Satisfaction97%Computer Science
£40,500Salary (3 years)£25,50083%Satisfaction78%Media & Film Studies
No dataSalary (3 years)£18,00085%Satisfaction93%Sociology & Criminology
£27,000Salary (3 years)£18,50091%Satisfaction87%Biomedical Sciences
£33,500Salary (3 years)£26,00088%Satisfaction93%Psychology (General)
£27,000Salary (3 years)£19,00093%Satisfaction88%Economics
£40,000Salary (3 years)£18,50088%Satisfaction89%Business Studies
£39,000Salary (3 years)£20,00083%Satisfaction91%Electronic & Electrical Engineering
£32,500Salary (3 years)£26,50083%Satisfaction76%
Showing the 12 largest of 20 shared subjects with published outcomes.
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveUniversity 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
University of Sunderland
View all scholarships →FAQ
University of Exeter vs University of Sunderland: common questions
Is University of Exeter or University of Sunderland cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,950 a year at University of Exeter and £17,500 at University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland is about £7,450 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,550 a year at University of Exeter and £17,000 at University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland is about £8,550 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 Sunderland?
Both universities teach 37 subject areas: Mathematics, Law, Business & Management (General), Finance & Actuarial Science, English Studies, Computer Science, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, General Engineering, Media & Film Studies, Sociology & Criminology, Biomedical Sciences, Psychology (General) and 25 more.
Is University of Exeter or University of Sunderland better for Law?
Law graduates earn a median £32,000 three years after graduating from University of Exeter, and £19,000 from University of Sunderland. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at University of Exeter and 95% at University of Sunderland. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does University of Exeter or University of Sunderland offer more courses?
University of Exeter lists 873 courses on CourseOptions and University of Sunderland lists 193 courses.
What can you study at University of Exeter but not at University of Sunderland?
University of Exeter teaches 54 subject areas that University of Sunderland does not, including Politics & International Relations, Physics, History, Classical Studies, Philosophy, History of Art & Design, Civil Engineering, Human Geography & Environment and 46 more.
What can you study at University of Sunderland but not at University of Exeter?
University of Sunderland teaches 19 subject areas that University of Exeter does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Design & Fashion, Journalism, Chemistry, Fine Art, Social Work, Teacher Training, Agriculture & Land Management and 11 more.
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