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
Paisley · Guardian UK #115
Head-to-Head Summary
Based on 10 datapoints
We looked at 10 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.
7/10
Exeter
scored higher in 7 categories
3/10
West of Scotland
scored higher in 3 categories
Quick Verdict
University of Exeter leads in 7 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, employment, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of the West of Scotland is ahead on established, satisfaction, international.
University of Exeter vs University of the West of Scotland at a glance
University of Exeter and University of the West of Scotland both teach 33 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Mathematics and Physics. University of Exeter offers 873 courses across 91 subject areas; University of the West of Scotland offers 119 courses across 49 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,950 a year at University of Exeter and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £9,450 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,550 a year at University of Exeter and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £9,270 a year cheaper.
Of the 12 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Exeter is higher in 12 and University of the West of Scotland in 0. The widest gap is in Accounting: £43,500 three years after graduating from University of Exeter, against £21,000 from University of the West of Scotland. Of the 9 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Exeter is higher in 4 and University of the West of Scotland in 4, with 1 about level.
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 the West of Scotland
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%
West of Scotland
33 countries · 30.3% international
- 🇵🇰Pakistan36.2%
- 🌐Nepal20.4%
- 🇮🇳India19.3%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria7.4%
- 🇧🇩Bangladesh5.3%
Subjects
33 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 the West of Scotland
Politics & International Relations
50 coursesTypical fee £24,950 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £13,630 (PG)
Mathematics
41 coursesTypical fee £30,100 (UG)
1 courseTypical fee £18,000 (UG)
Physics
34 coursesTypical fee £31,200 (UG)
3 coursesTypical fee £18,000 (UG)
Business & Management (General)
30 coursesTypical fee £24,900 (UG)
2 coursesFee not available
Law
28 coursesTypical fee £24,950 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £14,500 (UG)
General Engineering
21 coursesTypical fee £31,200 (UG)
5 coursesTypical fee £18,000 (UG)
Health Sciences & Paramedic Science
22 coursesTypical fee £28,600 (PG)
2 coursesFee not available
Sociology & Criminology
20 coursesTypical fee £24,950 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £15,500 (UG)
Biomedical Sciences
19 coursesTypical fee £31,200 (UG)
1 courseTypical fee £18,900 (PG)
Business Studies
10 coursesTypical fee £24,900 (UG)
9 coursesTypical fee £15,500 (UG)
Media & Film Studies
15 coursesTypical fee £24,950 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £18,140 (PG)
Human Geography & Environment
15 coursesTypical fee £31,200 (UG)
1 courseTypical fee £18,900 (PG)
Psychology (General)
15 coursesTypical fee £31,200 (UG)
1 courseTypical fee £11,750 (PG)
Zoology & Animal Biology
11 coursesTypical fee £31,200 (UG)
2 coursesFee not available
Accounting
Also taught at both: Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Childhood & Youth Studies, Environmental Sciences, Mechanical Engineering, Public Health & Epidemiology, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Applied Psychology, Computing & IT, Health & Social Care, Marketing, Social Sciences (General), Biology, Nursing (General), Cultural Studies, Forensic Science, English Language, Adult Nursing, Education Studies.
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 the West of Scotland
- £15,500
University of the West of Scotland is about £9,450 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- University of Exeter
- £25,550
- University of the West of Scotland
- £16,280
University of the West of Scotland is about £9,270 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 the West of Scotland
Physics
£31,000Salary (3 years)£23,00094%Satisfaction95%Law
£32,000Salary (3 years)£21,00086%SatisfactionNo dataGeneral Engineering
£32,500Salary (3 years)£26,50059%Satisfaction92%Sociology & Criminology
£27,000Salary (3 years)£23,00091%SatisfactionNo dataBusiness Studies
£39,000Salary (3 years)£21,00083%Satisfaction75%Zoology & Animal Biology
£20,000Salary (3 years)£19,00085%SatisfactionNo dataAccounting
£43,500Salary (3 years)£21,00086%Satisfaction86%Electronic & Electrical Engineering
£32,500Salary (3 years)£26,50083%Satisfaction80%Mechanical Engineering
£34,000Salary (3 years)£25,50071%Satisfaction89%Sport & Exercise Sciences
£24,000Salary (3 years)£21,00089%Satisfaction91%Forensic Science
£31,000Salary (3 years)£23,000No dataSatisfaction95%English Language
£25,500Salary (3 years)No data90%Satisfaction83%
Showing the 12 largest of 13 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 the West of Scotland
View all scholarships →FAQ
University of Exeter vs University of the West of Scotland: common questions
Is University of Exeter or University of the West of Scotland cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,950 a year at University of Exeter and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £9,450 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,550 a year at University of Exeter and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £9,270 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 the West of Scotland?
Both universities teach 33 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Mathematics, Physics, Business & Management (General), Law, General Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Sociology & Criminology, Biomedical Sciences, Business Studies, Media & Film Studies, Human Geography & Environment and 21 more.
Is University of Exeter or University of the West of Scotland better for Physics?
Physics graduates earn a median £31,000 three years after graduating from University of Exeter, and £23,000 from University of the West of Scotland. Student satisfaction with teaching is 94% at University of Exeter and 95% at University of the West of Scotland. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does University of Exeter or University of the West of Scotland offer more courses?
University of Exeter lists 873 courses on CourseOptions and University of the West of Scotland lists 119 courses.
What can you study at University of Exeter but not at University of the West of Scotland?
University of Exeter teaches 58 subject areas that University of the West of Scotland does not, including History, Classical Studies, English Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Philosophy, Computer Science, History of Art & Design, Civil Engineering and 50 more.
What can you study at University of the West of Scotland but not at University of Exeter?
University of the West of Scotland teaches 16 subject areas that University of Exeter does not, including Teacher Training, Applied Computing, Business Information Systems, Chemistry, Social Work, Aerospace Engineering, Community & Specialist Nursing, Design & Fashion and 8 more.
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