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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 Glasgow

Glasgow · QS World #80

U
University of the West of Scotland

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.

9/10

Glasgow

scored higher in 9 categories

VS

1/10

West of Scotland

scored higher in 1 category

Quick Verdict

University of Glasgow leads in 9 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, employment, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of the West of Scotland is ahead on satisfaction.

University of Glasgow vs University of the West of Scotland at a glance

University of Glasgow and University of the West of Scotland both teach 36 subject areas, the largest being Mathematics, Law and Psychology (General). University of Glasgow offers 1,022 courses across 97 subject areas; University of the West of Scotland offers 119 courses across 49 subject areas.

For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £15,160 a year at University of Glasgow and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of Glasgow is about £1,120 a year cheaper.

Of the 15 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Glasgow is higher in 13 and University of the West of Scotland in 0, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Business Studies: £31,000 three years after graduating from University of Glasgow, against £21,000 from University of the West of Scotland. Of the 12 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of the West of Scotland is higher in 9 and University of Glasgow in 2, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#80
QS World
—
#84
THE World
#601
#12
Guardian UK
#115
1451
Established
1897
Yes
Russell Group
No
—
TEF Rating
—

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.

University of Glasgow

University of the West of Scotland

86.1%
89%

Satisfaction

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

£36,500
£31,134.9

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.9%
81.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

35.9%
30.3%

International

International student share

1022
119

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

4
0

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.

Glasgow

121 countries · 35.9% international

  • 🇨🇳China51.9%
  • 🇺🇸United States7.4%
  • 🇮🇳India7%
  • 🌐Kuwait1.7%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong1.5%
VS

West of Scotland

33 countries · 30.3% international

  • 🇵🇰Pakistan36.2%
  • 🌐Nepal20.4%
  • 🇮🇳India19.3%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria7.4%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh5.3%

Subjects

36 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 Glasgow

University of the West of Scotland

Also taught at both: Accounting, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Health & Social Care, Media & Film Studies, Aerospace Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Childhood & Youth Studies, Computing & IT, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Business & Management (General), Design & Fashion, Environmental Sciences, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Nursing (General), Social Sciences (General), Forensic Science, Marketing, Zoology & Animal Biology, Creative Arts (General), Mental Health Nursing.

Only at University of Glasgow

Only at University of the West of Scotland

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 Glasgow
No data
University of the West of Scotland
£15,500

We do not have reliable international fee data for University of Glasgow yet.

Postgraduate

University of Glasgow
£15,160
University of the West of Scotland
£16,280

University of Glasgow is about £1,120 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 Glasgow

University of the West of Scotland

  • Law

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    86%SatisfactionNo data

  • Teacher Training

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    92%Satisfaction94%

  • Physics

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    83%Satisfaction95%

  • English Language

    £23,500Salary (3 years)No data
    94%Satisfaction83%

  • Music

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£18,500
    95%Satisfaction90%

  • Chemistry

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    85%Satisfaction95%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    91%SatisfactionNo data

  • Business Studies

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    65%Satisfaction75%

  • Accounting

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    85%Satisfaction86%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    80%Satisfaction80%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    66%Satisfaction89%

  • Aerospace Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    80%Satisfaction100%

Showing the 12 largest of 16 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Glasgow

Minerva Scholarships

£22,000

Deadline: N/A

Excellence Bursaries

100%

Deadline: N/A

Travel Bursaries

£50

Deadline: N/A

School of Computing Science postgraduate research excellence bursaries

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

University of the West of Scotland

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Glasgow vs University of the West of Scotland: common questions

Is University of Glasgow or University of the West of Scotland cheaper for international students?

For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £15,160 a year at University of Glasgow and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of Glasgow is about £1,120 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 Glasgow and University of the West of Scotland?

Both universities teach 36 subject areas: Mathematics, Law, Psychology (General), Teacher Training, Politics & International Relations, Physics, English Language, Music, Chemistry, Sociology & Criminology, Education Studies, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science and 24 more.

Is University of Glasgow or University of the West of Scotland better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £27,500 three years after graduating from University of Glasgow, and £21,000 from University of the West of Scotland. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does University of Glasgow or University of the West of Scotland offer more courses?

University of Glasgow lists 1,022 courses on CourseOptions and University of the West of Scotland lists 119 courses.

What can you study at University of Glasgow but not at University of the West of Scotland?

University of Glasgow teaches 61 subject areas that University of the West of Scotland does not, including History, Management, Spanish & Portuguese, Classical Studies, Eastern European Languages, Information Systems & Data Science, Economics, English Literature and 53 more.

What can you study at University of the West of Scotland but not at University of Glasgow?

University of the West of Scotland teaches 13 subject areas that University of Glasgow does not, including Applied Computing, Business Information Systems, General Engineering, Applied Psychology, Social Work, Community & Specialist Nursing, Journalism, Adult Nursing and 5 more.

Ready to explore courses?

Browse available courses, check entry requirements, and find scholarships at each university.

U
University of Glasgow1,022 courses · 4 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of the West of Scotland119 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses