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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 Kent

Canterbury · QS World #415

U
University of Plymouth

Plymouth · QS World #691

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

Kent

scored higher in 6 categories

VS

5/11

Plymouth

scored higher in 5 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Kent leads in 6 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, international, graduate salary, courses). University of Plymouth is ahead on TEF, established, satisfaction, employment, scholarship.

University of Kent vs University of Plymouth at a glance

University of Kent and University of Plymouth both teach 40 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Computer Science and Psychology (General). University of Kent offers 335 courses across 63 subject areas; University of Plymouth offers 310 courses across 78 subject areas.

For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,700 a year at University of Kent and £19,500 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £1,200 a year cheaper.

Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Kent is higher in 22 and University of Plymouth in 0. The widest gap is in Finance & Actuarial Science: £41,500 three years after graduating from University of Kent, against £24,000 from University of Plymouth. Of the 23 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Plymouth is higher in 14 and University of Kent in 8, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#415
QS World
#691
#401
THE World
#501
#47
Guardian UK
#56
1965
Established
1862
No
Russell Group
No
Silver
TEF Rating
Gold

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

University of Kent

University of Plymouth

84%
86.6%

Satisfaction

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

£33,600
£30,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

80%
84.2%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16%
11.9%

International

International student share

335
310

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
10

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.

Kent

85 countries · 16% international

  • 🇮🇳India9.9%
  • 🇨🇳China6.8%
  • 🇹🇭Thailand6.6%
  • 🇫🇷France5.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria5.3%
VS

Plymouth

71 countries · 11.9% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria14.6%
  • 🇨🇳China12.2%
  • 🇮🇳India11%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.7%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka3.3%

Subjects

40 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 Kent

University of Plymouth

Also taught at both: Applied Psychology, Chemistry, History, Architecture, Marketing, Accounting, Film Production & Cinematography, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Creative Writing, Mechanical Engineering, English Studies, Software Engineering, Social Sciences (General), Statistics, Clinical & Health Psychology, Environmental Sciences, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Biomedical Engineering, Drama & Theatre, Media & Film Studies, Social Work, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, General Engineering, Human Resource Management, Technology & Logistics.

Only at University of Kent

Only at University of Plymouth

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 Kent
£23,500
University of Plymouth
No data

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

Postgraduate

University of Kent
£20,700
University of Plymouth
£19,500

University of Plymouth is about £1,200 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 Kent

University of Plymouth

  • Politics & International Relations

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    87%Satisfaction86%

  • Computer Science

    £37,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    79%Satisfaction72%

  • Psychology (General)

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£21,500
    77%Satisfaction84%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £41,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    81%Satisfaction90%

  • Law

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£21,500
    86%Satisfaction84%

  • Economics

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    85%Satisfaction91%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    83%Satisfaction83%

  • Business & Management (General)

    No dataSalary (3 years)£24,000
    77%Satisfaction83%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    88%Satisfaction91%

  • Ecology & Conservation

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£20,500
    88%Satisfaction94%

  • Mathematics

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    87%Satisfaction86%

  • Business Studies

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    82%Satisfaction74%

Showing the 12 largest of 25 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Kent

View all scholarships →

University of Plymouth

GREAT Scholarships

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

International Undergraduate Welcome to Plymouth Scholarship

£6,000

Deadline: N/A

Tamar Engineering Project

£4,500

Deadline: Jun 2026

International Postgraduate Welcome to Plymouth Scholarship

£4,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Kent vs University of Plymouth: common questions

Is University of Kent or University of Plymouth cheaper for international students?

For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,700 a year at University of Kent and £19,500 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £1,200 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 Kent and University of Plymouth?

Both universities teach 40 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Computer Science, Psychology (General), Finance & Actuarial Science, Law, Economics, Sociology & Criminology, Business & Management (General), Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Ecology & Conservation, Mathematics, Business Studies and 28 more.

Is University of Kent or University of Plymouth better for Politics & International Relations?

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £25,500 three years after graduating from University of Kent, and £24,000 from University of Plymouth. Student satisfaction with teaching is 87% at University of Kent and 86% at University of Plymouth. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does University of Kent or University of Plymouth offer more courses?

University of Kent lists 335 courses on CourseOptions and University of Plymouth lists 310 courses.

What can you study at University of Kent but not at University of Plymouth?

University of Kent teaches 23 subject areas that University of Plymouth does not, including Physics, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Biochemistry, Forensic Science, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Pharmacy, English Literature, Microbiology & Cell Biology and 15 more.

What can you study at University of Plymouth but not at University of Kent?

University of Plymouth teaches 38 subject areas that University of Kent does not, including Geology & Earth Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, Civil Engineering, Adult Nursing, Nutrition & Dietetics, Physical Geography & Climate, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Dentistry and 30 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of Kent335 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of Plymouth310 courses · 10 scholarshipsBrowse Courses