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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 Southampton

Southampton · QS World #111

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.

0/11

Kent

scored higher in 0 categories

VS

11/11

Southampton

scored higher in 11 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Southampton leads in 11 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Kent does not lead in any category where both have data.

University of Kent vs University of Southampton at a glance

University of Kent and University of Southampton both teach 47 subject areas, the largest being Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science and General Engineering. University of Kent offers 335 courses across 63 subject areas; University of Southampton offers 545 courses across 91 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,500 a year at University of Kent and £26,000 at University of Southampton: University of Kent is about £2,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,700 a year at University of Kent and £31,200 at University of Southampton: University of Kent is about £10,500 a year cheaper.

Of the 25 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Southampton is higher in 18 and University of Kent in 6, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Software Engineering: £36,500 three years after graduating from University of Kent, against £47,000 from University of Southampton. Of the 28 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Southampton is higher in 18 and University of Kent in 9, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#415
QS World
#111
#401
THE World
#129
#47
Guardian UK
#16
1965
Established
1862
No
Russell Group
Yes
Silver
TEF Rating
Silver

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 Southampton

84%
87%

Satisfaction

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

£33,600
£37,200

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

80%
82.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16%
35.1%

International

International student share

335
545

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
52

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

Southampton

103 countries · 35.1% international

  • 🇨🇳China63.5%
  • 🇮🇳India4.8%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia2.8%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia2.6%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.5%

Subjects

47 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 Southampton

Also taught at both: Chemistry, English Literature, Marketing, Psychology (General), Accounting, Ancient Languages, Biology, Archaeology, Design & Fashion, Environmental Sciences, Management, Applied Psychology, Software Engineering, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Architecture, Biochemistry, Ecology & Conservation, Social Policy & Public Policy, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biomedical Engineering, Clinical & Health Psychology, Creative Writing, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Social Sciences (General), Statistics, Health & Social Care, English Studies, Business Information Systems, Personal & Professional Development, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Human Resource Management, Technology & Logistics.

Only at University of Kent

Only at University of Southampton

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 Southampton
£26,000

University of Kent is about £2,500 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Kent
£20,700
University of Southampton
£31,200

University of Kent is about £10,500 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 Southampton

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£40,500
    88%Satisfaction89%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £41,500Salary (3 years)£39,500
    81%Satisfaction84%

  • Computer Science

    £37,000Salary (3 years)£47,000
    79%Satisfaction80%

  • Business & Management (General)

    No dataSalary (3 years)£31,500
    77%Satisfaction80%

  • Physics

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    82%Satisfaction87%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    87%Satisfaction85%

  • Economics

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£34,000
    85%Satisfaction85%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    83%Satisfaction86%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£34,500
    77%Satisfaction87%

  • Law

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    86%Satisfaction87%

  • History

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    93%Satisfaction91%

  • Mathematics

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    87%Satisfaction81%

Showing the 12 largest of 28 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Kent

View all scholarships →

University of Southampton

Horizon Europe fee waiver

100%

Deadline: N/A

Cowrie Foundation Scholarship

£8,000

Deadline: N/A

Xiamen University PhD Scholarships

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sociology Criminology International Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Southampton Ageing & Gerontology Talent Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Kent vs University of Southampton: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,500 a year at University of Kent and £26,000 at University of Southampton: University of Kent is about £2,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,700 a year at University of Kent and £31,200 at University of Southampton: University of Kent is about £10,500 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 Southampton?

Both universities teach 47 subject areas: Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, General Engineering, Computer Science, Business & Management (General), Physics, Politics & International Relations, Economics, Sociology & Criminology, Mechanical Engineering, Law, History and 35 more.

Is University of Kent or University of Southampton better for Electronic & Electrical Engineering?

Electronic & Electrical Engineering graduates earn a median £35,000 three years after graduating from University of Kent, and £40,500 from University of Southampton. Student satisfaction with teaching is 88% at University of Kent and 89% at University of Southampton. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Southampton lists 545 courses on CourseOptions and University of Kent lists 335 courses.

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

University of Kent teaches 16 subject areas that University of Southampton does not, including Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Forensic Science, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Film Production & Cinematography, Pharmacy, Drama & Theatre, Genetics & Genomics, German & Scandinavian Studies and 8 more.

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

University of Southampton teaches 44 subject areas that University of Kent does not, including Aerospace Engineering, Geology & Earth Sciences, Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Marine Engineering & Technology, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Music, Philosophy and 36 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 Southampton545 courses · 52 scholarshipsBrowse Courses