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.
Canterbury · QS World #415
Paisley · Guardian UK #115
Head-to-Head Summary
Based on 8 datapoints
We looked at 8 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.
4/8
Kent
scored higher in 4 categories
4/8
West of Scotland
scored higher in 4 categories
Quick Verdict
University of Kent and University of the West of Scotland are evenly matched: each leads in 4 of 8 categories where both have data. University of Kent is ahead on ranking, graduate salary, courses; University of the West of Scotland on established, satisfaction, employment, international.
University of Kent vs University of the West of Scotland at a glance
University of Kent and University of the West of Scotland both teach 27 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Business Studies and Physics. University of Kent offers 335 courses across 63 subject areas; University of the West of Scotland offers 119 courses across 49 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,500 a year at University of Kent and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £8,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,700 a year at University of Kent and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £4,420 a year cheaper.
Of the 14 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Kent is higher in 14 and University of the West of Scotland in 0. The widest gap is in Business Information Systems: £36,500 three years after graduating from University of Kent, against £22,000 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 Kent in 3.
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 Kent
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.
Kent
85 countries · 16% international
- 🇮🇳India9.9%
- 🇨🇳China6.8%
- 🇹🇭Thailand6.6%
- 🇫🇷France5.7%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria5.3%
West of Scotland
33 countries · 30.3% international
- 🇵🇰Pakistan36.2%
- 🌐Nepal20.4%
- 🇮🇳India19.3%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria7.4%
- 🇧🇩Bangladesh5.3%
Subjects
27 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 the West of Scotland
Politics & International Relations
20 coursesTypical fee £19,300 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £13,630 (PG)
Business Studies
Physics
12 coursesTypical fee £23,500 (UG)
3 coursesTypical fee £18,000 (UG)
Applied Psychology
10 coursesTypical fee £23,500 (PG)
4 coursesTypical fee £18,000 (UG)
Sociology & Criminology
12 coursesTypical fee £19,300 (PG)
2 coursesTypical fee £15,500 (UG)
Law
11 coursesTypical fee £20,700 (PG)
2 coursesTypical fee £14,500 (UG)
Biology
11 coursesTypical fee £23,500 (UG)
1 courseTypical fee £15,500 (UG)
Chemistry
Mathematics
10 coursesTypical fee £19,300 (UG)
1 courseTypical fee £18,000 (UG)
Psychology (General)
10 coursesTypical fee £23,500 (UG)
1 courseTypical fee £11,750 (PG)
Sport & Exercise Sciences
Accounting
Electronic & Electrical Engineering
Business Information Systems
Marketing
Also taught at both: Social Sciences (General), Business & Management (General), Forensic Science, General Engineering, Media & Film Studies, Social Work, Design & Fashion, Mechanical Engineering, Health & Social Care, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Environmental Sciences, Technology & Logistics.
Only at University of Kent
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 the West of Scotland
- £15,500
University of the West of Scotland is about £8,000 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- University of Kent
- £20,700
- University of the West of Scotland
- £16,280
University of the West of Scotland is about £4,420 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 the West of Scotland
Business Studies
£28,500Salary (3 years)£21,00082%Satisfaction75%Physics
£28,000Salary (3 years)£23,00082%Satisfaction95%Sociology & Criminology
£24,000Salary (3 years)£23,00083%SatisfactionNo dataLaw
£26,000Salary (3 years)£21,00086%SatisfactionNo dataBiology
£25,000Salary (3 years)£20,50092%Satisfaction99%Chemistry
£25,000Salary (3 years)£23,00087%Satisfaction95%Sport & Exercise Sciences
£24,500Salary (3 years)£21,00088%Satisfaction91%Accounting
£32,500Salary (3 years)£21,00082%Satisfaction86%Electronic & Electrical Engineering
£35,000Salary (3 years)£26,50088%Satisfaction80%Business Information Systems
£36,500Salary (3 years)£22,00074%Satisfaction85%Forensic Science
£23,500Salary (3 years)£23,00093%Satisfaction95%Social Work
£32,000Salary (3 years)£30,50089%Satisfaction88%
Showing the 12 largest of 14 shared subjects with published outcomes.
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveUniversity of Kent
View all scholarships →University of the West of Scotland
View all scholarships →FAQ
University of Kent vs University of the West of Scotland: common questions
Is University of Kent or University of the West of Scotland cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,500 a year at University of Kent and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £8,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,700 a year at University of Kent and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £4,420 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 the West of Scotland?
Both universities teach 27 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Business Studies, Physics, Applied Psychology, Sociology & Criminology, Law, Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Psychology (General), Sport & Exercise Sciences, Accounting and 15 more.
Is University of Kent or University of the West of Scotland better for Business Studies?
Business Studies graduates earn a median £28,500 three years after graduating from University of Kent, and £21,000 from University of the West of Scotland. Student satisfaction with teaching is 82% at University of Kent and 75% 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 Kent or University of the West of Scotland offer more courses?
University of Kent lists 335 courses on CourseOptions and University of the West of Scotland lists 119 courses.
What can you study at University of Kent but not at University of the West of Scotland?
University of Kent teaches 36 subject areas that University of the West of Scotland does not, including Computer Science, Finance & Actuarial Science, Economics, Architecture, Ecology & Conservation, History, Management, Biochemistry and 28 more.
What can you study at University of the West of Scotland but not at University of Kent?
University of the West of Scotland teaches 22 subject areas that University of Kent does not, including Teacher Training, Applied Computing, Computing & IT, Childhood & Youth Studies, Aerospace Engineering, Community & Specialist Nursing, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Journalism and 14 more.
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