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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 Leeds

Leeds · QS World #77

U
University of South Wales

Pontypridd · QS World #1201

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.

8/11

Leeds

scored higher in 8 categories

VS

3/11

South Wales

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Leeds leads in 8 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, international, graduate salary, courses). University of South Wales is ahead on satisfaction, employment, scholarship.

University of Leeds vs University of South Wales at a glance

University of Leeds and University of South Wales both teach 47 subject areas, the largest being Civil Engineering, Law and Design & Fashion. University of Leeds offers 579 courses across 110 subject areas; University of South Wales offers 331 courses across 63 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £33,700 a year at University of Leeds and £16,200 at University of South Wales: University of South Wales is about £17,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,500 a year at University of Leeds and £17,900 at University of South Wales: University of South Wales is about £13,600 a year cheaper.

Of the 30 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Leeds is higher in 27 and University of South Wales in 3. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £42,000 three years after graduating from University of Leeds, against £19,500 from University of South Wales. Of the 31 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of South Wales is higher in 19 and University of Leeds in 11, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#77
QS World
#1201
#118
THE World
#1201
#15
Guardian UK
#83
1904
Established
1913
Yes
Russell Group
No
Silver
TEF Rating
—

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

University of Leeds

University of South Wales

85.7%
86.7%

Satisfaction

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

£37,200
£27,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.7%
84.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.5%
22%

International

International student share

579
331

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

13
23

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.

Leeds

105 countries · 31.5% international

  • 🇨🇳China49.5%
  • 🇮🇳India9.6%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.9%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.4%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.8%
VS

South Wales

71 countries · 22% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria17.6%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh16.6%
  • 🇮🇳India16.1%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan15.7%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka6.6%

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 Leeds

University of South Wales

Also taught at both: Sport & Exercise Sciences, Education Studies, Counselling & Psychotherapy, History, Teacher Training, Film Production & Cinematography, Management, Marketing, Drama & Theatre, Mechanical Engineering, Childhood & Youth Studies, Human Geography & Environment, Software Engineering, Biology, English Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Health & Social Care, Information Systems & Data Science, Social Policy & Public Policy, Human Resource Management, Biomedical Sciences, Social Sciences (General), Fine Art, Medical Sciences, Public Health & Epidemiology, Statistics, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, General Engineering, Journalism, Midwifery, Social Work, Specialist Clinical Nursing.

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 Leeds
£33,700
University of South Wales
£16,200

University of South Wales is about £17,500 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Leeds
£31,500
University of South Wales
£17,900

University of South Wales is about £13,600 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 Leeds

University of South Wales

  • Civil Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    89%Satisfaction83%
  • Law

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    87%Satisfaction96%
  • Design & Fashion

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    87%Satisfaction88%
  • Psychology (General)

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£19,500
    91%Satisfaction90%
  • Business Studies

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
    84%Satisfaction91%
  • Chemistry

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    85%Satisfaction84%
  • Computer Science

    £42,000Salary (3 years)£19,500
    79%Satisfaction90%
  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    92%Satisfaction94%
  • Music

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£18,500
    87%Satisfaction71%
  • Aerospace Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    82%Satisfaction89%
  • Media & Film Studies

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
    90%Satisfaction82%
  • Sociology & Criminology

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    82%Satisfaction83%

Showing the 12 largest of 31 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Leeds

Gazan Humanitarian Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Gazan Humanitarian Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Global Community Bursary

£10,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

Sanctuary Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

University of South Wales

USW Postgraduate Refugee Sanctuary Scheme

100%

Deadline: N/A

USW Postgraduate Sanctuary Scholarship 2026/2027

100%

Deadline: Jul 2026

USW Postgraduate Sanctuary Scholarship 2027/2028

100%

Deadline: Jul 2027

USW Refugee Sanctuary Scheme

100%

Deadline: N/A

Undergraduate Sanctuary Scholarship 2026/2027

100%

Deadline: Jul 2026

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Leeds vs University of South Wales: common questions

Is University of Leeds or University of South Wales cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £33,700 a year at University of Leeds and £16,200 at University of South Wales: University of South Wales is about £17,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,500 a year at University of Leeds and £17,900 at University of South Wales: University of South Wales is about £13,600 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 Leeds and University of South Wales?

Both universities teach 47 subject areas: Civil Engineering, Law, Design & Fashion, Healthcare Science, Psychology (General), Business & Management (General), Business Studies, Chemistry, Computer Science, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Music, Aerospace Engineering and 35 more.

Is University of Leeds or University of South Wales better for Civil Engineering?

Civil Engineering graduates earn a median £31,000 three years after graduating from University of Leeds, and £28,500 from University of South Wales. Student satisfaction with teaching is 89% at University of Leeds and 83% at University of South Wales. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does University of Leeds or University of South Wales offer more courses?

University of Leeds lists 579 courses on CourseOptions and University of South Wales lists 331 courses.

What can you study at University of Leeds but not at University of South Wales?

University of Leeds teaches 63 subject areas that University of South Wales does not, including Physics, Economics, Mathematics, Philosophy, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Personal & Professional Development, Ancient Languages, Asian Languages & Studies and 55 more.

What can you study at University of South Wales but not at University of Leeds?

University of South Wales teaches 16 subject areas that University of Leeds does not, including Nursing (General), Building & Construction, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Forensic Science, Community & Specialist Nursing, Accounting, Games Design & Computer Animation, Applied Computing and 8 more.

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