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.
Leeds · QS World #77
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
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.
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
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.
Leeds
105 countries · 31.5% international
- 🇨🇳China49.5%
- 🇮🇳India9.6%
- 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.9%
- 🇲🇾Malaysia3.4%
- 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.8%
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
Civil Engineering
31 coursesTypical fee £33,700 (UG)
6 coursesTypical fee £15,850 (UG)
Law
14 coursesTypical fee £27,600 (UG)
15 coursesTypical fee £16,200 (UG)
Design & Fashion
14 coursesTypical fee £29,600 (UG)
11 coursesTypical fee £16,200 (UG)
Healthcare Science
1 courseTypical fee £33,800 (UG)
23 coursesFee not available
Psychology (General)
3 coursesTypical fee £33,800 (UG)
20 coursesTypical fee £16,200 (UG)
Business & Management (General)
4 coursesTypical fee £32,880 (PG)
18 coursesTypical fee £16,800 (UG)
Business Studies
17 coursesTypical fee £29,000 (UG)
4 coursesTypical fee £16,700 (UG)
Chemistry
18 coursesTypical fee £33,700 (UG)
3 coursesTypical fee £16,700 (UG)
Computer Science
16 coursesTypical fee £33,700 (UG)
4 coursesTypical fee £16,200 (UG)
Electronic & Electrical Engineering
13 coursesTypical fee £33,700 (UG)
6 coursesTypical fee £16,200 (UG)
Music
13 coursesTypical fee £29,600 (UG)
6 coursesTypical fee £16,200 (UG)
Aerospace Engineering
5 coursesTypical fee £33,700 (UG)
13 coursesTypical fee £16,200 (UG)
Media & Film Studies
12 coursesTypical fee £27,300 (UG)
6 coursesTypical fee £16,200 (UG)
Sociology & Criminology
13 coursesTypical fee £27,300 (UG)
4 coursesTypical fee £16,700 (UG)
Politics & International Relations
15 coursesTypical fee £27,300 (UG)
1 courseTypical fee £17,900 (PG)
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.
Only at University of Leeds
Only at University of South Wales
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)£28,50089%Satisfaction83%Law
£26,000Salary (3 years)£20,00087%Satisfaction96%Design & Fashion
£24,000Salary (3 years)£20,50087%Satisfaction88%Psychology (General)
£25,000Salary (3 years)£19,50091%Satisfaction90%Business Studies
£36,000Salary (3 years)£19,00084%Satisfaction91%Chemistry
£28,000Salary (3 years)£23,50085%Satisfaction84%Computer Science
£42,000Salary (3 years)£19,50079%Satisfaction90%Electronic & Electrical Engineering
£31,000Salary (3 years)£30,00092%Satisfaction94%Music
£21,500Salary (3 years)£18,50087%Satisfaction71%Aerospace Engineering
£31,000Salary (3 years)£26,50082%Satisfaction89%Media & Film Studies
£25,000Salary (3 years)£19,00090%Satisfaction82%Sociology & Criminology
£25,000Salary (3 years)£20,50082%Satisfaction83%
Showing the 12 largest of 31 shared subjects with published outcomes.
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveUniversity 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
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
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.
Ready to explore courses?
Browse available courses, check entry requirements, and find scholarships at each university.