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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 Southampton

Southampton · QS World #111

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 9 datapoints

We looked at 9 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

5/9

Leeds

scored higher in 5 categories

VS

4/9

Southampton

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Leeds leads in 5 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, employment, courses). University of Southampton is ahead on established, satisfaction, international, scholarship.

University of Leeds vs University of Southampton at a glance

University of Leeds and University of Southampton both teach 73 subject areas, the largest being Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering and Physics. University of Leeds offers 579 courses across 110 subject areas; University of Southampton offers 545 courses across 91 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £33,700 a year at University of Leeds and £26,000 at University of Southampton: University of Southampton is about £7,700 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,500 a year at University of Leeds and £31,200 at University of Southampton: University of Southampton is about £300 a year cheaper.

Of the 47 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Southampton is higher in 28 and University of Leeds in 14, with 5 about level. The widest gap is in Electronic & Electrical Engineering: £31,000 three years after graduating from University of Leeds, against £40,500 from University of Southampton. Of the 48 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Southampton is higher in 28 and University of Leeds in 18, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#77
QS World
#111
#118
THE World
#129
#15
Guardian UK
#16
1904
Established
1862
Yes
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 Leeds

University of Southampton

85.7%
87%

Satisfaction

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

£37,200
£37,200

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.7%
82.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.5%
35.1%

International

International student share

579
545

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

13
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.

Leeds

105 countries · 31.5% international

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

Southampton

103 countries · 35.1% international

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

Subjects

73 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 Southampton

Also taught at both: Geology & Earth Sciences, Law, Politics & International Relations, Mathematics, Aerospace Engineering, Music, Ancient Languages, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Philosophy, Chemical Engineering, Education Studies, English Literature, Management, Environmental Sciences, Marketing, Social Policy & Public Policy, Personal & Professional Development, Biomedical Engineering, Human Geography & Environment, English Studies, Psychology (General), Software Engineering, Zoology & Animal Biology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Ecology & Conservation, Health & Social Care, Statistics, Biological Sciences (General), Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Healthcare Science, Information Systems & Data Science, Teacher Training, Biochemistry, Children's Nursing, Clinical & Health Psychology, Fine Art, Human Resource Management, Medicine, Physical Geography & Climate, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Adult Nursing, Information & Library Studies, International Development, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Pharmacology, Cultural Studies, English Language, Social Sciences (General), Applied Psychology, Architecture, Creative Writing, Humanities, Liberal Arts, Mental Health Nursing, Midwifery, Specialist Clinical Nursing.

Only at University of Leeds

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 Leeds
£33,700
University of Southampton
£26,000

University of Southampton is about £7,700 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Leeds
£31,500
University of Southampton
£31,200

University of Southampton is about £300 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 Southampton

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£40,500
    92%Satisfaction89%

  • Civil Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    89%Satisfaction93%

  • Physics

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    89%Satisfaction87%

  • Computer Science

    £42,000Salary (3 years)£47,000
    79%Satisfaction80%

  • Chemistry

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    85%Satisfaction91%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    90%Satisfaction87%

  • Business Studies

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£31,500
    84%Satisfaction66%

  • Design & Fashion

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£21,500
    87%Satisfaction89%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£39,500
    93%Satisfaction84%

  • History

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    94%Satisfaction91%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£34,500
    88%Satisfaction87%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    82%Satisfaction86%

Showing the 12 largest of 48 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 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 Leeds vs University of Southampton: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £33,700 a year at University of Leeds and £26,000 at University of Southampton: University of Southampton is about £7,700 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,500 a year at University of Leeds and £31,200 at University of Southampton: University of Southampton is about £300 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 Southampton?

Both universities teach 73 subject areas: Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Physics, General Engineering, Computer Science, Chemistry, Business & Management (General), Media & Film Studies, Business Studies, Design & Fashion, Finance & Actuarial Science, History and 61 more.

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

Electronic & Electrical Engineering graduates earn a median £31,000 three years after graduating from University of Leeds, and £40,500 from University of Southampton. Student satisfaction with teaching is 92% at University of Leeds and 89% at University of Southampton. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Leeds lists 579 courses on CourseOptions and University of Southampton lists 545 courses.

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

University of Leeds teaches 37 subject areas that University of Southampton does not, including Asian Languages & Studies, Drama & Theatre, Linguistics, Medical Imaging, Theology & Religious Studies, Natural Sciences, Nutrition & Dietetics, Dentistry and 29 more.

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

University of Southampton teaches 18 subject areas that University of Leeds does not, including Archaeology, Marine Engineering & Technology, Accounting, Community & Specialist Nursing, Building & Construction, Clinical Specialities, Nursing (General), Operational Research and 10 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of Leeds579 courses · 13 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of Southampton545 courses · 52 scholarshipsBrowse Courses