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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 the West of Scotland

Paisley · Guardian UK #115

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 10 datapoints

We looked at 10 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

8/10

Leeds

scored higher in 8 categories

VS

2/10

West of Scotland

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Leeds leads in 8 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, employment, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of the West of Scotland is ahead on established, satisfaction.

University of Leeds vs University of the West of Scotland at a glance

University of Leeds and University of the West of Scotland both teach 38 subject areas, the largest being Physics, Business Studies and Chemistry. University of Leeds offers 579 courses across 110 subject areas; University of the West of Scotland offers 119 courses across 49 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £33,700 a year at University of Leeds and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £18,200 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,500 a year at University of Leeds and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £15,220 a year cheaper.

Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Leeds is higher in 20 and University of the West of Scotland in 1, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Business Studies: £36,000 three years after graduating from University of Leeds, against £21,000 from University of the West of Scotland. Of the 19 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of the West of Scotland is higher in 14 and University of Leeds in 5.

World & National Rankings

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

#77
QS World
—
#118
THE World
#601
#15
Guardian UK
#115
1904
Established
1897
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 the West of Scotland

85.7%
89%

Satisfaction

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

£37,200
£31,134.9

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.7%
81.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.5%
30.3%

International

International student share

579
119

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

13
0

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

West of Scotland

33 countries · 30.3% international

  • 🇵🇰Pakistan36.2%
  • 🌐Nepal20.4%
  • 🇮🇳India19.3%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria7.4%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh5.3%

Subjects

38 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 the West of Scotland

Also taught at both: Aerospace Engineering, General Engineering, Marketing, Business & Management (General), Childhood & Youth Studies, Mechanical Engineering, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Applied Psychology, Health & Social Care, Public Health & Epidemiology, Social Sciences (General), Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Psychology (General), Social Work, Cultural Studies, Journalism, Adult Nursing, English Language, Healthcare Science, Mental Health Nursing, Midwifery.

Only at University of Leeds

Only at University of the West of Scotland

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 the West of Scotland
£15,500

University of the West of Scotland is about £18,200 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Leeds
£31,500
University of the West of Scotland
£16,280

University of the West of Scotland is about £15,220 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 the West of Scotland

  • Physics

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    89%Satisfaction95%

  • Business Studies

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    84%Satisfaction75%

  • Chemistry

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    85%Satisfaction95%

  • Design & Fashion

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£17,500
    87%Satisfaction91%

  • Law

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    87%SatisfactionNo data

  • Music

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£18,500
    87%Satisfaction90%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    82%SatisfactionNo data

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    92%Satisfaction80%

  • Education Studies

    £21,000Salary (3 years)No data
    86%Satisfaction96%

  • Zoology & Animal Biology

    £22,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
    86%SatisfactionNo data

  • Aerospace Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    82%Satisfaction100%

  • Childhood & Youth Studies

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    83%Satisfaction92%

Showing the 12 largest of 24 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 the West of Scotland

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Leeds vs University of the West of Scotland: common questions

Is University of Leeds or University of the West of Scotland cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £33,700 a year at University of Leeds and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £18,200 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,500 a year at University of Leeds and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £15,220 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 the West of Scotland?

Both universities teach 38 subject areas: Physics, Business Studies, Chemistry, Politics & International Relations, Design & Fashion, Law, Music, Sociology & Criminology, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, Media & Film Studies, Teacher Training and 26 more.

Is University of Leeds or University of the West of Scotland better for Physics?

Physics graduates earn a median £29,000 three years after graduating from University of Leeds, and £23,000 from University of the West of Scotland. Student satisfaction with teaching is 89% at University of Leeds and 95% 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 Leeds or University of the West of Scotland offer more courses?

University of Leeds lists 579 courses on CourseOptions and University of the West of Scotland lists 119 courses.

What can you study at University of Leeds but not at University of the West of Scotland?

University of Leeds teaches 72 subject areas that University of the West of Scotland does not, including Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Economics, History, Philosophy, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Management, Personal & Professional Development and 64 more.

What can you study at University of the West of Scotland but not at University of Leeds?

University of the West of Scotland teaches 11 subject areas that University of Leeds does not, including Applied Computing, Business Information Systems, Computing & IT, Accounting, Community & Specialist Nursing, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Creative Arts (General) and 3 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 the West of Scotland119 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses