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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.

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University of Liverpool

Liverpool · QS World #139

U
University of Plymouth

Plymouth · QS World #691

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

Liverpool

scored higher in 8 categories

VS

3/11

Plymouth

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

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

University of Liverpool vs University of Plymouth at a glance

University of Liverpool and University of Plymouth both teach 55 subject areas, the largest being Music, Sociology & Criminology and Politics & International Relations. University of Liverpool offers 793 courses across 94 subject areas; University of Plymouth offers 310 courses across 78 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,000 a year at University of Liverpool and £19,200 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £12,800 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,000 a year at University of Liverpool and £19,500 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £10,500 a year cheaper.

Of the 38 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Liverpool is higher in 32 and University of Plymouth in 2, with 4 about level. The widest gap is in Optometry & Ophthalmics: £27,500 three years after graduating from University of Liverpool, against £40,000 from University of Plymouth. Of the 37 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Plymouth is higher in 19 and University of Liverpool in 16, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#139
QS World
#691
#143
THE World
#501
#28
Guardian UK
#56
1881
Established
1862
Yes
Russell Group
No
Gold
TEF Rating
Gold

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

University of Liverpool

University of Plymouth

87.7%
86.6%

Satisfaction

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

£34,300
£30,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.9%
84.2%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

24.1%
11.9%

International

International student share

793
310

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

2
10

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.

Liverpool

93 countries · 24.1% international

  • 🇨🇳China40.6%
  • 🇮🇳India17.1%
  • 🌐Kuwait4.3%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia4%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.1%
VS

Plymouth

71 countries · 11.9% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria14.6%
  • 🇨🇳China12.2%
  • 🇮🇳India11%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.7%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka3.3%

Subjects

55 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 Liverpool

University of Plymouth

Also taught at both: Civil Engineering, Psychology (General), Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Biomedical Sciences, Ecology & Conservation, Mechanical Engineering, Design & Fashion, Physical Geography & Climate, Dentistry, Finance & Actuarial Science, Counselling & Psychotherapy, General Engineering, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Marketing, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Biology, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Architecture, Human Geography & Environment, Management, Medical Imaging, Software Engineering, Accounting, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Film Production & Cinematography, Medicine, Optometry & Ophthalmics, Clinical & Health Psychology, Environmental Sciences, Geography (General), Nursing (General), Agriculture & Land Management, Anatomy & Pathology, Biomedical Engineering, Childhood & Youth Studies, Human Resource Management, Zoology & Animal Biology, Biological Sciences (General), Drama & Theatre, Heritage & Conservation.

Only at University of Liverpool

Only at University of Plymouth

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 Liverpool
£32,000
University of Plymouth
£19,200

University of Plymouth is about £12,800 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Liverpool
£30,000
University of Plymouth
£19,500

University of Plymouth is about £10,500 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 Liverpool

University of Plymouth

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    86%Satisfaction83%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    87%Satisfaction86%

  • Law

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£21,500
    86%Satisfaction84%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£20,500
    93%Satisfaction94%

  • Mathematics

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    82%Satisfaction86%

  • English Studies

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    90%Satisfaction94%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £22,500Salary (3 years)No data
    87%Satisfaction87%

  • Business Studies

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    83%Satisfaction74%

  • Computer Science

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    77%Satisfaction72%

  • Geology & Earth Sciences

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    92%Satisfaction91%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    84%Satisfaction91%

  • Economics

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    86%Satisfaction91%

Showing the 12 largest of 39 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Liverpool

Liverpool Advancement Scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

Postgraduate Opportunity Bursary

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

University of Plymouth

GREAT Scholarships

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

International Undergraduate Welcome to Plymouth Scholarship

£6,000

Deadline: N/A

Tamar Engineering Project

£4,500

Deadline: Jun 2026

International Postgraduate Welcome to Plymouth Scholarship

£4,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Liverpool vs University of Plymouth: common questions

Is University of Liverpool or University of Plymouth cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,000 a year at University of Liverpool and £19,200 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £12,800 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,000 a year at University of Liverpool and £19,500 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £10,500 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 Liverpool and University of Plymouth?

Both universities teach 55 subject areas: Music, Sociology & Criminology, Politics & International Relations, Law, History, Mathematics, English Studies, Media & Film Studies, Business & Management (General), Business Studies, Computer Science, Geology & Earth Sciences and 43 more.

Is University of Liverpool or University of Plymouth better for Sociology & Criminology?

Sociology & Criminology graduates earn a median £24,000 three years after graduating from University of Liverpool, and £22,500 from University of Plymouth. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at University of Liverpool and 83% at University of Plymouth. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does University of Liverpool or University of Plymouth offer more courses?

University of Liverpool lists 793 courses on CourseOptions and University of Plymouth lists 310 courses.

What can you study at University of Liverpool but not at University of Plymouth?

University of Liverpool teaches 39 subject areas that University of Plymouth does not, including Archaeology, Asian Languages & Studies, Classical Studies, French, Italian, German & Scandinavian Studies, Philosophy, Physics and 31 more.

What can you study at University of Plymouth but not at University of Liverpool?

University of Plymouth teaches 23 subject areas that University of Liverpool does not, including Adult Nursing, Nutrition & Dietetics, Marine Engineering & Technology, Building & Construction, Children's Nursing, Midwifery, Statistics, Complementary & Alternative Medicine and 15 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of Liverpool793 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of Plymouth310 courses · 10 scholarshipsBrowse Courses