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.
Liverpool · QS World #139
Portsmouth · QS World #662
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.
7/11
Liverpool
scored higher in 7 categories
4/11
Portsmouth
scored higher in 4 categories
Quick Verdict
University of Liverpool leads in 7 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, satisfaction, graduate salary, courses). University of Portsmouth is ahead on established, employment, international, scholarship.
University of Liverpool vs University of Portsmouth at a glance
University of Liverpool and University of Portsmouth both teach 62 subject areas, the largest being Sociology & Criminology, Politics & International Relations and Music. University of Liverpool offers 793 courses across 94 subject areas; University of Portsmouth offers 446 courses across 84 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,000 a year at University of Liverpool and £17,900 at University of Portsmouth: University of Portsmouth is about £14,100 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,000 a year at University of Liverpool and £18,600 at University of Portsmouth: University of Portsmouth is about £11,400 a year cheaper.
Of the 41 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Portsmouth is higher in 23 and University of Liverpool in 16, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £32,500 three years after graduating from University of Liverpool, against £25,500 from University of Portsmouth. Of the 41 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Portsmouth is higher in 20 and University of Liverpool in 16, with 5 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 Liverpool
University of Portsmouth
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.
Liverpool
93 countries · 24.1% international
- 🇨🇳China40.6%
- 🇮🇳India17.1%
- 🌐Kuwait4.3%
- 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia4%
- 🇲🇾Malaysia3.1%
Portsmouth
96 countries · 24.5% international
- 🇮🇳India22.1%
- 🇨🇳China11.6%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria7.8%
- 🌐Kuwait7.1%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan5.6%
Subjects
62 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 Portsmouth
Sociology & Criminology
35 coursesTypical fee £27,000 (UG)
20 coursesTypical fee £17,900 (UG)
Politics & International Relations
34 coursesTypical fee £27,000 (UG)
16 coursesTypical fee £17,900 (UG)
Music
44 coursesTypical fee £27,000 (UG)
4 coursesTypical fee £17,900 (UG)
Law
26 coursesTypical fee £27,000 (UG)
12 coursesTypical fee £17,900 (UG)
Computer Science
17 coursesTypical fee £34,000 (UG)
19 coursesTypical fee £19,200 (UG)
History
30 coursesTypical fee £27,000 (UG)
5 coursesTypical fee £17,900 (UG)
Business Studies
20 coursesTypical fee £27,000 (UG)
13 coursesTypical fee £17,900 (UG)
Media & Film Studies
27 coursesTypical fee £27,500 (UG)
6 coursesTypical fee £17,900 (UG)
Mathematics
25 coursesTypical fee £29,500 (UG)
4 coursesTypical fee £17,900 (UG)
Electronic & Electrical Engineering
11 coursesTypical fee £32,000 (UG)
17 coursesTypical fee £19,200 (UG)
Business & Management (General)
14 coursesTypical fee £32,000 (PG)
12 coursesTypical fee £17,200 (UG)
Economics
15 coursesTypical fee £27,000 (UG)
7 coursesTypical fee £17,900 (UG)
Management
2 coursesTypical fee £32,000 (PG)
17 coursesTypical fee £18,600 (PG)
Physics
17 coursesTypical fee £32,000 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £19,200 (UG)
General Engineering
7 coursesTypical fee £34,000 (PG)
11 coursesTypical fee £16,200 (UG)
Also taught at both: Mechanical Engineering, Accounting, Marketing, Civil Engineering, Design & Fashion, English Literature, Social Policy & Public Policy, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Architecture, Finance & Actuarial Science, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, English Language, Childhood & Youth Studies, Film Production & Cinematography, Human Resource Management, Psychology (General), Ancient Languages, Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Dentistry, Geology & Earth Sciences, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Software Engineering, Ecology & Conservation, Public Health & Epidemiology, Applied Computing, Biomedical Engineering, Computing & IT, Dental Nursing, Medical Imaging, Nursing (General), Physical Geography & Climate, Planning & Housing, Anatomy & Pathology, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Business Information Systems, Human Geography & Environment, Information Systems & Data Science, Pharmacology, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Biochemistry, Clinical & Health Psychology, Drama & Theatre, Environmental Sciences, GIS & Remote Sensing.
Only at University of Liverpool
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 Portsmouth
- £17,900
University of Portsmouth is about £14,100 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- University of Liverpool
- £30,000
- University of Portsmouth
- £18,600
University of Portsmouth is about £11,400 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 Portsmouth
Sociology & Criminology
£24,000Salary (3 years)£24,00086%Satisfaction87%Politics & International Relations
£23,500Salary (3 years)£24,00087%Satisfaction87%Music
£19,000Salary (3 years)£21,00091%Satisfaction91%Law
£23,000Salary (3 years)£25,50086%Satisfaction88%Computer Science
£32,500Salary (3 years)£25,50077%Satisfaction82%History
£23,500Salary (3 years)£24,00093%Satisfaction90%Business Studies
£26,500Salary (3 years)£27,00083%Satisfaction85%Media & Film Studies
£22,500Salary (3 years)£21,50087%Satisfaction85%Mathematics
£26,500Salary (3 years)£27,50082%Satisfaction87%Electronic & Electrical Engineering
£32,000Salary (3 years)£33,50084%Satisfaction84%Economics
£29,000Salary (3 years)£30,50086%Satisfaction85%Physics
£28,000Salary (3 years)£27,00095%Satisfaction97%
Showing the 12 largest of 41 shared subjects with published outcomes.
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveUniversity of Liverpool
Liverpool Advancement Scholarship
£5,000
Deadline: N/A
Postgraduate Opportunity Bursary
£3,000
Deadline: N/A
University of Portsmouth
Portsmouth Football Club Partnership Scholarship
£3,000
Deadline: N/A
Estée Lauder Companies - Whitman Scholarship
See details
Deadline: N/A
Portsmouth Football Club Partnership Scholarship
See details
Deadline: N/A
Sanctuary Language Bursary
See details
Deadline: N/A
Sanctuary Scholarship
See details
Deadline: N/A
FAQ
University of Liverpool vs University of Portsmouth: common questions
Is University of Liverpool or University of Portsmouth cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,000 a year at University of Liverpool and £17,900 at University of Portsmouth: University of Portsmouth is about £14,100 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,000 a year at University of Liverpool and £18,600 at University of Portsmouth: University of Portsmouth is about £11,400 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 Portsmouth?
Both universities teach 62 subject areas: Sociology & Criminology, Politics & International Relations, Music, Law, Computer Science, History, Business Studies, Media & Film Studies, Mathematics, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Business & Management (General), Economics and 50 more.
Is University of Liverpool or University of Portsmouth better for Sociology & Criminology?
Sociology & Criminology graduates earn a median £24,000 three years after graduating from University of Liverpool, and £24,000 from University of Portsmouth. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at University of Liverpool and 87% at University of Portsmouth. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does University of Liverpool or University of Portsmouth offer more courses?
University of Liverpool lists 793 courses on CourseOptions and University of Portsmouth lists 446 courses.
What can you study at University of Liverpool but not at University of Portsmouth?
University of Liverpool teaches 32 subject areas that University of Portsmouth does not, including Archaeology, Asian Languages & Studies, English Studies, Classical Studies, French, Italian, German & Scandinavian Studies, Philosophy and 24 more.
What can you study at University of Portsmouth but not at University of Liverpool?
University of Portsmouth teaches 22 subject areas that University of Liverpool does not, including Building & Construction, Education Studies, Games Design & Computer Animation, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Teacher Training, Creative Writing, Journalism, International Development and 14 more.
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