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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 Southampton

Southampton · QS World #111

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.

3/11

Liverpool

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

8/11

Southampton

scored higher in 8 categories

Quick Verdict

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

University of Liverpool vs University of Southampton at a glance

University of Liverpool and University of Southampton both teach 65 subject areas, the largest being Music, Archaeology and Sociology & Criminology. University of Liverpool offers 793 courses across 94 subject areas; University of Southampton offers 545 courses across 91 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,000 a year at University of Liverpool and £26,000 at University of Southampton: University of Southampton is about £6,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,000 a year at University of Liverpool and £31,200 at University of Southampton: University of Liverpool is about £1,200 a year cheaper.

Of the 45 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Southampton is higher in 39 and University of Liverpool in 4, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £32,500 three years after graduating from University of Liverpool, against £47,000 from University of Southampton. Of the 43 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Liverpool is higher in 26 and University of Southampton in 15, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#139
QS World
#111
#143
THE World
#129
#28
Guardian UK
#16
1881
Established
1862
Yes
Russell Group
Yes
Gold
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 Liverpool

University of Southampton

87.7%
87%

Satisfaction

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

£34,300
£37,200

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.9%
82.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

24.1%
35.1%

International

International student share

793
545

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

2
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.

Liverpool

93 countries · 24.1% international

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

Southampton

103 countries · 35.1% international

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

Subjects

65 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 Southampton

Also taught at both: Mechanical Engineering, English Studies, Philosophy, Aerospace Engineering, Economics, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Geology & Earth Sciences, English Literature, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Marketing, Ancient Languages, Design & Fashion, Environmental Sciences, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Accounting, Social Policy & Public Policy, Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biology, Psychology (General), Biomedical Sciences, English Language, Medicine, Health & Social Care, Management, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Physical Geography & Climate, Architecture, Biomedical Engineering, Clinical & Health Psychology, Ecology & Conservation, Nursing (General), Biochemistry, Clinical Specialities, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Human Geography & Environment, Pharmacology, Business Information Systems, Computing & IT, Information Systems & Data Science, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Zoology & Animal Biology, Applied Computing, Heritage & Conservation, Human Resource Management, Humanities, Biological Sciences (General), Information & Library Studies, Personal & Professional Development.

Only at University of Liverpool

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 Liverpool
£32,000
University of Southampton
£26,000

University of Southampton is about £6,000 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Liverpool
£30,000
University of Southampton
£31,200

University of Liverpool is about £1,200 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 Southampton

  • Music

    £19,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    91%Satisfaction90%

  • Archaeology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£18,500
    92%Satisfaction97%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    86%Satisfaction86%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£40,500
    84%Satisfaction89%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    93%Satisfaction91%

  • General Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£34,500
    93%Satisfaction90%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    87%Satisfaction87%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    87%Satisfaction85%

  • Law

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    86%Satisfaction87%

  • Mathematics

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    82%Satisfaction81%

  • Physics

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    95%Satisfaction87%

  • Computer Science

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£47,000
    77%Satisfaction80%

Showing the 12 largest of 45 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 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 Liverpool vs University of Southampton: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,000 a year at University of Liverpool and £26,000 at University of Southampton: University of Southampton is about £6,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,000 a year at University of Liverpool and £31,200 at University of Southampton: University of Liverpool is about £1,200 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 Southampton?

Both universities teach 65 subject areas: Music, Archaeology, Sociology & Criminology, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, History, General Engineering, Media & Film Studies, Politics & International Relations, Business & Management (General), Law, Mathematics, Physics and 53 more.

Is University of Liverpool or University of Southampton better for Music?

Music graduates earn a median £19,000 three years after graduating from University of Liverpool, and £21,000 from University of Southampton. Student satisfaction with teaching is 91% at University of Liverpool and 90% at University of Southampton. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Liverpool lists 793 courses on CourseOptions and University of Southampton lists 545 courses.

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

University of Liverpool teaches 29 subject areas that University of Southampton does not, including Asian Languages & Studies, Classical Studies, French, Italian, German & Scandinavian Studies, Spanish & Portuguese, Irish Studies, Dentistry and 21 more.

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

University of Southampton teaches 26 subject areas that University of Liverpool does not, including Chemical Engineering, Marine Engineering & Technology, Education Studies, Healthcare Science, Children's Nursing, Community & Specialist Nursing, Statistics, Adult Nursing and 18 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 Southampton545 courses · 52 scholarshipsBrowse Courses