Compare any two UK universities
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Liverpool · QS World #139
Sunderland · Guardian UK #86
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
3/11
Sunderland
scored higher in 3 categories
Quick Verdict
University of Liverpool leads in 8 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, TEF, established, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Sunderland is ahead on satisfaction, employment, international.
University of Liverpool vs University of Sunderland at a glance
University of Liverpool and University of Sunderland both teach 38 subject areas, the largest being Music, Law and Sociology & Criminology. University of Liverpool offers 793 courses across 94 subject areas; University of Sunderland offers 193 courses across 56 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,000 a year at University of Liverpool and £17,500 at University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland is about £14,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,000 a year at University of Liverpool and £17,000 at University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland is about £13,000 a year cheaper.
Of the 21 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Liverpool is higher in 19 and University of Sunderland in 1, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Economics: £29,000 three years after graduating from University of Liverpool, against £18,500 from University of Sunderland. Of the 21 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Sunderland is higher in 13 and University of Liverpool in 7, with 1 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 Sunderland
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%
Sunderland
56 countries · 36.5% international
- 🌐Nepal29.5%
- 🇮🇳India17.7%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria16.6%
- 🇨🇳China7.3%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan6.9%
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 Liverpool
University of Sunderland
Music
44 coursesTypical fee £27,000 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
Law
26 coursesTypical fee £27,000 (UG)
12 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
Sociology & Criminology
35 coursesTypical fee £27,000 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
Media & Film Studies
27 coursesTypical fee £27,500 (UG)
7 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
Business Studies
20 coursesTypical fee £27,000 (UG)
7 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
English Studies
23 coursesTypical fee £27,000 (UG)
3 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
Mathematics
25 coursesTypical fee £29,500 (UG)
1 courseTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
Computer Science
17 coursesTypical fee £34,000 (UG)
7 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
Business & Management (General)
14 coursesTypical fee £32,000 (PG)
4 coursesTypical fee £16,500 (UG)
Chemistry
13 coursesTypical fee £32,000 (UG)
4 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
Economics
15 coursesTypical fee £27,000 (UG)
1 courseFee not available
Electronic & Electrical Engineering
11 coursesTypical fee £32,000 (UG)
5 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
Hospitality, Events & Tourism
2 coursesTypical fee £32,000 (PG)
12 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
Health Sciences & Paramedic Science
11 coursesTypical fee £32,000 (PG)
2 coursesTypical fee £17,000 (PG)
Finance & Actuarial Science
Also taught at both: Geology & Earth Sciences, Marketing, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Psychology (General), Film Production & Cinematography, Design & Fashion, General Engineering, Software Engineering, Health & Social Care, Nursing (General), Accounting, Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences, Childhood & Youth Studies, Medicine, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Human Resource Management, Clinical & Health Psychology, Management, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Agriculture & Land Management.
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 Sunderland
- £17,500
University of Sunderland is about £14,500 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- University of Liverpool
- £30,000
- University of Sunderland
- £17,000
University of Sunderland is about £13,000 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 Sunderland
Music
£19,000Salary (3 years)£17,00091%Satisfaction100%Law
£23,000Salary (3 years)£19,00086%Satisfaction95%Sociology & Criminology
£24,000Salary (3 years)£18,50086%Satisfaction87%Media & Film Studies
£22,500Salary (3 years)£18,00087%Satisfaction93%Business Studies
£26,500Salary (3 years)£20,00083%Satisfaction91%English Studies
£22,500Salary (3 years)£19,50090%Satisfaction97%Computer Science
£32,500Salary (3 years)£25,50077%Satisfaction78%Chemistry
£26,000Salary (3 years)No data84%Satisfaction89%Economics
£29,000Salary (3 years)£18,50086%Satisfaction89%Electronic & Electrical Engineering
£32,000Salary (3 years)£26,50084%Satisfaction76%Finance & Actuarial Science
£27,000Salary (3 years)£20,00086%Satisfaction85%Marketing
£27,500Salary (3 years)£20,00089%Satisfaction91%
Showing the 12 largest of 22 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 Sunderland
View all scholarships →FAQ
University of Liverpool vs University of Sunderland: common questions
Is University of Liverpool or University of Sunderland cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,000 a year at University of Liverpool and £17,500 at University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland is about £14,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,000 a year at University of Liverpool and £17,000 at University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland is about £13,000 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 Sunderland?
Both universities teach 38 subject areas: Music, Law, Sociology & Criminology, Media & Film Studies, Business Studies, English Studies, Mathematics, Computer Science, Business & Management (General), Chemistry, Economics, Electronic & Electrical Engineering and 26 more.
Is University of Liverpool or University of Sunderland better for Music?
Music graduates earn a median £19,000 three years after graduating from University of Liverpool, and £17,000 from University of Sunderland. Student satisfaction with teaching is 91% at University of Liverpool and 100% at University of Sunderland. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does University of Liverpool or University of Sunderland offer more courses?
University of Liverpool lists 793 courses on CourseOptions and University of Sunderland lists 193 courses.
What can you study at University of Liverpool but not at University of Sunderland?
University of Liverpool teaches 56 subject areas that University of Sunderland does not, including Archaeology, Politics & International Relations, History, Asian Languages & Studies, Classical Studies, French, Italian, German & Scandinavian Studies and 48 more.
What can you study at University of Sunderland but not at University of Liverpool?
University of Sunderland teaches 18 subject areas that University of Liverpool does not, including Sport & Exercise Sciences, Journalism, Fine Art, Performing Arts (General), Applied Psychology, Education Studies, Social Work, Teacher Training and 10 more.
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