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
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.
7/10
Liverpool
scored higher in 7 categories
3/10
West of Scotland
scored higher in 3 categories
Quick Verdict
University of Liverpool leads in 7 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of the West of Scotland is ahead on satisfaction, employment, international.
University of Liverpool vs University of the West of Scotland at a glance
University of Liverpool and University of the West of Scotland both teach 33 subject areas, the largest being Music, Sociology & Criminology and Politics & International Relations. University of Liverpool offers 793 courses across 94 subject areas; University of the West of Scotland offers 119 courses across 49 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,000 a year at University of Liverpool and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £16,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,000 a year at University of Liverpool and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £13,720 a year cheaper.
Of the 15 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Liverpool is higher in 15 and University of the West of Scotland in 0. The widest gap is in Business Information Systems: £33,000 three years after graduating from University of Liverpool, against £22,000 from University of the West of Scotland. Of the 13 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Liverpool is higher in 7 and University of the West of Scotland in 4, with 2 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 the West of Scotland
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%
West of Scotland
33 countries · 30.3% international
- 🇵🇰Pakistan36.2%
- 🌐Nepal20.4%
- 🇮🇳India19.3%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria7.4%
- 🇧🇩Bangladesh5.3%
Subjects
33 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 the West of Scotland
Music
44 coursesTypical fee £27,000 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £16,750 (UG)
Sociology & Criminology
35 coursesTypical fee £27,000 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £15,500 (UG)
Politics & International Relations
34 coursesTypical fee £27,000 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £13,630 (PG)
Business Studies
20 coursesTypical fee £27,000 (UG)
9 coursesTypical fee £15,500 (UG)
Media & Film Studies
27 coursesTypical fee £27,500 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £18,140 (PG)
Law
26 coursesTypical fee £27,000 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £14,500 (UG)
Mathematics
25 coursesTypical fee £29,500 (UG)
1 courseTypical fee £18,000 (UG)
Physics
17 coursesTypical fee £32,000 (UG)
3 coursesTypical fee £18,000 (UG)
Chemistry
13 coursesTypical fee £32,000 (UG)
5 coursesTypical fee £15,500 (UG)
Business & Management (General)
14 coursesTypical fee £32,000 (PG)
2 coursesFee not available
Health Sciences & Paramedic Science
11 coursesTypical fee £32,000 (PG)
2 coursesFee not available
Electronic & Electrical Engineering
11 coursesTypical fee £32,000 (UG)
1 courseTypical fee £18,000 (UG)
General Engineering
Aerospace Engineering
Business Information Systems
Also taught at both: Applied Computing, Biology, Computing & IT, Mechanical Engineering, Accounting, English Language, Marketing, Biomedical Sciences, Psychology (General), Childhood & Youth Studies, Health & Social Care, Public Health & Epidemiology, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Human Geography & Environment, Nursing (General), Zoology & Animal Biology, Design & Fashion, Environmental Sciences.
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 the West of Scotland
- £15,500
University of the West of Scotland is about £16,500 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- University of Liverpool
- £30,000
- University of the West of Scotland
- £16,280
University of the West of Scotland is about £13,720 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 the West of Scotland
Music
£19,000Salary (3 years)£18,50091%Satisfaction90%Sociology & Criminology
£24,000Salary (3 years)£23,00086%SatisfactionNo dataBusiness Studies
£26,500Salary (3 years)£21,00083%Satisfaction75%Law
£23,000Salary (3 years)£21,00086%SatisfactionNo dataPhysics
£28,000Salary (3 years)£23,00095%Satisfaction95%Chemistry
£26,000Salary (3 years)£23,00084%Satisfaction95%Electronic & Electrical Engineering
£32,000Salary (3 years)£26,50084%Satisfaction80%General Engineering
£32,000Salary (3 years)£26,50093%Satisfaction92%Aerospace Engineering
£32,000Salary (3 years)£30,50087%Satisfaction100%Business Information Systems
£33,000Salary (3 years)£22,00088%Satisfaction85%Applied Computing
£33,000Salary (3 years)£22,00081%Satisfaction90%Biology
£24,500Salary (3 years)£20,50089%Satisfaction99%
Showing the 12 largest of 16 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 the West of Scotland
View all scholarships →FAQ
University of Liverpool vs University of the West of Scotland: common questions
Is University of Liverpool or University of the West of Scotland cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,000 a year at University of Liverpool and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £16,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,000 a year at University of Liverpool and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £13,720 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 the West of Scotland?
Both universities teach 33 subject areas: Music, Sociology & Criminology, Politics & International Relations, Business Studies, Media & Film Studies, Law, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Business & Management (General), Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Electronic & Electrical Engineering and 21 more.
Is University of Liverpool or University of the West of Scotland better for Music?
Music graduates earn a median £19,000 three years after graduating from University of Liverpool, and £18,500 from University of the West of Scotland. Student satisfaction with teaching is 91% at University of Liverpool and 90% 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 Liverpool or University of the West of Scotland offer more courses?
University of Liverpool lists 793 courses on CourseOptions and University of the West of Scotland lists 119 courses.
What can you study at University of Liverpool but not at University of the West of Scotland?
University of Liverpool teaches 61 subject areas that University of the West of Scotland does not, including Archaeology, History, Asian Languages & Studies, English Studies, Classical Studies, French, Italian, German & Scandinavian Studies and 53 more.
What can you study at University of the West of Scotland but not at University of Liverpool?
University of the West of Scotland teaches 16 subject areas that University of Liverpool does not, including Teacher Training, Applied Psychology, Social Sciences (General), Social Work, Community & Specialist Nursing, Journalism, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Adult Nursing and 8 more.
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