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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.

U
University of Liverpool

Liverpool · QS World #139

U
University of the West of Scotland

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

VS

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.

#139
QS World
—
#143
THE World
#601
#28
Guardian UK
#115
1881
Established
1897
Yes
Russell Group
No
Gold
TEF Rating
—

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

87.7%
89%

Satisfaction

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

£34,300
£31,134.9

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.9%
81.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

24.1%
30.3%

International

International student share

793
119

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

2
0

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

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

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.

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)£18,500
    91%Satisfaction90%
  • Sociology & Criminology

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    86%SatisfactionNo data
  • Business Studies

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    83%Satisfaction75%
  • Law

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    86%SatisfactionNo data
  • Physics

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    95%Satisfaction95%
  • Chemistry

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    84%Satisfaction95%
  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    84%Satisfaction80%
  • General Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    93%Satisfaction92%
  • Aerospace Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    87%Satisfaction100%
  • Business Information Systems

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£22,000
    88%Satisfaction85%
  • Applied Computing

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£22,000
    81%Satisfaction90%
  • Biology

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£20,500
    89%Satisfaction99%

Showing the 12 largest of 16 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 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.

Ready to explore courses?

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