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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 Nottingham

Nottingham · QS World #97

U
University of Southampton

Southampton · QS World #111

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.

3/10

Nottingham

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

7/10

Southampton

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Southampton leads in 7 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, employment, international, scholarship). University of Nottingham is ahead on ranking, graduate salary, courses.

University of Nottingham vs University of Southampton at a glance

University of Nottingham and University of Southampton both teach 70 subject areas, the largest being Electronic & Electrical Engineering, General Engineering and Computer Science. University of Nottingham offers 580 courses across 98 subject areas; University of Southampton offers 545 courses across 91 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £33,000 a year at University of Nottingham and £26,000 at University of Southampton: University of Southampton is about £7,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,800 a year at University of Nottingham and £31,200 at University of Southampton: University of Nottingham is about £400 a year cheaper.

Of the 36 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Nottingham is higher in 19 and University of Southampton in 14, with 3 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £36,000 three years after graduating from University of Nottingham, against £47,000 from University of Southampton. Of the 36 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Southampton is higher in 18 and University of Nottingham in 14, with 4 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#97
QS World
#111
#145
THE World
#129
#21
Guardian UK
#16
1881
Established
1862
Yes
Russell Group
Yes
Silver
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 Nottingham

University of Southampton

86.6%
87%

Satisfaction

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

£40,400
£37,200

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.7%
82.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

21.1%
35.1%

International

International student share

580
545

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

5
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.

Nottingham

98 countries · 21.1% international

  • 🇨🇳China42.6%
  • 🇮🇳India9%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia4.4%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4%
  • 🇹🇷Turkey2.7%
VS

Southampton

103 countries · 35.1% international

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

Subjects

70 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 Nottingham

University of Southampton

Also taught at both: Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Archaeology, Politics & International Relations, Mathematics, Sociology & Criminology, Chemistry, Geology & Earth Sciences, Psychology (General), Design & Fashion, Law, Environmental Sciences, Ancient Languages, Biomedical Sciences, Clinical Specialities, English Literature, Human Geography & Environment, Management, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Music, Architecture, Building & Construction, Business Studies, Health & Social Care, English Studies, Social Sciences (General), Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Marketing, Accounting, Social Policy & Public Policy, Biochemistry, Education Studies, Applied Psychology, Pharmacology, Zoology & Animal Biology, Biology, Clinical & Health Psychology, Cultural Studies, Medicine, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Statistics, Adult Nursing, Biomedical Engineering, Creative Writing, Ecology & Conservation, English Language, Information Systems & Data Science, International Development, Mental Health Nursing, Physical Geography & Climate, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Liberal Arts, Midwifery, Human Resource Management, Technology & Logistics.

Only at University of Nottingham

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 Nottingham
£33,000
University of Southampton
£26,000

University of Southampton is about £7,000 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Nottingham
£30,800
University of Southampton
£31,200

University of Nottingham is about £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 Nottingham

University of Southampton

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £35,500Salary (3 years)£40,500
    86%Satisfaction89%

  • General Engineering

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£34,500
    93%Satisfaction90%

  • Computer Science

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£47,000
    79%Satisfaction80%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£39,500
    79%Satisfaction84%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£34,500
    84%Satisfaction87%

  • Physics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    88%Satisfaction87%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£34,500
    89%Satisfaction89%

  • Civil Engineering

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    92%Satisfaction93%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    88%Satisfaction87%

  • Philosophy

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    93%Satisfaction93%

  • Aerospace Engineering

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    87%Satisfaction94%

  • Economics

    £38,500Salary (3 years)£34,000
    83%Satisfaction85%

Showing the 12 largest of 37 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Nottingham

Taiwan Research Hub PhD Scholarship 2026/27

£11,000

Deadline: N/A

Molson Coors Award

50%

Deadline: N/A

The Witty Entrepreneurial Scholarship

£750

Deadline: N/A

Hillsborough Trust Memorial Bursary

£500

Deadline: N/A

PhD Scholarships

See details

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 Nottingham vs University of Southampton: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £33,000 a year at University of Nottingham and £26,000 at University of Southampton: University of Southampton is about £7,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,800 a year at University of Nottingham and £31,200 at University of Southampton: University of Nottingham is about £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 Nottingham and University of Southampton?

Both universities teach 70 subject areas: Electronic & Electrical Engineering, General Engineering, Computer Science, Business & Management (General), Finance & Actuarial Science, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Media & Film Studies, Philosophy and 58 more.

Is University of Nottingham or University of Southampton better for Electronic & Electrical Engineering?

Electronic & Electrical Engineering graduates earn a median £35,500 three years after graduating from University of Nottingham, and £40,500 from University of Southampton. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at University of Nottingham and 89% at University of Southampton. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Nottingham lists 580 courses on CourseOptions and University of Southampton lists 545 courses.

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

University of Nottingham teaches 28 subject areas that University of Southampton does not, including Childhood & Youth Studies, Biotechnology, Linguistics, Public Health & Epidemiology, American & Comparative Studies, Nutrition & Dietetics, Veterinary Medicine, Anatomy & Pathology and 20 more.

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

University of Southampton teaches 21 subject areas that University of Nottingham does not, including Marine Engineering & Technology, Software Engineering, Healthcare Science, Children's Nursing, Community & Specialist Nursing, Nursing (General), Operational Research, Teacher Training and 13 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of Nottingham580 courses · 5 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of Southampton545 courses · 52 scholarshipsBrowse Courses