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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 St Andrews

St Andrews · QS World #115

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.

5/11

Nottingham

scored higher in 5 categories

VS

6/11

St Andrews

scored higher in 6 categories

Quick Verdict

University of St Andrews leads in 6 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, international, courses, scholarship). University of Nottingham is ahead on ranking, Russell Group, employment, graduate salary.

University of Nottingham vs University of St Andrews at a glance

University of Nottingham and University of St Andrews both teach 47 subject areas, the largest being African & Middle Eastern Studies, French and History. University of Nottingham offers 580 courses across 98 subject areas; University of St Andrews offers 1,157 courses across 64 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £33,000 a year at University of Nottingham and £30,160 at University of St Andrews: University of St Andrews is about £2,840 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,800 a year at University of Nottingham and £27,200 at University of St Andrews: University of St Andrews is about £3,600 a year cheaper.

Of the 23 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of St Andrews is higher in 14 and University of Nottingham in 6, with 3 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £36,000 three years after graduating from University of Nottingham, against £51,500 from University of St Andrews. Of the 21 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of St Andrews is higher in 17 and University of Nottingham in 3, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#97
QS World
#115
#145
THE World
#162
#21
Guardian UK
#3
1881
Established
1413
Yes
Russell Group
No
Silver
TEF Rating
—

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 St Andrews

86.6%
93.2%

Satisfaction

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

£40,400
£40,000

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.7%
74.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

21.1%
46.1%

International

International student share

580
1157

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

5
62

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

St Andrews

89 countries · 46.1% international

  • 🇺🇸United States42.3%
  • 🇨🇳China9%
  • 🇩🇪Germany4%
  • 🇮🇳India4%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong3.2%

Subjects

47 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 St Andrews

Also taught at both: Geography (General), Biology, Chemistry, Psychology (General), Management, Physics, Childhood & Youth Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Human Geography & Environment, Biomedical Sciences, Business & Management (General), Microbiology & Cell Biology, Medicine, Sociology & Criminology, Physical Geography & Climate, Statistics, Biochemistry, Education Studies, Geology & Earth Sciences, Law, Creative Writing, Zoology & Animal Biology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Ecology & Conservation, Animal Science, Applied & General Science, Business Studies, Environmental Sciences, Materials Science, English Literature, Liberal Arts, Marketing.

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 St Andrews
£30,160

University of St Andrews is about £2,840 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Nottingham
£30,800
University of St Andrews
£27,200

University of St Andrews is about £3,600 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 St Andrews

  • History

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£28,500
    89%Satisfaction97%
  • Classical Studies

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    88%Satisfaction97%
  • Economics

    £38,500Salary (3 years)£39,000
    83%Satisfaction93%
  • History of Art & Design

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    94%Satisfaction94%
  • Politics & International Relations

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    88%Satisfaction95%
  • Computer Science

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£51,500
    79%Satisfaction93%
  • Mathematics

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£36,500
    81%Satisfaction94%
  • English Studies

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    94%Satisfaction92%
  • Media & Film Studies

    £25,500Salary (3 years)No data
    88%Satisfaction95%
  • Philosophy

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    93%Satisfaction94%
  • Biology

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    91%Satisfaction96%
  • Chemistry

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    90%Satisfaction94%

Showing the 12 largest of 24 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 St Andrews

Applied Environmental Sciences MSc Awards - Women in Mining (WIM) UK

100%

Deadline: Jun 2026

Environmental Science MSc Awards - The Cunningham Scholarship UK

100%

Deadline: Jun 2026

Masters funding in Digital Health and Care

£10,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

School of Modern Languages Masters Scholarship

100%

Deadline: May 2026

University of Jordan Postgraduate Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Nottingham vs University of St Andrews: common questions

Is University of Nottingham or University of St Andrews cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £33,000 a year at University of Nottingham and £30,160 at University of St Andrews: University of St Andrews is about £2,840 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,800 a year at University of Nottingham and £27,200 at University of St Andrews: University of St Andrews is about £3,600 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 St Andrews?

Both universities teach 47 subject areas: African & Middle Eastern Studies, French, History, Classical Studies, Ancient Languages, Economics, History of Art & Design, Politics & International Relations, Computer Science, Mathematics, English Studies, Media & Film Studies and 35 more.

Is University of Nottingham or University of St Andrews better for History?

History graduates earn a median £27,500 three years after graduating from University of Nottingham, and £28,500 from University of St Andrews. Student satisfaction with teaching is 89% at University of Nottingham and 97% at University of St Andrews. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does University of Nottingham or University of St Andrews offer more courses?

University of St Andrews lists 1,157 courses on CourseOptions and University of Nottingham lists 580 courses.

What can you study at University of Nottingham but not at University of St Andrews?

University of Nottingham teaches 51 subject areas that University of St Andrews does not, including Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Architecture, Biotechnology, Linguistics and 43 more.

What can you study at University of St Andrews but not at University of Nottingham?

University of St Andrews teaches 17 subject areas that University of Nottingham does not, including German & Scandinavian Studies, Italian, Spanish & Portuguese, Teacher Training, Anthropology, Asian Languages & Studies, Combined & General Studies, Astronomy & Astrophysics and 9 more.

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