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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 Sunderland

Sunderland · Guardian UK #86

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

Nottingham

scored higher in 7 categories

VS

3/10

Sunderland

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

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

University of Nottingham vs University of Sunderland at a glance

University of Nottingham and University of Sunderland both teach 44 subject areas, the largest being Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Computer Science and Health Sciences & Paramedic Science. University of Nottingham offers 580 courses across 98 subject areas; University of Sunderland offers 193 courses across 56 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £33,000 a year at University of Nottingham and £17,500 at University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland is about £15,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,800 a year at University of Nottingham and £17,000 at University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland is about £13,800 a year cheaper.

Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Nottingham is higher in 19 and University of Sunderland in 1. The widest gap is in Economics: £38,500 three years after graduating from University of Nottingham, 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 12 and University of Nottingham in 9.

World & National Rankings

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

#97
QS World
—
#145
THE World
#1501
#21
Guardian UK
#86
1881
Established
1901
Yes
Russell Group
No
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 Sunderland

86.6%
89.8%

Satisfaction

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

£40,400
£24,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.7%
81.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

21.1%
36.5%

International

International student share

580
193

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

5
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.

Nottingham

98 countries · 21.1% international

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

Sunderland

56 countries · 36.5% international

  • 🌐Nepal29.5%
  • 🇮🇳India17.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria16.6%
  • 🇨🇳China7.3%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan6.9%

Subjects

44 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 Sunderland

Also taught at both: English Studies, Health & Social Care, Mathematics, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, Business Studies, Social Sciences (General), Management, Sociology & Criminology, Applied Psychology, Biochemistry, Film Production & Cinematography, Music, Pharmacy, Marketing, Applied & General Science, Geology & Earth Sciences, Education Studies, Human Resource Management, Mental Health Nursing, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Social Work, Accounting, Clinical & Health Psychology, Counselling & Psychotherapy, General Engineering, Medicine, Midwifery, Adult Nursing.

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 Sunderland
£17,500

University of Sunderland is about £15,500 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Nottingham
£30,800
University of Sunderland
£17,000

University of Sunderland is about £13,800 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 Sunderland

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £35,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    86%Satisfaction76%
  • Computer Science

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    79%Satisfaction78%
  • Law

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
    89%Satisfaction95%
  • Media & Film Studies

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£18,000
    88%Satisfaction93%
  • Psychology (General)

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£19,000
    83%Satisfaction88%
  • Manufacturing & Production Engineering

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    92%Satisfaction78%
  • Economics

    £38,500Salary (3 years)£18,500
    83%Satisfaction89%
  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£20,000
    79%Satisfaction85%
  • Mechanical Engineering

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    84%Satisfaction82%
  • Chemistry

    £30,000Salary (3 years)No data
    90%Satisfaction89%
  • English Studies

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    94%Satisfaction97%
  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£19,500
    95%Satisfaction86%

Showing the 12 largest of 22 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 Sunderland

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Nottingham vs University of Sunderland: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £33,000 a year at University of Nottingham and £17,500 at University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland is about £15,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,800 a year at University of Nottingham and £17,000 at University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland is about £13,800 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 Sunderland?

Both universities teach 44 subject areas: Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Law, Media & Film Studies, Chemical Engineering, Childhood & Youth Studies, Psychology (General), Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Economics, Finance & Actuarial Science, Mechanical Engineering and 32 more.

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

Electronic & Electrical Engineering graduates earn a median £35,500 three years after graduating from University of Nottingham, and £26,500 from University of Sunderland. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at University of Nottingham and 76% at University of Sunderland. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Nottingham lists 580 courses on CourseOptions and University of Sunderland lists 193 courses.

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

University of Nottingham teaches 54 subject areas that University of Sunderland does not, including Philosophy, Physics, Civil Engineering, Politics & International Relations, Architecture, Biotechnology, Human Geography & Environment, Linguistics and 46 more.

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

University of Sunderland teaches 12 subject areas that University of Nottingham does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Journalism, Fine Art, Nursing (General), Performing Arts (General), Software Engineering, Teacher Training, Agriculture & Land Management and 4 more.

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