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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 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

Nottingham

scored higher in 7 categories

VS

3/10

West of Scotland

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 the West of Scotland is ahead on satisfaction, employment, international.

University of Nottingham vs University of the West of Scotland at a glance

University of Nottingham and University of the West of Scotland both teach 38 subject areas, the largest being Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science and Physics. University of Nottingham offers 580 courses across 98 subject areas; University of the West of Scotland offers 119 courses across 49 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £33,000 a year at University of Nottingham and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £17,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,800 a year at University of Nottingham and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £14,520 a year cheaper.

Of the 15 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Nottingham is higher in 13 and University of the West of Scotland in 1, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Law: £34,000 three years after graduating from University of Nottingham, against £21,000 from University of the West of Scotland. Of the 12 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of the West of Scotland is higher in 7 and University of Nottingham in 5.

World & National Rankings

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

#97
QS World
—
#145
THE World
#601
#21
Guardian UK
#115
1881
Established
1897
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 the West of Scotland

86.6%
89%

Satisfaction

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

£40,400
£31,134.9

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.7%
81.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

21.1%
30.3%

International

International student share

580
119

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

West of Scotland

33 countries · 30.3% international

  • 🇵🇰Pakistan36.2%
  • 🌐Nepal20.4%
  • 🇮🇳India19.3%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria7.4%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh5.3%

Subjects

38 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 the West of Scotland

Also taught at both: Business & Management (General), Applied Psychology, Health & Social Care, Sociology & Criminology, Aerospace Engineering, Law, General Engineering, Music, Design & Fashion, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Zoology & Animal Biology, Cultural Studies, Accounting, Environmental Sciences, Mental Health Nursing, Social Work, Biology, English Language, Midwifery, Adult Nursing, Education Studies, Marketing, Technology & Logistics.

Only at University of Nottingham

Only at University of the West of Scotland

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 the West of Scotland
£15,500

University of the West of Scotland is about £17,500 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Nottingham
£30,800
University of the West of Scotland
£16,280

University of the West of Scotland is about £14,520 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 the West of Scotland

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £35,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    86%Satisfaction80%

  • Physics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    88%Satisfaction95%

  • Chemistry

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    90%Satisfaction95%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    84%Satisfaction89%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    90%SatisfactionNo data

  • Aerospace Engineering

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    87%Satisfaction100%

  • Law

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    89%SatisfactionNo data

  • General Engineering

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    93%Satisfaction92%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    95%Satisfaction91%

  • Zoology & Animal Biology

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
    82%SatisfactionNo data

  • Accounting

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    No dataSatisfaction86%

  • Social Work

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    82%Satisfaction88%

Showing the 12 largest of 16 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 the West of Scotland

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Nottingham vs University of the West of Scotland: common questions

Is University of Nottingham or University of the West of Scotland cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £33,000 a year at University of Nottingham and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £17,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,800 a year at University of Nottingham and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £14,520 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 the West of Scotland?

Both universities teach 38 subject areas: Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Physics, Childhood & Youth Studies, Politics & International Relations, Chemistry, Media & Film Studies, Business Studies, Psychology (General), Social Sciences (General), Human Geography & Environment, Mathematics and 26 more.

Is University of Nottingham or University of the West of Scotland 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 the West of Scotland. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at University of Nottingham and 80% 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 Nottingham or University of the West of Scotland offer more courses?

University of Nottingham lists 580 courses on CourseOptions and University of the West of Scotland lists 119 courses.

What can you study at University of Nottingham but not at University of the West of Scotland?

University of Nottingham teaches 60 subject areas that University of the West of Scotland does not, including Computer Science, Chemical Engineering, Philosophy, Civil Engineering, Economics, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Architecture, Biotechnology and 52 more.

What can you study at University of the West of Scotland but not at University of Nottingham?

University of the West of Scotland teaches 11 subject areas that University of Nottingham does not, including Teacher Training, Applied Computing, Business Information Systems, Computing & IT, Community & Specialist Nursing, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Journalism, Creative Arts (General) and 3 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 the West of Scotland119 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses