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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 Cambridge

Cambridge · QS World #6

U
University of Oxford

Oxford · QS World #4

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 9 datapoints

We looked at 9 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

0/9

Cambridge

scored higher in 0 categories

VS

9/9

Oxford

scored higher in 9 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Oxford leads in 9 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Cambridge does not lead in any category where both have data.

University of Cambridge vs University of Oxford at a glance

University of Cambridge and University of Oxford both teach 63 subject areas, the largest being History, Childhood & Youth Studies and Classical Studies. University of Cambridge offers 336 courses across 79 subject areas; University of Oxford offers 642 courses across 79 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,890 a year at University of Cambridge and £43,600 at University of Oxford: University of Cambridge is about £10,710 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £41,300 a year at University of Cambridge and £38,430 at University of Oxford: University of Oxford is about £2,870 a year cheaper.

Of the 18 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Oxford is higher in 14 and University of Cambridge in 4. The widest gap is in Economics: £59,500 three years after graduating from University of Cambridge, against £46,000 from University of Oxford. Of the 16 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Oxford is higher in 9 and University of Cambridge in 7.

World & National Rankings

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

#6
QS World
#4
#3
THE World
#1
#2
Guardian UK
#1
1209
Established
1096
Yes
Russell Group
Yes
Gold
TEF Rating
Gold

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.

University of Cambridge

University of Oxford

92.1%
92.5%

Satisfaction

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

£49,800
£50,000

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

76.6%
76.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

32.2%
37.2%

International

International student share

336
642

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
1

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.

Cambridge

96 countries · 32.2% international

  • 🇨🇳China28.2%
  • 🇺🇸United States10.3%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore6.6%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5.3%
  • 🇮🇳India4.7%
VS

Oxford

118 countries · 37.2% international

  • 🇨🇳China18.2%
  • 🇺🇸United States16.8%
  • 🇩🇪Germany5.6%
  • 🇮🇳India5.2%
  • 🇨🇦Canada4.6%

Subjects

63 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 Cambridge

University of Oxford

Also taught at both: Economics, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Biomedical Sciences, Mathematics, Sociology & Criminology, Computer Science, Archaeology, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Philosophy, Biology, Business & Management (General), Music, Finance & Actuarial Science, Psychology (General), Anatomy & Pathology, Anthropology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Genetics & Genomics, Human Geography & Environment, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Materials Science, Management, Social Policy & Public Policy, Statistics, Welsh Studies, Building & Construction, Celtic Studies, Chemical Engineering, Health & Social Care, History of Art & Design, Geography (General), Geology & Earth Sciences, Media & Film Studies, Medicine, Pharmacology, Software Engineering, Business Studies, Civil Engineering, Computing & IT, Education Studies, Humanities, Information & Library Studies, Landscape Architecture & Design, American & Comparative Studies, Clinical & Health Psychology, International Development.

Only at University of Cambridge

Only at University of Oxford

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 Cambridge
£32,890
University of Oxford
£43,600

University of Cambridge is about £10,710 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Cambridge
£41,300
University of Oxford
£38,430

University of Oxford is about £2,870 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 Cambridge

University of Oxford

  • History

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    95%Satisfaction96%

  • Classical Studies

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    96%Satisfaction95%

  • English Studies

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    96%Satisfaction97%

  • General Engineering

    £39,500Salary (3 years)£40,500
    87%Satisfaction84%

  • Asian Languages & Studies

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    94%Satisfaction90%

  • Law

    £49,000Salary (3 years)£52,500
    96%SatisfactionNo data

  • Politics & International Relations

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£38,500
    No dataSatisfaction89%

  • Theology & Religious Studies

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    94%Satisfaction97%

  • Ancient Languages

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    97%Satisfaction85%

  • Linguistics

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    88%Satisfaction89%

  • Economics

    £59,500Salary (3 years)£46,000
    86%Satisfaction93%

  • Mathematics

    £44,500Salary (3 years)£43,000
    94%Satisfaction91%

Showing the 12 largest of 18 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Cambridge

View all scholarships →

University of Oxford

The Rhodes Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Cambridge vs University of Oxford: common questions

Is University of Cambridge or University of Oxford cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,890 a year at University of Cambridge and £43,600 at University of Oxford: University of Cambridge is about £10,710 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £41,300 a year at University of Cambridge and £38,430 at University of Oxford: University of Oxford is about £2,870 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 Cambridge and University of Oxford?

Both universities teach 63 subject areas: History, Childhood & Youth Studies, Classical Studies, Eastern European Languages, English Studies, General Engineering, Asian Languages & Studies, Law, Politics & International Relations, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Clinical Specialities, Physics and 51 more.

Is University of Cambridge or University of Oxford better for History?

History graduates earn a median £32,000 three years after graduating from University of Cambridge, and £33,000 from University of Oxford. Student satisfaction with teaching is 95% at University of Cambridge and 96% at University of Oxford. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does University of Cambridge or University of Oxford offer more courses?

University of Oxford lists 642 courses on CourseOptions and University of Cambridge lists 336 courses.

What can you study at University of Cambridge but not at University of Oxford?

University of Cambridge teaches 16 subject areas that University of Oxford does not, including Biological Sciences (General), Architecture, Veterinary Medicine, Creative Writing, Biotechnology, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Information Systems & Data Science, Planning & Housing and 8 more.

What can you study at University of Oxford but not at University of Cambridge?

University of Oxford teaches 16 subject areas that University of Cambridge does not, including Spanish & Portuguese, German & Scandinavian Studies, French, Italian, Social Work, Public Health & Epidemiology, Social Sciences (General), English Literature and 8 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

U
University of Cambridge336 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Oxford642 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses