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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 Oxford

Oxford · QS World #4

U
University of Plymouth

Plymouth · QS World #691

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.

9/11

Oxford

scored higher in 9 categories

VS

2/11

Plymouth

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Oxford leads in 9 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses). University of Plymouth is ahead on employment, scholarship.

University of Oxford vs University of Plymouth at a glance

University of Oxford and University of Plymouth both teach 44 subject areas, the largest being History, Childhood & Youth Studies and English Studies. University of Oxford offers 642 courses across 79 subject areas; University of Plymouth offers 310 courses across 78 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £43,600 a year at University of Oxford and £19,200 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £24,400 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £38,430 a year at University of Oxford and £19,500 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £18,930 a year cheaper.

Of the 16 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Oxford is higher in 15 and University of Plymouth in 1. The widest gap is in Law: £52,500 three years after graduating from University of Oxford, against £21,500 from University of Plymouth. Of the 14 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Oxford is higher in 9 and University of Plymouth in 4, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#4
QS World
#691
#1
THE World
#501
#1
Guardian UK
#56
1096
Established
1862
Yes
Russell Group
No
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 Oxford

University of Plymouth

92.5%
86.6%

Satisfaction

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

£50,000
£30,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

76.6%
84.2%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

37.2%
11.9%

International

International student share

642
310

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

1
10

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.

Oxford

118 countries · 37.2% international

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

Plymouth

71 countries · 11.9% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria14.6%
  • 🇨🇳China12.2%
  • 🇮🇳India11%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.7%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka3.3%

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 Oxford

University of Plymouth

Also taught at both: Design & Fashion, Mathematics, Civil Engineering, Ecology & Conservation, Finance & Actuarial Science, Music, Physical Geography & Climate, Statistics, Anthropology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Biology, Building & Construction, Human Geography & Environment, Social Work, Anatomy & Pathology, Management, Film Production & Cinematography, Social Sciences (General), Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Clinical & Health Psychology, Education Studies, Creative Arts (General), Fine Art, Geography (General), Medicine, Chemical Engineering, Media & Film Studies.

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 Oxford
£43,600
University of Plymouth
£19,200

University of Plymouth is about £24,400 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Oxford
£38,430
University of Plymouth
£19,500

University of Plymouth is about £18,930 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 Oxford

University of Plymouth

  • History

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    96%Satisfaction94%
  • English Studies

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£19,500
    97%Satisfaction94%
  • Law

    £52,500Salary (3 years)£21,500
    No dataSatisfaction84%
  • Politics & International Relations

    £38,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    89%Satisfaction86%
  • Geology & Earth Sciences

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    92%Satisfaction91%
  • General Engineering

    £40,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    84%Satisfaction90%
  • Psychology (General)

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£21,500
    94%Satisfaction84%
  • Computer Science

    £51,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    92%Satisfaction72%
  • Economics

    £46,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    93%Satisfaction91%
  • Mathematics

    £43,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    91%Satisfaction86%
  • Physical Geography & Climate

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    94%Satisfaction94%
  • Anthropology

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    88%Satisfaction100%

Showing the 12 largest of 16 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Oxford

The Rhodes Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

University of Plymouth

GREAT Scholarships

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

International Undergraduate Welcome to Plymouth Scholarship

£6,000

Deadline: N/A

Tamar Engineering Project

£4,500

Deadline: Jun 2026

International Postgraduate Welcome to Plymouth Scholarship

£4,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Oxford vs University of Plymouth: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £43,600 a year at University of Oxford and £19,200 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £24,400 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £38,430 a year at University of Oxford and £19,500 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £18,930 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 Oxford and University of Plymouth?

Both universities teach 44 subject areas: History, Childhood & Youth Studies, English Studies, Law, Politics & International Relations, Geology & Earth Sciences, Business & Management (General), General Engineering, Psychology (General), Computer Science, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science and 32 more.

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

History graduates earn a median £33,000 three years after graduating from University of Oxford, and £20,500 from University of Plymouth. Student satisfaction with teaching is 96% at University of Oxford and 94% at University of Plymouth. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Oxford lists 642 courses on CourseOptions and University of Plymouth lists 310 courses.

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

University of Oxford teaches 35 subject areas that University of Plymouth does not, including Classical Studies, Spanish & Portuguese, Eastern European Languages, German & Scandinavian Studies, French, Italian, Ancient Languages, Linguistics and 27 more.

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

University of Plymouth teaches 34 subject areas that University of Oxford does not, including Adult Nursing, Nutrition & Dietetics, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Dentistry, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Marine Engineering & Technology, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Mechanical Engineering and 26 more.

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