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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 Southampton

Southampton · QS World #111

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

Southampton

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

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

University of Oxford vs University of Southampton at a glance

University of Oxford and University of Southampton both teach 55 subject areas, the largest being General Engineering, History and Electronic & Electrical Engineering. University of Oxford offers 642 courses across 79 subject areas; University of Southampton offers 545 courses across 91 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £43,600 a year at University of Oxford and £26,000 at University of Southampton: University of Southampton is about £17,600 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £38,430 a year at University of Oxford and £31,200 at University of Southampton: University of Southampton is about £7,230 a year cheaper.

Of the 21 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Oxford is higher in 20 and University of Southampton in 1. The widest gap is in Law: £52,500 three years after graduating from University of Oxford, against £28,500 from University of Southampton. Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Oxford is higher in 15 and University of Southampton in 5.

World & National Rankings

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

#4
QS World
#111
#1
THE World
#129
#1
Guardian UK
#16
1096
Established
1862
Yes
Russell Group
Yes
Gold
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 Oxford

University of Southampton

92.5%
87%

Satisfaction

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

£50,000
£37,200

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

76.6%
82.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

37.2%
35.1%

International

International student share

642
545

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

1
52

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

Southampton

103 countries · 35.1% international

  • 🇨🇳China63.5%
  • 🇮🇳India4.8%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia2.8%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia2.6%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.5%

Subjects

55 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 Southampton

Also taught at both: Civil Engineering, Clinical Specialities, Media & Film Studies, Music, English Literature, Mathematics, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Philosophy, Design & Fashion, Psychology (General), Business Studies, Social Policy & Public Policy, Biochemistry, Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Software Engineering, Statistics, Anthropology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Health & Social Care, Education Studies, Building & Construction, Management, Clinical & Health Psychology, Human Geography & Environment, Medicine, Pharmacology, Physical Geography & Climate, Social Sciences (General), English Language, Fine Art, Computing & IT, Ecology & Conservation, Humanities, Information & Library Studies, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Creative Arts (General), International Development.

Only at University of Oxford

Only at University of Southampton

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 Southampton
£26,000

University of Southampton is about £17,600 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Oxford
£38,430
University of Southampton
£31,200

University of Southampton is about £7,230 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 Southampton

  • General Engineering

    £40,500Salary (3 years)£34,500
    84%Satisfaction90%

  • History

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    96%Satisfaction91%

  • Physics

    £43,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    94%Satisfaction87%

  • Ancient Languages

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    85%Satisfaction94%

  • English Studies

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    97%Satisfaction95%

  • Law

    £52,500Salary (3 years)£28,500
    No dataSatisfaction87%

  • Computer Science

    £51,500Salary (3 years)£47,000
    92%Satisfaction80%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £38,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    89%Satisfaction85%

  • Economics

    £46,000Salary (3 years)£34,000
    93%Satisfaction85%

  • Geology & Earth Sciences

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    92%Satisfaction89%

  • Music

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    91%Satisfaction90%

  • Mathematics

    £43,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    91%Satisfaction81%

Showing the 12 largest of 21 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 Southampton

Horizon Europe fee waiver

100%

Deadline: N/A

Cowrie Foundation Scholarship

£8,000

Deadline: N/A

Xiamen University PhD Scholarships

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sociology Criminology International Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Southampton Ageing & Gerontology Talent Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Oxford vs University of Southampton: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £43,600 a year at University of Oxford and £26,000 at University of Southampton: University of Southampton is about £17,600 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £38,430 a year at University of Oxford and £31,200 at University of Southampton: University of Southampton is about £7,230 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 Southampton?

Both universities teach 55 subject areas: General Engineering, History, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Physics, Ancient Languages, Business & Management (General), English Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Law, Computer Science, Politics & International Relations, Archaeology and 43 more.

Is University of Oxford or University of Southampton better for General Engineering?

General Engineering graduates earn a median £40,500 three years after graduating from University of Oxford, and £34,500 from University of Southampton. Student satisfaction with teaching is 84% at University of Oxford and 90% at University of Southampton. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Oxford lists 642 courses on CourseOptions and University of Southampton lists 545 courses.

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

University of Oxford teaches 24 subject areas that University of Southampton does not, including Classical Studies, Childhood & Youth Studies, Spanish & Portuguese, Eastern European Languages, German & Scandinavian Studies, French, Italian, Linguistics and 16 more.

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

University of Southampton teaches 36 subject areas that University of Oxford does not, including Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Marine Engineering & Technology, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Marketing, Accounting, Healthcare Science and 28 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of Oxford642 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses
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University of Southampton545 courses · 52 scholarshipsBrowse Courses