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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.

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University of Oxford

Oxford · QS World #4

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University of St Andrews

St Andrews · QS World #115

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.

7/11

Oxford

scored higher in 7 categories

VS

4/11

St Andrews

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Oxford leads in 7 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, employment, graduate salary). University of St Andrews is ahead on satisfaction, international, courses, scholarship.

University of Oxford vs University of St Andrews at a glance

University of Oxford and University of St Andrews both teach 50 subject areas, the largest being African & Middle Eastern Studies, French and German & Scandinavian Studies. University of Oxford offers 642 courses across 79 subject areas; University of St Andrews offers 1,157 courses across 64 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £43,600 a year at University of Oxford and £30,160 at University of St Andrews: University of St Andrews is about £13,440 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £38,430 a year at University of Oxford and £27,200 at University of St Andrews: University of St Andrews is about £11,230 a year cheaper.

Of the 27 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Oxford is higher in 25 and University of St Andrews in 1, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Biochemistry: £39,500 three years after graduating from University of Oxford, against £25,000 from University of St Andrews. Of the 27 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of St Andrews is higher in 15 and University of Oxford in 9, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#4
QS World
#115
#1
THE World
#162
#1
Guardian UK
#3
1096
Established
1413
Yes
Russell Group
No
Gold
TEF Rating
—

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 St Andrews

92.5%
93.2%

Satisfaction

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

£50,000
£40,000

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

76.6%
74.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

37.2%
46.1%

International

International student share

642
1157

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

1
62

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

St Andrews

89 countries · 46.1% international

  • 🇺🇸United States42.3%
  • 🇨🇳China9%
  • 🇩🇪Germany4%
  • 🇮🇳India4%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong3.2%

Subjects

50 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 St Andrews

Also taught at both: Childhood & Youth Studies, Biology, Computer Science, Media & Film Studies, Geography (General), Philosophy, Chemistry, Asian Languages & Studies, Psychology (General), Physics, Anthropology, Law, Management, Statistics, Finance & Actuarial Science, Medicine, Biochemistry, Geology & Earth Sciences, Physical Geography & Climate, Biomedical Sciences, Business & Management (General), Sociology & Criminology, Education Studies, Materials Science, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Human Geography & Environment, English Literature, Information & Library Studies, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Ecology & Conservation, Business Studies, Computing & IT, Humanities, Software Engineering, Microbiology & Cell Biology.

Only at University of Oxford

Only at University of St Andrews

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 St Andrews
£30,160

University of St Andrews is about £13,440 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Oxford
£38,430
University of St Andrews
£27,200

University of St Andrews is about £11,230 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 St Andrews

  • African & Middle Eastern Studies

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    85%Satisfaction96%

  • French

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    96%Satisfaction95%

  • German & Scandinavian Studies

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    96%Satisfaction90%

  • History

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    96%Satisfaction97%

  • Classical Studies

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    95%Satisfaction97%

  • Italian

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    93%Satisfaction98%

  • Ancient Languages

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    85%Satisfaction100%

  • Economics

    £46,000Salary (3 years)£39,000
    93%Satisfaction93%

  • English Studies

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    97%Satisfaction92%

  • Eastern European Languages

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    96%Satisfaction92%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £38,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    89%Satisfaction95%

  • Spanish & Portuguese

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    94%Satisfaction95%

Showing the 12 largest of 27 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 St Andrews

Applied Environmental Sciences MSc Awards - Women in Mining (WIM) UK

100%

Deadline: Jun 2026

Environmental Science MSc Awards - The Cunningham Scholarship UK

100%

Deadline: Jun 2026

Masters funding in Digital Health and Care

£10,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

School of Modern Languages Masters Scholarship

100%

Deadline: May 2026

University of Jordan Postgraduate Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Oxford vs University of St Andrews: common questions

Is University of Oxford or University of St Andrews cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £43,600 a year at University of Oxford and £30,160 at University of St Andrews: University of St Andrews is about £13,440 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £38,430 a year at University of Oxford and £27,200 at University of St Andrews: University of St Andrews is about £11,230 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 St Andrews?

Both universities teach 50 subject areas: African & Middle Eastern Studies, French, German & Scandinavian Studies, History, Classical Studies, Italian, Ancient Languages, Economics, English Studies, Eastern European Languages, Politics & International Relations, Spanish & Portuguese and 38 more.

Is University of Oxford or University of St Andrews better for African & Middle Eastern Studies?

African & Middle Eastern Studies graduates earn a median £32,000 three years after graduating from University of Oxford, and £30,000 from University of St Andrews. Student satisfaction with teaching is 85% at University of Oxford and 96% at University of St Andrews. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does University of Oxford or University of St Andrews offer more courses?

University of St Andrews lists 1,157 courses on CourseOptions and University of Oxford lists 642 courses.

What can you study at University of Oxford but not at University of St Andrews?

University of Oxford teaches 29 subject areas that University of St Andrews does not, including Linguistics, General Engineering, Clinical Specialities, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Music, Archaeology, Anatomy & Pathology and 21 more.

What can you study at University of St Andrews but not at University of Oxford?

University of St Andrews teaches 14 subject areas that University of Oxford does not, including Teacher Training, Combined & General Studies, Creative Writing, Agriculture & Land Management, Zoology & Animal Biology, Animal Science, Applied & General Science, Applied Biology & Human Biology and 6 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 St Andrews1,157 courses · 62 scholarshipsBrowse Courses