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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 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.

9/10

Oxford

scored higher in 9 categories

VS

1/10

West of Scotland

scored higher in 1 category

Quick Verdict

University of Oxford leads in 9 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of the West of Scotland is ahead on employment.

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

University of Oxford and University of the West of Scotland both teach 27 subject areas, the largest being Childhood & Youth Studies, General Engineering and Law. University of Oxford offers 642 courses across 79 subject areas; University of the West of Scotland offers 119 courses across 49 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £43,600 a year at University of Oxford and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £28,100 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £38,430 a year at University of Oxford and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £22,150 a year cheaper.

Of the 7 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Oxford is higher in 7 and University of the West of Scotland in 0. The widest gap is in Law: £52,500 three years after graduating from University of Oxford, against £21,000 from University of the West of Scotland. Of the 6 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of the West of Scotland is higher in 5 and University of Oxford in 1.

World & National Rankings

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

#4
QS World
—
#1
THE World
#601
#1
Guardian UK
#115
1096
Established
1897
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 the West of Scotland

92.5%
89%

Satisfaction

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

£50,000
£31,134.9

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

76.6%
81.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

37.2%
30.3%

International

International student share

642
119

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

1
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.

Oxford

118 countries · 37.2% international

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

West of Scotland

33 countries · 30.3% international

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

Subjects

27 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 the West of Scotland

Also taught at both: Computing & IT, Mathematics, Psychology (General), Social Sciences (General), Health & Social Care, Public Health & Epidemiology, Human Geography & Environment, Design & Fashion, English Language, Media & Film Studies, Creative Arts (General), Education Studies.

Only at University of Oxford

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 Oxford
£43,600
University of the West of Scotland
£15,500

University of the West of Scotland is about £28,100 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Oxford
£38,430
University of the West of Scotland
£16,280

University of the West of Scotland is about £22,150 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 the West of Scotland

  • General Engineering

    £40,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    84%Satisfaction92%

  • Law

    £52,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    No dataSatisfactionNo data

  • Physics

    £43,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    94%Satisfaction95%

  • Music

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£18,500
    91%Satisfaction90%

  • Chemistry

    £43,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    85%Satisfaction95%

  • Biology

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£20,500
    94%Satisfaction99%

  • Creative Arts (General)

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£16,000
    85%Satisfaction91%

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Oxford

The Rhodes Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

University of the West of Scotland

View all scholarships →

FAQ

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

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £43,600 a year at University of Oxford and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £28,100 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £38,430 a year at University of Oxford and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £22,150 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 the West of Scotland?

Both universities teach 27 subject areas: Childhood & Youth Studies, General Engineering, Law, Physics, Politics & International Relations, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Business Studies, Music, Chemistry, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Social Work, Sociology & Criminology and 15 more.

Is University of Oxford or University of the West of Scotland better for General Engineering?

General Engineering graduates earn a median £40,500 three years after graduating from University of Oxford, and £26,500 from University of the West of Scotland. Student satisfaction with teaching is 84% at University of Oxford and 92% 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 Oxford or University of the West of Scotland offer more courses?

University of Oxford lists 642 courses on CourseOptions and University of the West of Scotland lists 119 courses.

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

University of Oxford teaches 52 subject areas that University of the West of Scotland does not, including Classical Studies, History, Spanish & Portuguese, Eastern European Languages, English Studies, German & Scandinavian Studies, French, Italian and 44 more.

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

University of the West of Scotland teaches 22 subject areas that University of Oxford does not, including Teacher Training, Applied Computing, Business Information Systems, Applied Psychology, Accounting, Aerospace Engineering, Community & Specialist Nursing, Hospitality, Events & Tourism and 14 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 the West of Scotland119 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses