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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 Plymouth

Plymouth · QS World #691

U
University of Portsmouth

Portsmouth · QS World #662

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.

2/10

Plymouth

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

8/10

Portsmouth

scored higher in 8 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Portsmouth leads in 8 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary, courses). University of Plymouth is ahead on established, scholarship.

University of Plymouth vs University of Portsmouth at a glance

University of Plymouth and University of Portsmouth both teach 57 subject areas, the largest being Sociology & Criminology, Computer Science and Electronic & Electrical Engineering. University of Plymouth offers 310 courses across 78 subject areas; University of Portsmouth offers 446 courses across 84 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,200 a year at University of Plymouth and £17,900 at University of Portsmouth: University of Portsmouth is about £1,300 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,500 a year at University of Plymouth and £18,600 at University of Portsmouth: University of Portsmouth is about £900 a year cheaper.

Of the 44 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Portsmouth is higher in 31 and University of Plymouth in 9, with 4 about level. The widest gap is in Medical Imaging: £26,000 three years after graduating from University of Plymouth, against £33,500 from University of Portsmouth. Of the 41 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Portsmouth is higher in 21 and University of Plymouth in 19, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#691
QS World
#662
#501
THE World
#401
#56
Guardian UK
#55
1862
Established
1869
No
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 Plymouth

University of Portsmouth

86.6%
86.9%

Satisfaction

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

£30,300
£32,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.2%
84.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

11.9%
24.5%

International

International student share

310
446

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

10
5

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.

Plymouth

71 countries · 11.9% international

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

Portsmouth

96 countries · 24.5% international

  • 🇮🇳India22.1%
  • 🇨🇳China11.6%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria7.8%
  • 🌐Kuwait7.1%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan5.6%

Subjects

57 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 Plymouth

University of Portsmouth

Also taught at both: Accounting, General Engineering, Film Production & Cinematography, Games Design & Computer Animation, Marketing, Biomedical Sciences, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Adult Nursing, Childhood & Youth Studies, Dentistry, Ecology & Conservation, Economics, Human Resource Management, Architecture, History, Mathematics, Creative Writing, Finance & Actuarial Science, Physical Geography & Climate, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Media & Film Studies, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Environmental Sciences, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Mental Health Nursing, Social Work, Software Engineering, Human Geography & Environment, Music, Applied Psychology, Clinical & Health Psychology, Medical Imaging, Nursing (General), Social Sciences (General), Biomedical Engineering, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Creative Arts (General), Drama & Theatre, Anatomy & Pathology, Biology, Chemical Engineering.

Only at University of Plymouth

Only at University of Portsmouth

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 Plymouth
£19,200
University of Portsmouth
£17,900

University of Portsmouth is about £1,300 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Plymouth
£19,500
University of Portsmouth
£18,600

University of Portsmouth is about £900 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 Plymouth

University of Portsmouth

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    83%Satisfaction87%

  • Computer Science

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    72%Satisfaction82%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    91%Satisfaction84%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    83%Satisfaction87%

  • Design & Fashion

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£21,500
    77%Satisfaction83%

  • Management

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    No dataSatisfaction87%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    86%Satisfaction87%

  • Law

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    84%Satisfaction88%

  • Business Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    74%Satisfaction85%

  • Building & Construction

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£36,500
    90%Satisfaction89%

  • Education Studies

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    94%Satisfaction89%

  • Geology & Earth Sciences

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    91%Satisfaction91%

Showing the 12 largest of 45 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

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 →

University of Portsmouth

Portsmouth Football Club Partnership Scholarship

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

Estée Lauder Companies - Whitman Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Portsmouth Football Club Partnership Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Language Bursary

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Plymouth vs University of Portsmouth: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,200 a year at University of Plymouth and £17,900 at University of Portsmouth: University of Portsmouth is about £1,300 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,500 a year at University of Plymouth and £18,600 at University of Portsmouth: University of Portsmouth is about £900 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 Plymouth and University of Portsmouth?

Both universities teach 57 subject areas: Sociology & Criminology, Computer Science, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Business & Management (General), Design & Fashion, Management, Politics & International Relations, Law, Business Studies, Building & Construction, Education Studies, Geology & Earth Sciences and 45 more.

Is University of Plymouth or University of Portsmouth better for Sociology & Criminology?

Sociology & Criminology graduates earn a median £22,500 three years after graduating from University of Plymouth, and £24,000 from University of Portsmouth. Student satisfaction with teaching is 83% at University of Plymouth and 87% at University of Portsmouth. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Portsmouth lists 446 courses on CourseOptions and University of Plymouth lists 310 courses.

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

University of Plymouth teaches 21 subject areas that University of Portsmouth does not, including Nutrition & Dietetics, Marine Engineering & Technology, English Studies, Chemistry, Children's Nursing, Midwifery, Statistics, Agriculture & Land Management and 13 more.

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

University of Portsmouth teaches 27 subject areas that University of Plymouth does not, including Social Policy & Public Policy, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Teacher Training, Ancient Languages, English Language, English Literature, Journalism, Applied Computing and 19 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of Plymouth310 courses · 10 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of Portsmouth446 courses · 5 scholarshipsBrowse Courses