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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 Plymouth

Plymouth · QS World #691

U
University of South Wales

Pontypridd · QS World #1201

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.

5/10

Plymouth

scored higher in 5 categories

VS

5/10

South Wales

scored higher in 5 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Plymouth and University of South Wales are evenly matched: each leads in 5 of 10 categories where both have data. University of Plymouth is ahead on ranking, established, graduate salary; University of South Wales on satisfaction, employment, international, courses, scholarship.

University of Plymouth vs University of South Wales at a glance

University of Plymouth and University of South Wales both teach 47 subject areas, the largest being Psychology (General), Business & Management (General) and Law. University of Plymouth offers 310 courses across 78 subject areas; University of South Wales offers 331 courses across 63 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,200 a year at University of Plymouth and £16,200 at University of South Wales: University of South Wales is about £3,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,500 a year at University of Plymouth and £17,900 at University of South Wales: University of South Wales is about £1,600 a year cheaper.

Of the 33 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Plymouth is higher in 27 and University of South Wales in 6. The widest gap is in Childhood & Youth Studies: £29,000 three years after graduating from University of Plymouth, against £18,500 from University of South Wales. Of the 31 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of South Wales is higher in 17 and University of Plymouth in 10, with 4 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#691
QS World
#1201
#501
THE World
#1201
#56
Guardian UK
#83
1862
Established
1913
No
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 Plymouth

University of South Wales

86.6%
86.7%

Satisfaction

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

£30,300
£27,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.2%
84.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

11.9%
22%

International

International student share

310
331

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

10
23

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

South Wales

71 countries · 22% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria17.6%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh16.6%
  • 🇮🇳India16.1%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan15.7%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka6.6%

Subjects

47 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 South Wales

Also taught at both: Mechanical Engineering, Software Engineering, Marketing, Childhood & Youth Studies, Education Studies, Management, Chemistry, Games Design & Computer Animation, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Media & Film Studies, Music, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Politics & International Relations, Accounting, English Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, History, Midwifery, Biology, Complementary & Alternative Medicine, Drama & Theatre, Human Geography & Environment, Statistics, Human Resource Management, Social Sciences (General), Social Work, Creative Arts (General), General Engineering, Specialist Clinical Nursing, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Fine Art, Medical Sciences.

Only at University of Plymouth

Only at University of South Wales

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 South Wales
£16,200

University of South Wales is about £3,000 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Plymouth
£19,500
University of South Wales
£17,900

University of South Wales is about £1,600 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 South Wales

  • Psychology (General)

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    84%Satisfaction90%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
    83%Satisfaction94%

  • Law

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£20,000
    84%Satisfaction96%

  • Design & Fashion

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    77%Satisfaction88%

  • Building & Construction

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£40,500
    90%Satisfaction88%

  • Counselling & Psychotherapy

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    91%Satisfaction98%

  • Film Production & Cinematography

    £18,500Salary (3 years)£18,000
    94%Satisfaction87%

  • Civil Engineering

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£28,500
    94%Satisfaction83%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    91%Satisfaction94%

  • Nursing (General)

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£34,500
    87%Satisfaction83%

  • Health Sciences & Paramedic Science

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    95%Satisfaction97%

  • Computer Science

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£19,500
    72%Satisfaction90%

Showing the 12 largest of 35 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 South Wales

USW Postgraduate Refugee Sanctuary Scheme

100%

Deadline: N/A

USW Postgraduate Sanctuary Scholarship 2026/2027

100%

Deadline: Jul 2026

USW Postgraduate Sanctuary Scholarship 2027/2028

100%

Deadline: Jul 2027

USW Refugee Sanctuary Scheme

100%

Deadline: N/A

Undergraduate Sanctuary Scholarship 2026/2027

100%

Deadline: Jul 2026

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Plymouth vs University of South Wales: common questions

Is University of Plymouth or University of South Wales cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,200 a year at University of Plymouth and £16,200 at University of South Wales: University of South Wales is about £3,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,500 a year at University of Plymouth and £17,900 at University of South Wales: University of South Wales is about £1,600 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 South Wales?

Both universities teach 47 subject areas: Psychology (General), Business & Management (General), Law, Design & Fashion, Building & Construction, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Film Production & Cinematography, Civil Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Nursing (General), Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Computer Science and 35 more.

Is University of Plymouth or University of South Wales better for Psychology (General)?

Psychology (General) graduates earn a median £21,500 three years after graduating from University of Plymouth, and £19,500 from University of South Wales. Student satisfaction with teaching is 84% at University of Plymouth and 90% at University of South Wales. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does University of Plymouth or University of South Wales offer more courses?

University of South Wales lists 331 courses on CourseOptions and University of Plymouth lists 310 courses.

What can you study at University of Plymouth but not at University of South Wales?

University of Plymouth teaches 31 subject areas that University of South Wales does not, including Geology & Earth Sciences, Ecology & Conservation, Adult Nursing, Nutrition & Dietetics, Physical Geography & Climate, Dentistry, Marine Engineering & Technology, Mathematics and 23 more.

What can you study at University of South Wales but not at University of Plymouth?

University of South Wales teaches 16 subject areas that University of Plymouth does not, including Healthcare Science, Aerospace Engineering, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Teacher Training, Forensic Science, Community & Specialist Nursing, Health & Social Care, Applied Computing and 8 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 South Wales331 courses · 23 scholarshipsBrowse Courses