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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 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.

2/11

Plymouth

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

9/11

Southampton

scored higher in 9 categories

Quick Verdict

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

University of Plymouth vs University of Southampton at a glance

University of Plymouth and University of Southampton both teach 63 subject areas, the largest being Electronic & Electrical Engineering, General Engineering and Business & Management (General). University of Plymouth offers 310 courses across 78 subject areas; University of Southampton offers 545 courses across 91 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,200 a year at University of Plymouth and £26,000 at University of Southampton: University of Plymouth is about £6,800 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,500 a year at University of Plymouth and £31,200 at University of Southampton: University of Plymouth is about £11,700 a year cheaper.

Of the 43 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Southampton is higher in 41 and University of Plymouth in 1, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Games Design & Computer Animation: £27,500 three years after graduating from University of Plymouth, against £47,000 from University of Southampton. Of the 40 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Plymouth is higher in 21 and University of Southampton in 16, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#691
QS World
#111
#501
THE World
#129
#56
Guardian UK
#16
1862
Established
1862
No
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 Plymouth

University of Southampton

86.6%
87%

Satisfaction

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

£30,300
£37,200

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.2%
82.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

11.9%
35.1%

International

International student share

310
545

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

10
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.

Plymouth

71 countries · 11.9% international

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

Southampton

103 countries · 35.1% international

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

Subjects

63 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 Southampton

Also taught at both: Media & Film Studies, Business Studies, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Mathematics, Politics & International Relations, Economics, Biomedical Sciences, Marketing, Adult Nursing, Ecology & Conservation, Management, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Physical Geography & Climate, Software Engineering, Accounting, Education Studies, Children's Nursing, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Music, Statistics, Building & Construction, Clinical & Health Psychology, English Studies, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Human Geography & Environment, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Midwifery, Nursing (General), Anthropology, Biology, Biomedical Engineering, Creative Writing, Games Design & Computer Animation, Medicine, Mental Health Nursing, Zoology & Animal Biology, Architecture, Biological Sciences (General), Creative Arts (General), Fine Art, Heritage & Conservation, Human Resource Management, Technology & Logistics, Applied Psychology, Social Sciences (General), Specialist Clinical Nursing.

Only at University of Plymouth

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 Plymouth
£19,200
University of Southampton
£26,000

University of Plymouth is about £6,800 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Plymouth
£19,500
University of Southampton
£31,200

University of Plymouth is about £11,700 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 Southampton

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£40,500
    91%Satisfaction89%

  • General Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£34,500
    90%Satisfaction90%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£31,500
    83%Satisfaction80%

  • Geology & Earth Sciences

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    91%Satisfaction89%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£34,500
    90%Satisfaction87%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£39,500
    90%Satisfaction84%

  • Civil Engineering

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    94%Satisfaction93%

  • Design & Fashion

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£21,500
    77%Satisfaction89%

  • Computer Science

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£47,000
    72%Satisfaction80%

  • Law

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£28,500
    84%Satisfaction87%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    83%Satisfaction86%

  • History

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    94%Satisfaction91%

Showing the 12 largest of 44 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 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 Plymouth vs University of Southampton: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,200 a year at University of Plymouth and £26,000 at University of Southampton: University of Plymouth is about £6,800 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,500 a year at University of Plymouth and £31,200 at University of Southampton: University of Plymouth is about £11,700 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 Southampton?

Both universities teach 63 subject areas: Electronic & Electrical Engineering, General Engineering, Business & Management (General), Geology & Earth Sciences, Mechanical Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Civil Engineering, Design & Fashion, Computer Science, Law, Sociology & Criminology, History and 51 more.

Is University of Plymouth or University of Southampton better for Electronic & Electrical Engineering?

Electronic & Electrical Engineering graduates earn a median £32,000 three years after graduating from University of Plymouth, and £40,500 from University of Southampton. Student satisfaction with teaching is 91% at University of Plymouth and 89% at University of Southampton. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Southampton lists 545 courses on CourseOptions and University of Plymouth lists 310 courses.

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

University of Plymouth teaches 15 subject areas that University of Southampton does not, including Nutrition & Dietetics, Dentistry, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Film Production & Cinematography, Agriculture & Land Management, Complementary & Alternative Medicine, Medical Imaging, Optometry & Ophthalmics and 7 more.

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

University of Southampton teaches 28 subject areas that University of Plymouth does not, including Aerospace Engineering, Physics, Archaeology, Ancient Languages, English Literature, Philosophy, Social Policy & Public Policy, Healthcare Science and 20 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 Southampton545 courses · 52 scholarshipsBrowse Courses