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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

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University of Sunderland

Sunderland · Guardian UK #86

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.

8/10

Plymouth

scored higher in 8 categories

VS

2/10

Sunderland

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

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

University of Plymouth vs University of Sunderland at a glance

University of Plymouth and University of Sunderland both teach 46 subject areas, the largest being Law, Geology & Earth Sciences and Hospitality, Events & Tourism. University of Plymouth offers 310 courses across 78 subject areas; University of Sunderland offers 193 courses across 56 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,200 a year at University of Plymouth and £17,500 at University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland is about £1,700 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,500 a year at University of Plymouth and £17,000 at University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland is about £2,500 a year cheaper.

Of the 32 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Plymouth is higher in 22 and University of Sunderland in 7, with 3 about level. The widest gap is in Childhood & Youth Studies: £29,000 three years after graduating from University of Plymouth, against £18,500 from University of Sunderland. Of the 31 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Sunderland is higher in 19 and University of Plymouth in 11, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#691
QS World
—
#501
THE World
#1501
#56
Guardian UK
#86
1862
Established
1901
No
Russell Group
No
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 Sunderland

86.6%
89.8%

Satisfaction

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

£30,300
£24,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.2%
81.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

11.9%
36.5%

International

International student share

310
193

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

10
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.

Plymouth

71 countries · 11.9% international

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

Sunderland

56 countries · 36.5% international

  • 🌐Nepal29.5%
  • 🇮🇳India17.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria16.6%
  • 🇨🇳China7.3%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan6.9%

Subjects

46 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 Sunderland

Also taught at both: English Studies, Marketing, Mechanical Engineering, Media & Film Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Management, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Software Engineering, Childhood & Youth Studies, Education Studies, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Mathematics, Nursing (General), Agriculture & Land Management, Children's Nursing, Clinical & Health Psychology, Fine Art, Games Design & Computer Animation, Human Resource Management, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Midwifery, Social Work, Accounting, Applied Psychology, Economics, Mental Health Nursing, General Engineering, Music, Chemical Engineering, Medicine, Social Sciences (General).

Only at University of Plymouth

Only at University of Sunderland

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 Sunderland
£17,500

University of Sunderland is about £1,700 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Plymouth
£19,500
University of Sunderland
£17,000

University of Sunderland is about £2,500 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 Sunderland

  • Law

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£19,000
    84%Satisfaction95%

  • Hospitality, Events & Tourism

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
    83%Satisfaction93%

  • Design & Fashion

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£17,000
    77%Satisfaction90%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    83%Satisfaction92%

  • Psychology (General)

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£19,000
    84%Satisfaction88%

  • Computer Science

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    72%Satisfaction78%

  • Business Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    74%Satisfaction91%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    91%Satisfaction76%

  • Film Production & Cinematography

    £18,500Salary (3 years)£17,000
    94%Satisfaction89%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    84%Satisfaction93%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£18,500
    83%Satisfaction87%

  • Adult Nursing

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    87%Satisfaction88%

Showing the 12 largest of 34 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 Sunderland

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Plymouth vs University of Sunderland: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,200 a year at University of Plymouth and £17,500 at University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland is about £1,700 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,500 a year at University of Plymouth and £17,000 at University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland is about £2,500 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 Sunderland?

Both universities teach 46 subject areas: Law, Geology & Earth Sciences, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Design & Fashion, Business & Management (General), Psychology (General), Computer Science, Business Studies, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Film Production & Cinematography, Biomedical Sciences, Sociology & Criminology and 34 more.

Is University of Plymouth or University of Sunderland better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £21,500 three years after graduating from University of Plymouth, and £19,000 from University of Sunderland. Student satisfaction with teaching is 84% at University of Plymouth and 95% at University of Sunderland. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Plymouth lists 310 courses on CourseOptions and University of Sunderland lists 193 courses.

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

University of Plymouth teaches 32 subject areas that University of Sunderland does not, including Civil Engineering, Ecology & Conservation, Nutrition & Dietetics, Physical Geography & Climate, Dentistry, Marine Engineering & Technology, Politics & International Relations, Building & Construction and 24 more.

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

University of Sunderland teaches 10 subject areas that University of Plymouth does not, including Sport & Exercise Sciences, Journalism, Biochemistry, Health & Social Care, Performing Arts (General), Teacher Training, Applied & General Science, Healthcare Science and 2 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 Sunderland193 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses