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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 the West of Scotland

Paisley · Guardian UK #115

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 9 datapoints

We looked at 9 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

6/9

Plymouth

scored higher in 6 categories

VS

3/9

West of Scotland

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Plymouth leads in 6 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, established, employment, courses, scholarship). University of the West of Scotland is ahead on satisfaction, international, graduate salary.

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

University of Plymouth and University of the West of Scotland both teach 34 subject areas, the largest being Business Studies, Business & Management (General) and Design & Fashion. University of Plymouth offers 310 courses across 78 subject areas; University of the West of Scotland offers 119 courses across 49 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,200 a year at University of Plymouth and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £3,700 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,500 a year at University of Plymouth and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £3,220 a year cheaper.

Of the 19 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Plymouth is higher in 15 and University of the West of Scotland in 4. The widest gap is in Electronic & Electrical Engineering: £32,000 three years after graduating from University of Plymouth, against £26,500 from University of the West of Scotland. Of the 16 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of the West of Scotland is higher in 9 and University of Plymouth in 5, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#691
QS World
—
#501
THE World
#601
#56
Guardian UK
#115
1862
Established
1897
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 the West of Scotland

86.6%
89%

Satisfaction

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

£30,300
£31,134.9

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.2%
81.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

11.9%
30.3%

International

International student share

310
119

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

West of Scotland

33 countries · 30.3% international

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

Subjects

34 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 the West of Scotland

Also taught at both: Mechanical Engineering, Accounting, Applied Psychology, Childhood & Youth Studies, Environmental Sciences, Human Geography & Environment, Midwifery, Social Work, Education Studies, Marketing, Mental Health Nursing, Social Sciences (General), Zoology & Animal Biology, Creative Arts (General), Media & Film Studies, Music, Nursing (General), Technology & Logistics, Biology.

Only at University of Plymouth

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 Plymouth
£19,200
University of the West of Scotland
£15,500

University of the West of Scotland is about £3,700 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Plymouth
£19,500
University of the West of Scotland
£16,280

University of the West of Scotland is about £3,220 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 the West of Scotland

  • Business Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    74%Satisfaction75%

  • Design & Fashion

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£17,500
    77%Satisfaction91%

  • Law

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    84%SatisfactionNo data

  • Chemistry

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    97%Satisfaction95%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    91%Satisfaction80%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    83%SatisfactionNo data

  • Adult Nursing

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    87%Satisfaction87%

  • Hospitality, Events & Tourism

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

  • General Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    90%Satisfaction92%

  • Health Sciences & Paramedic Science

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    95%Satisfaction99%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    90%Satisfaction89%

  • Accounting

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    90%Satisfaction86%

Showing the 12 largest of 20 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 the West of Scotland

View all scholarships →

FAQ

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

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,200 a year at University of Plymouth and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £3,700 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,500 a year at University of Plymouth and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £3,220 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 the West of Scotland?

Both universities teach 34 subject areas: Business Studies, Business & Management (General), Design & Fashion, Psychology (General), Law, Biomedical Sciences, Chemistry, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Sociology & Criminology, Adult Nursing, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Politics & International Relations and 22 more.

Is University of Plymouth or University of the West of Scotland better for Business Studies?

Business Studies graduates earn a median £24,000 three years after graduating from University of Plymouth, and £21,000 from University of the West of Scotland. Student satisfaction with teaching is 74% at University of Plymouth and 75% 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 Plymouth or University of the West of Scotland offer more courses?

University of Plymouth lists 310 courses on CourseOptions and University of the West of Scotland lists 119 courses.

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

University of Plymouth teaches 44 subject areas that University of the West of Scotland does not, including Geology & Earth Sciences, Civil Engineering, Ecology & Conservation, Computer Science, Nutrition & Dietetics, Physical Geography & Climate, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Dentistry and 36 more.

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

University of the West of Scotland teaches 15 subject areas that University of Plymouth does not, including Teacher Training, Applied Computing, Business Information Systems, Computing & IT, Physics, Aerospace Engineering, Community & Specialist Nursing, Health & Social Care and 7 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 the West of Scotland119 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses