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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 Portsmouth

Portsmouth · QS World #662

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.

8/10

Portsmouth

scored higher in 8 categories

VS

2/10

South Wales

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

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

University of Portsmouth vs University of South Wales at a glance

University of Portsmouth and University of South Wales both teach 47 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Law and Building & Construction. University of Portsmouth offers 446 courses across 84 subject areas; University of South Wales offers 331 courses across 63 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,900 a year at University of Portsmouth and £16,200 at University of South Wales: University of South Wales is about £1,700 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,600 a year at University of Portsmouth and £17,900 at University of South Wales: University of South Wales is about £700 a year cheaper.

Of the 36 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Portsmouth is higher in 31 and University of South Wales in 5. The widest gap is in Software Engineering: £33,500 three years after graduating from University of Portsmouth, against £19,500 from University of South Wales. Of the 36 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of South Wales is higher in 20 and University of Portsmouth in 16.

World & National Rankings

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

#662
QS World
#1201
#401
THE World
#1201
#55
Guardian UK
#83
1869
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 Portsmouth

University of South Wales

86.9%
86.7%

Satisfaction

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

£32,100
£27,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.4%
84.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

24.5%
22%

International

International student share

446
331

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

5
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.

Portsmouth

96 countries · 24.5% international

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

University of South Wales

Also taught at both: Politics & International Relations, Accounting, Marketing, Childhood & Youth Studies, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Mechanical Engineering, Nursing (General), Games Design & Computer Animation, Civil Engineering, General Engineering, Media & Film Studies, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Human Resource Management, Music, Social Policy & Public Policy, Software Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Applied Computing, History, Journalism, Drama & Theatre, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Social Sciences (General), Social Work, Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Information Systems & Data Science, Public Health & Epidemiology, Creative Arts (General), Human Geography & Environment, Operational Research, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation.

Only at University of Portsmouth

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 Portsmouth
£17,900
University of South Wales
£16,200

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

Postgraduate

University of Portsmouth
£18,600
University of South Wales
£17,900

University of South Wales is about £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 Portsmouth

University of South Wales

  • Business & Management (General)

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£19,000
    87%Satisfaction94%

  • Law

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£20,000
    88%Satisfaction96%

  • Building & Construction

    £36,500Salary (3 years)£40,500
    89%Satisfaction88%

  • Psychology (General)

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    86%Satisfaction90%

  • Design & Fashion

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£20,500
    83%Satisfaction88%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    87%Satisfaction83%

  • Computer Science

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    82%Satisfaction90%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    84%Satisfaction94%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    86%Satisfaction87%

  • Management

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£19,000
    87%Satisfaction94%

  • Teacher Training

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    68%Satisfaction97%

  • Education Studies

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£18,500
    89%Satisfaction92%

Showing the 12 largest of 36 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

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 →

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 Portsmouth vs University of South Wales: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,900 a year at University of Portsmouth and £16,200 at University of South Wales: University of South Wales is about £1,700 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,600 a year at University of Portsmouth and £17,900 at University of South Wales: University of South Wales is about £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 Portsmouth and University of South Wales?

Both universities teach 47 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Law, Building & Construction, Psychology (General), Design & Fashion, Healthcare Science, Sociology & Criminology, Computer Science, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Management, Teacher Training and 35 more.

Is University of Portsmouth or University of South Wales better for Business & Management (General)?

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £26,500 three years after graduating from University of Portsmouth, and £19,000 from University of South Wales. Student satisfaction with teaching is 87% at University of Portsmouth and 94% at University of South Wales. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Portsmouth lists 446 courses on CourseOptions and University of South Wales lists 331 courses.

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

University of Portsmouth teaches 37 subject areas that University of South Wales does not, including Architecture, Economics, Ancient Languages, Creative Writing, English Language, English Literature, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Dentistry and 29 more.

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

University of South Wales teaches 16 subject areas that University of Portsmouth does not, including Aerospace Engineering, Forensic Science, Community & Specialist Nursing, Health & Social Care, Chemistry, Complementary & Alternative Medicine, Midwifery, Specialist Clinical Nursing 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 Portsmouth446 courses · 5 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of South Wales331 courses · 23 scholarshipsBrowse Courses