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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 Portsmouth

Portsmouth · QS World #662

U
University of Southampton

Southampton · QS World #111

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 12 datapoints

We looked at 12 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

2/12

Portsmouth

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

10/12

Southampton

scored higher in 10 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Southampton leads in 10 of 12 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Portsmouth is ahead on TEF, employment.

University of Portsmouth vs University of Southampton at a glance

University of Portsmouth and University of Southampton both teach 64 subject areas, the largest being Electronic & Electrical Engineering, General Engineering and Business & Management (General). University of Portsmouth offers 446 courses across 84 subject areas; University of Southampton offers 545 courses across 91 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,900 a year at University of Portsmouth and £26,000 at University of Southampton: University of Portsmouth is about £8,100 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,600 a year at University of Portsmouth and £31,200 at University of Southampton: University of Portsmouth is about £12,600 a year cheaper.

Of the 44 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Southampton is higher in 37 and University of Portsmouth in 4, with 3 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £25,500 three years after graduating from University of Portsmouth, against £47,000 from University of Southampton. Of the 43 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Portsmouth is higher in 26 and University of Southampton in 16, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#662
QS World
#111
#401
THE World
#129
#55
Guardian UK
#16
1869
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 Portsmouth

University of Southampton

86.9%
87%

Satisfaction

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

£32,100
£37,200

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.4%
82.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

24.5%
35.1%

International

International student share

446
545

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

5
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.

Portsmouth

96 countries · 24.5% international

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

Southampton

103 countries · 35.1% international

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

Subjects

64 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 Southampton

Also taught at both: Accounting, Ancient Languages, Building & Construction, History, Marketing, Physics, Economics, English Literature, Geology & Earth Sciences, Social Policy & Public Policy, Chemical Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Mathematics, Teacher Training, Music, Games Design & Computer Animation, Psychology (General), Software Engineering, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Human Resource Management, Architecture, Counselling & Psychotherapy, English Language, Adult Nursing, Applied Computing, Biomedical Sciences, Creative Writing, Healthcare Science, Biomedical Engineering, Clinical & Health Psychology, International Development, Nursing (General), Applied Psychology, Biochemistry, Biology, Ecology & Conservation, Information Systems & Data Science, Mental Health Nursing, Operational Research, Physical Geography & Climate, Social Sciences (General), Computing & IT, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Human Geography & Environment, Pharmacology, Business Information Systems, Creative Arts (General), Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation.

Only at University of Portsmouth

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 Portsmouth
£17,900
University of Southampton
£26,000

University of Portsmouth is about £8,100 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Portsmouth
£18,600
University of Southampton
£31,200

University of Portsmouth is about £12,600 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 Portsmouth

University of Southampton

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£40,500
    84%Satisfaction89%

  • General Engineering

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£34,500
    84%Satisfaction90%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£31,500
    87%Satisfaction80%

  • Computer Science

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£47,000
    82%Satisfaction80%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    87%Satisfaction86%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£34,500
    83%Satisfaction87%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£39,500
    93%Satisfaction84%

  • Design & Fashion

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£21,500
    83%Satisfaction89%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    87%Satisfaction85%

  • Management

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£31,500
    87%Satisfaction90%

  • Business Studies

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£31,500
    85%Satisfaction66%

  • Law

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£28,500
    88%Satisfaction87%

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

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,900 a year at University of Portsmouth and £26,000 at University of Southampton: University of Portsmouth is about £8,100 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,600 a year at University of Portsmouth and £31,200 at University of Southampton: University of Portsmouth is about £12,600 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 Portsmouth and University of Southampton?

Both universities teach 64 subject areas: Electronic & Electrical Engineering, General Engineering, Business & Management (General), Computer Science, Sociology & Criminology, Mechanical Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Design & Fashion, Politics & International Relations, Management, Business Studies, Law and 52 more.

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

Electronic & Electrical Engineering graduates earn a median £33,500 three years after graduating from University of Portsmouth, and £40,500 from University of Southampton. Student satisfaction with teaching is 84% at University of Portsmouth and 89% at University of Southampton. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Southampton lists 545 courses on CourseOptions and University of Portsmouth lists 446 courses.

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

University of Portsmouth teaches 20 subject areas that University of Southampton does not, including Childhood & Youth Studies, Film Production & Cinematography, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Journalism, Dentistry, Linguistics, Social Work, Applied & General Science and 12 more.

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

University of Southampton teaches 27 subject areas that University of Portsmouth does not, including Aerospace Engineering, Archaeology, Chemistry, Marine Engineering & Technology, Philosophy, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Children's Nursing, Community & Specialist Nursing and 19 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 Southampton545 courses · 52 scholarshipsBrowse Courses