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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 St Andrews

St Andrews · QS World #115

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.

1/10

Portsmouth

scored higher in 1 category

VS

9/10

St Andrews

scored higher in 9 categories

Quick Verdict

University of St Andrews leads in 9 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Portsmouth is ahead on employment.

University of Portsmouth vs University of St Andrews at a glance

University of Portsmouth and University of St Andrews both teach 35 subject areas, the largest being History, Ancient Languages and Economics. University of Portsmouth offers 446 courses across 84 subject areas; University of St Andrews offers 1,157 courses across 64 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,900 a year at University of Portsmouth and £30,160 at University of St Andrews: University of Portsmouth is about £12,260 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,600 a year at University of Portsmouth and £27,200 at University of St Andrews: University of Portsmouth is about £8,600 a year cheaper.

Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of St Andrews is higher in 19 and University of Portsmouth in 1. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £25,500 three years after graduating from University of Portsmouth, against £51,500 from University of St Andrews. Of the 18 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of St Andrews is higher in 14 and University of Portsmouth in 3, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#662
QS World
#115
#401
THE World
#162
#55
Guardian UK
#3
1869
Established
1413
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 St Andrews

86.9%
93.2%

Satisfaction

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

£32,100
£40,000

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.4%
74.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

24.5%
46.1%

International

International student share

446
1157

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

5
62

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

St Andrews

89 countries · 46.1% international

  • 🇺🇸United States42.3%
  • 🇨🇳China9%
  • 🇩🇪Germany4%
  • 🇮🇳India4%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong3.2%

Subjects

35 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 St Andrews

Also taught at both: Law, Childhood & Youth Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Marketing, Creative Writing, Physical Geography & Climate, English Literature, Geology & Earth Sciences, Physics, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Biomedical Sciences, Combined & General Studies, Ecology & Conservation, Applied & General Science, Biochemistry, Human Geography & Environment, Software Engineering, Computing & IT, Environmental Sciences, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology.

Only at University of Portsmouth

Only at University of St Andrews

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 St Andrews
£30,160

University of Portsmouth is about £12,260 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Portsmouth
£18,600
University of St Andrews
£27,200

University of Portsmouth is about £8,600 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 St Andrews

  • History

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    90%Satisfaction97%

  • Ancient Languages

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    82%Satisfaction100%

  • Economics

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£39,000
    85%Satisfaction93%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    87%Satisfaction95%

  • Computer Science

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£51,500
    82%Satisfaction93%

  • Mathematics

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£36,500
    87%Satisfaction94%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £21,500Salary (3 years)No data
    85%Satisfaction95%

  • Management

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£37,500
    87%SatisfactionNo data

  • Biology

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    98%Satisfaction96%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£34,000
    87%SatisfactionNo data

  • Psychology (General)

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    86%Satisfaction89%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£37,500
    87%Satisfaction84%

Showing the 12 largest of 21 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 St Andrews

Applied Environmental Sciences MSc Awards - Women in Mining (WIM) UK

100%

Deadline: Jun 2026

Environmental Science MSc Awards - The Cunningham Scholarship UK

100%

Deadline: Jun 2026

Masters funding in Digital Health and Care

£10,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

School of Modern Languages Masters Scholarship

100%

Deadline: May 2026

University of Jordan Postgraduate Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Portsmouth vs University of St Andrews: common questions

Is University of Portsmouth or University of St Andrews cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,900 a year at University of Portsmouth and £30,160 at University of St Andrews: University of Portsmouth is about £12,260 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,600 a year at University of Portsmouth and £27,200 at University of St Andrews: University of Portsmouth is about £8,600 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 St Andrews?

Both universities teach 35 subject areas: History, Ancient Languages, Economics, Politics & International Relations, Computer Science, Mathematics, Media & Film Studies, Management, Teacher Training, Biology, Sociology & Criminology, Education Studies and 23 more.

Is University of Portsmouth or University of St Andrews better for History?

History graduates earn a median £24,000 three years after graduating from University of Portsmouth, and £28,500 from University of St Andrews. Student satisfaction with teaching is 90% at University of Portsmouth and 97% at University of St Andrews. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does University of Portsmouth or University of St Andrews offer more courses?

University of St Andrews lists 1,157 courses on CourseOptions and University of Portsmouth lists 446 courses.

What can you study at University of Portsmouth but not at University of St Andrews?

University of Portsmouth teaches 49 subject areas that University of St Andrews does not, including Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Building & Construction, Design & Fashion, Accounting, General Engineering, Games Design & Computer Animation, Mechanical Engineering, Social Policy & Public Policy and 41 more.

What can you study at University of St Andrews but not at University of Portsmouth?

University of St Andrews teaches 29 subject areas that University of Portsmouth does not, including African & Middle Eastern Studies, French, German & Scandinavian Studies, Italian, Classical Studies, History of Art & Design, English Studies, Theology & Religious Studies and 21 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 St Andrews1,157 courses · 62 scholarshipsBrowse Courses