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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 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.

7/9

Portsmouth

scored higher in 7 categories

VS

2/9

West of Scotland

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Portsmouth leads in 7 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, established, employment, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of the West of Scotland is ahead on satisfaction, international.

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

University of Portsmouth and University of the West of Scotland both teach 40 subject areas, the largest being Business Studies, Sociology & Criminology and Electronic & Electrical Engineering. University of Portsmouth offers 446 courses across 84 subject areas; University of the West of Scotland offers 119 courses across 49 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,900 a year at University of Portsmouth and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £2,400 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,600 a year at University of Portsmouth and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £2,320 a year cheaper.

Of the 24 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Portsmouth is higher in 22 and University of the West of Scotland in 2. The widest gap is in Electronic & Electrical Engineering: £33,500 three years after graduating from University of Portsmouth, against £26,500 from University of the West of Scotland. Of the 23 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of the West of Scotland is higher in 14 and University of Portsmouth in 9.

World & National Rankings

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

#662
QS World
—
#401
THE World
#601
#55
Guardian UK
#115
1869
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 Portsmouth

University of the West of Scotland

86.9%
89%

Satisfaction

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

£32,100
£31,134.9

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.4%
81.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

24.5%
30.3%

International

International student share

446
119

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

5
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.

Portsmouth

96 countries · 24.5% international

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

West of Scotland

33 countries · 30.3% international

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

Subjects

40 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 the West of Scotland

Also taught at both: Mechanical Engineering, Business Information Systems, Media & Film Studies, Applied Psychology, Computing & IT, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Journalism, Social Work, English Language, Music, Psychology (General), Social Sciences (General), Mathematics, Physics, Public Health & Epidemiology, Adult Nursing, Biomedical Sciences, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Mental Health Nursing, Environmental Sciences, Nursing (General), Biology, Creative Arts (General), Healthcare Science, Human Geography & Environment.

Only at University of Portsmouth

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 Portsmouth
£17,900
University of the West of Scotland
£15,500

University of the West of Scotland is about £2,400 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Portsmouth
£18,600
University of the West of Scotland
£16,280

University of the West of Scotland is about £2,320 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 the West of Scotland

  • Business Studies

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    85%Satisfaction75%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    87%SatisfactionNo data

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    84%Satisfaction80%

  • Teacher Training

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    68%Satisfaction94%

  • General Engineering

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    84%Satisfaction92%

  • Design & Fashion

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£17,500
    83%Satisfaction91%

  • Education Studies

    £21,000Salary (3 years)No data
    89%Satisfaction96%

  • Accounting

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    93%Satisfaction86%

  • Law

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    88%SatisfactionNo data

  • Applied Computing

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£22,000
    88%Satisfaction90%

  • Childhood & Youth Studies

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    85%Satisfaction92%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    86%Satisfaction91%

Showing the 12 largest of 26 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 the West of Scotland

View all scholarships →

FAQ

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

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,900 a year at University of Portsmouth and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £2,400 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,600 a year at University of Portsmouth and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £2,320 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 the West of Scotland?

Both universities teach 40 subject areas: Business Studies, Sociology & Criminology, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Politics & International Relations, Teacher Training, General Engineering, Design & Fashion, Education Studies, Accounting, Business & Management (General), Law, Applied Computing and 28 more.

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

Business Studies graduates earn a median £27,000 three years after graduating from University of Portsmouth, and £21,000 from University of the West of Scotland. Student satisfaction with teaching is 85% at University of Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth or University of the West of Scotland offer more courses?

University of Portsmouth lists 446 courses on CourseOptions and University of the West of Scotland lists 119 courses.

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

University of Portsmouth teaches 44 subject areas that University of the West of Scotland does not, including Computer Science, Management, Building & Construction, Games Design & Computer Animation, Social Policy & Public Policy, Film Production & Cinematography, Human Resource Management, Architecture and 36 more.

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

University of the West of Scotland teaches 9 subject areas that University of Portsmouth does not, including Chemistry, Aerospace Engineering, Community & Specialist Nursing, Health & Social Care, Zoology & Animal Biology, Cultural Studies, Forensic Science, Midwifery and 1 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 the West of Scotland119 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses