Compare any two UK universities
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Salford · QS World #1001
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.
5/10
Salford
scored higher in 5 categories
5/10
South Wales
scored higher in 5 categories
Quick Verdict
University of Salford and University of South Wales are evenly matched: each leads in 5 of 10 categories where both have data. University of Salford is ahead on ranking, established, graduate salary; University of South Wales on satisfaction, employment, international, courses, scholarship.
University of Salford vs University of South Wales at a glance
University of Salford and University of South Wales both teach 45 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Psychology (General) and Design & Fashion. University of Salford offers 305 courses across 72 subject areas; University of South Wales offers 331 courses across 63 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,040 a year at University of Salford and £16,200 at University of South Wales: University of South Wales is about £840 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,710 a year at University of Salford and £17,900 at University of South Wales, so the two cost about the same.
Of the 35 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Salford is higher in 19 and University of South Wales in 12, with 4 about level. The widest gap is in Building & Construction: £30,500 three years after graduating from University of Salford, against £40,500 from University of South Wales. Of the 34 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of South Wales is higher in 18 and University of Salford in 16.
World & National Rankings
Compare world and national league table positions, TEF ratings, and Russell Group membership.
Visual Breakdown
Key metrics at a glance
Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.
University of Salford
University of South Wales
Satisfaction
Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)
Graduate Salaries (5y)
Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation
Employment
Graduate employment rate
International
International student share
Course Counts
Number of courses offered
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.
Salford
63 countries · 19.1% international
- 🇮🇳India34.8%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria27.4%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan12.9%
- 🌐Kuwait3.7%
- 🇧🇩Bangladesh2.6%
South Wales
71 countries · 22% international
- 🇳🇬Nigeria17.6%
- 🇧🇩Bangladesh16.6%
- 🇮🇳India16.1%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan15.7%
- 🌐Sri Lanka6.6%
Subjects
45 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 Salford
University of South Wales
Business & Management (General)
31 coursesTypical fee £17,040 (UG)
18 coursesTypical fee £16,800 (UG)
Psychology (General)
7 coursesTypical fee £18,550 (UG)
20 coursesTypical fee £16,200 (UG)
Design & Fashion
14 coursesTypical fee £17,040 (UG)
11 coursesTypical fee £16,200 (UG)
Building & Construction
13 coursesTypical fee £17,040 (UG)
11 coursesTypical fee £16,200 (UG)
Film Production & Cinematography
13 coursesTypical fee £17,040 (UG)
11 coursesTypical fee £16,200 (UG)
Aerospace Engineering
7 coursesTypical fee £18,550 (UG)
13 coursesTypical fee £16,200 (UG)
Law
4 coursesTypical fee £17,040 (UG)
15 coursesTypical fee £16,200 (UG)
Sport & Exercise Sciences
7 coursesTypical fee £17,040 (UG)
12 coursesTypical fee £16,200 (UG)
Business Studies
13 coursesTypical fee £17,040 (UG)
4 coursesTypical fee £16,700 (UG)
Counselling & Psychotherapy
Nursing (General)
5 coursesTypical fee £18,550 (UG)
12 coursesTypical fee £16,200 (UG)
Media & Film Studies
Drama & Theatre
Health Sciences & Paramedic Science
Marketing
Also taught at both: Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Music, Sociology & Criminology, Biomedical Sciences, Software Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Journalism, Midwifery, Biology, Chemistry, Games Design & Computer Animation, Human Geography & Environment, Social Sciences (General), Accounting, Applied Computing, Information Systems & Data Science, Management, Politics & International Relations, Social Work, Complementary & Alternative Medicine, Fine Art, History, Human Resource Management, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Specialist Clinical Nursing, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Public Health & Epidemiology.
Only at University of Salford
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 Salford
- £17,040
- University of South Wales
- £16,200
University of South Wales is about £840 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- University of Salford
- £17,710
- University of South Wales
- £17,900
About the same.
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 Salford
University of South Wales
Business & Management (General)
£21,500Salary (3 years)£19,00074%Satisfaction94%Psychology (General)
£19,500Salary (3 years)£19,50079%Satisfaction90%Design & Fashion
£19,500Salary (3 years)£20,50090%Satisfaction88%Building & Construction
£30,500Salary (3 years)£40,50086%Satisfaction88%Film Production & Cinematography
£18,000Salary (3 years)£18,00088%Satisfaction87%Aerospace Engineering
£28,500Salary (3 years)£26,50069%Satisfaction89%Law
£20,500Salary (3 years)£20,00081%Satisfaction96%Sport & Exercise Sciences
£21,500Salary (3 years)£21,00096%Satisfaction87%Business Studies
£22,500Salary (3 years)£19,00099%Satisfaction91%Counselling & Psychotherapy
£24,500Salary (3 years)£22,50090%Satisfaction98%Nursing (General)
£30,500Salary (3 years)£34,50094%Satisfaction83%Media & Film Studies
£20,000Salary (3 years)£19,00091%Satisfaction82%
Showing the 12 largest of 35 shared subjects with published outcomes.
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveUniversity of Salford
Salford/International Nursing College Scholarships
£8,160
Deadline: N/A
Salford/EATL Data Science Scholarships
£7,100
Deadline: N/A
Global Gold Excellence Scholarship
£3,500
Deadline: N/A
Global Silver Excellence Scholarship
£3,000
Deadline: N/A
IFY Excellence Scholarship
£2,500
Deadline: N/A
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
FAQ
University of Salford vs University of South Wales: common questions
Is University of Salford or University of South Wales cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,040 a year at University of Salford and £16,200 at University of South Wales: University of South Wales is about £840 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,710 a year at University of Salford and £17,900 at University of South Wales, so the two cost about the same. 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 Salford and University of South Wales?
Both universities teach 45 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Psychology (General), Design & Fashion, Building & Construction, Film Production & Cinematography, Aerospace Engineering, Law, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Business Studies, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Nursing (General), Media & Film Studies and 33 more.
Is University of Salford or University of South Wales better for Business & Management (General)?
Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £21,500 three years after graduating from University of Salford, and £19,000 from University of South Wales. Student satisfaction with teaching is 74% at University of Salford 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 Salford or University of South Wales offer more courses?
University of South Wales lists 331 courses on CourseOptions and University of Salford lists 305 courses.
What can you study at University of Salford but not at University of South Wales?
University of Salford teaches 27 subject areas that University of South Wales does not, including Physics, Zoology & Animal Biology, Architecture, Biochemistry, Business Information Systems, Applied Psychology, Dance, Applied Biology & Human Biology and 19 more.
What can you study at University of South Wales but not at University of Salford?
University of South Wales teaches 18 subject areas that University of Salford does not, including Healthcare Science, Teacher Training, Childhood & Youth Studies, Forensic Science, Community & Specialist Nursing, Education Studies, Health & Social Care, Animal Science and 10 more.
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