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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 Salford

Salford · QS World #1001

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.

5/9

Salford

scored higher in 5 categories

VS

4/9

West of Scotland

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Salford leads in 5 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, established, employment, courses, scholarship). University of the West of Scotland is ahead on ranking, satisfaction, international, graduate salary.

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

University of Salford and University of the West of Scotland both teach 35 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Business Studies and Design & Fashion. University of Salford offers 305 courses across 72 subject areas; University of the West of Scotland offers 119 courses across 49 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,040 a year at University of Salford and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £1,540 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,710 a year at University of Salford and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £1,430 a year cheaper.

Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Salford is higher in 11 and University of the West of Scotland in 8, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Journalism: £22,500 three years after graduating from University of Salford, against £19,500 from University of the West of Scotland. Of the 16 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Salford is higher in 8 and University of the West of Scotland in 8.

World & National Rankings

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

#1001
QS World
—
#801
THE World
#601
#82
Guardian UK
#115
1896
Established
1897
No
Russell Group
No
Silver
TEF Rating
—

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 the West of Scotland

85.2%
89%

Satisfaction

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

£28,800
£31,134.9

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.5%
81.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

19.1%
30.3%

International

International student share

305
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.

Salford

63 countries · 19.1% international

  • 🇮🇳India34.8%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria27.4%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan12.9%
  • 🌐Kuwait3.7%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh2.6%
VS

West of Scotland

33 countries · 30.3% international

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

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 Salford

University of the West of Scotland

Also taught at both: Journalism, Marketing, Music, Human Geography & Environment, Law, Midwifery, Nursing (General), Politics & International Relations, Social Sciences (General), Social Work, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Accounting, Mechanical Engineering, Biology, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, Mental Health Nursing, Public Health & Epidemiology, Technology & Logistics, Adult Nursing.

Only at University of Salford

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 Salford
£17,040
University of the West of Scotland
£15,500

University of the West of Scotland is about £1,540 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Salford
£17,710
University of the West of Scotland
£16,280

University of the West of Scotland is about £1,430 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 Salford

University of the West of Scotland

  • Business Studies

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    99%Satisfaction75%

  • Design & Fashion

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£17,500
    90%Satisfaction91%

  • Business Information Systems

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£22,000
    78%Satisfaction85%

  • Applied Computing

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£22,000
    96%Satisfaction90%

  • Aerospace Engineering

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    69%Satisfaction100%

  • Physics

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    98%Satisfaction95%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £22,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    80%SatisfactionNo data

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    96%Satisfaction91%

  • Chemistry

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    89%Satisfaction95%

  • Zoology & Animal Biology

    £16,500Salary (3 years)£19,000
    89%SatisfactionNo data

  • Journalism

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    89%Satisfaction87%

  • Music

    £18,500Salary (3 years)£18,500
    85%Satisfaction90%

Showing the 12 largest of 20 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University 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

View all scholarships →

University of the West of Scotland

View all scholarships →

FAQ

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

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,040 a year at University of Salford and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £1,540 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,710 a year at University of Salford and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £1,430 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 Salford and University of the West of Scotland?

Both universities teach 35 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Business Studies, Design & Fashion, Business Information Systems, Applied Computing, Aerospace Engineering, Media & Film Studies, Physics, Sociology & Criminology, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, Chemistry and 23 more.

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

Business Studies graduates earn a median £22,500 three years after graduating from University of Salford, and £21,000 from University of the West of Scotland. Student satisfaction with teaching is 99% at University of Salford 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 Salford or University of the West of Scotland offer more courses?

University of Salford lists 305 courses on CourseOptions and University of the West of Scotland lists 119 courses.

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

University of Salford teaches 37 subject areas that University of the West of Scotland does not, including Building & Construction, Film Production & Cinematography, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Drama & Theatre, Computer Science, Architecture, Biochemistry, Civil Engineering and 29 more.

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

University of the West of Scotland teaches 14 subject areas that University of Salford does not, including Teacher Training, Computing & IT, General Engineering, Childhood & Youth Studies, Community & Specialist Nursing, Health & Social Care, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Creative Arts (General) and 6 more.

Ready to explore courses?

Browse available courses, check entry requirements, and find scholarships at each university.

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University of Salford305 courses · 5 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of the West of Scotland119 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses