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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 South Wales

Pontypridd · QS World #1201

U
University of Southampton

Southampton · QS World #111

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 11 datapoints

We looked at 11 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

1/11

South Wales

scored higher in 1 category

VS

10/11

Southampton

scored higher in 10 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Southampton leads in 10 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of South Wales is ahead on employment.

University of South Wales vs University of Southampton at a glance

University of South Wales and University of Southampton both teach 50 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Electronic & Electrical Engineering and General Engineering. University of South Wales offers 331 courses across 63 subject areas; University of Southampton offers 545 courses across 91 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,200 a year at University of South Wales and £26,000 at University of Southampton: University of South Wales is about £9,800 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,900 a year at University of South Wales and £31,200 at University of Southampton: University of South Wales is about £13,300 a year cheaper.

Of the 30 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Southampton is higher in 29 and University of South Wales in 1. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £19,500 three years after graduating from University of South Wales, against £47,000 from University of Southampton. Of the 29 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of South Wales is higher in 18 and University of Southampton in 11.

World & National Rankings

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

#1201
QS World
#111
#1201
THE World
#129
#83
Guardian UK
#16
1913
Established
1862
No
Russell Group
Yes
—
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 South Wales

University of Southampton

86.7%
87%

Satisfaction

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

£27,400
£37,200

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.6%
82.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22%
35.1%

International

International student share

331
545

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

23
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.

South Wales

71 countries · 22% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria17.6%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh16.6%
  • 🇮🇳India16.1%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan15.7%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka6.6%
VS

Southampton

103 countries · 35.1% international

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

Subjects

50 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 South Wales

University of Southampton

Also taught at both: Building & Construction, History, Marketing, Software Engineering, Teacher Training, Music, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Business Studies, Chemistry, Accounting, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Education Studies, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Community & Specialist Nursing, Health & Social Care, Management, Politics & International Relations, Biology, Social Policy & Public Policy, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Applied Computing, Biomedical Sciences, Games Design & Computer Animation, Information Systems & Data Science, Statistics, Operational Research, Social Sciences (General), English Studies, Fine Art, Human Geography & Environment, Human Resource Management, Midwifery, Specialist Clinical Nursing, Creative Arts (General), Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation.

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 South Wales
£16,200
University of Southampton
£26,000

University of South Wales is about £9,800 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of South Wales
£17,900
University of Southampton
£31,200

University of South Wales is about £13,300 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 South Wales

University of Southampton

  • Business & Management (General)

    £19,000Salary (3 years)£31,500
    94%Satisfaction80%
  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£40,500
    94%Satisfaction89%
  • Aerospace Engineering

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    89%Satisfaction94%
  • Psychology (General)

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    90%Satisfaction89%
  • Law

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    96%Satisfaction87%
  • Mechanical Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£34,500
    90%Satisfaction87%
  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £19,000Salary (3 years)£39,500
    90%Satisfaction84%
  • Design & Fashion

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£21,500
    88%Satisfaction89%
  • Civil Engineering

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    83%Satisfaction93%
  • Media & Film Studies

    £19,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    82%Satisfaction87%
  • Computer Science

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£47,000
    90%Satisfaction80%
  • Nursing (General)

    £34,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
    83%SatisfactionNo data

Showing the 12 largest of 30 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

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

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 South Wales vs University of Southampton: common questions

Is University of South Wales or University of Southampton cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,200 a year at University of South Wales and £26,000 at University of Southampton: University of South Wales is about £9,800 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,900 a year at University of South Wales and £31,200 at University of Southampton: University of South Wales is about £13,300 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 South Wales and University of Southampton?

Both universities teach 50 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Electronic & Electrical Engineering, General Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Healthcare Science, Psychology (General), Law, Mechanical Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Design & Fashion, Civil Engineering, Media & Film Studies and 38 more.

Is University of South Wales or University of Southampton better for Business & Management (General)?

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £19,000 three years after graduating from University of South Wales, and £31,500 from University of Southampton. Student satisfaction with teaching is 94% at University of South Wales and 80% at University of Southampton. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does University of South Wales or University of Southampton offer more courses?

University of Southampton lists 545 courses on CourseOptions and University of South Wales lists 331 courses.

What can you study at University of South Wales but not at University of Southampton?

University of South Wales teaches 13 subject areas that University of Southampton does not, including Film Production & Cinematography, Childhood & Youth Studies, Forensic Science, Drama & Theatre, Complementary & Alternative Medicine, Journalism, Social Work, Animal Science and 5 more.

What can you study at University of Southampton but not at University of South Wales?

University of Southampton teaches 41 subject areas that University of South Wales does not, including Geology & Earth Sciences, Physics, Archaeology, Chemical Engineering, Ancient Languages, English Literature, Environmental Sciences, Economics and 33 more.

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