Compare any two UK universities
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Pontypridd · QS World #1201
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
South Wales
scored higher in 1 category
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 South Wales is ahead on employment.
University of South Wales vs University of St Andrews at a glance
University of South Wales and University of St Andrews both teach 24 subject areas, the largest being History, Politics & International Relations and Psychology (General). University of South Wales offers 331 courses across 63 subject areas; University of St Andrews offers 1,157 courses across 64 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,200 a year at University of South Wales and £30,160 at University of St Andrews: University of South Wales is about £13,960 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,900 a year at University of South Wales and £27,200 at University of St Andrews: University of South Wales is about £9,300 a year cheaper.
Of the 9 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of St Andrews is higher in 8 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 £51,500 from University of St Andrews. Of the 8 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of St Andrews is higher in 5 and University of South Wales in 3.
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 South Wales
University of St Andrews
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.
South Wales
71 countries · 22% international
- 🇳🇬Nigeria17.6%
- 🇧🇩Bangladesh16.6%
- 🇮🇳India16.1%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan15.7%
- 🌐Sri Lanka6.6%
St Andrews
89 countries · 46.1% international
- 🇺🇸United States42.3%
- 🇨🇳China9%
- 🇩🇪Germany4%
- 🇮🇳India4%
- 🇭🇰Hong Kong3.2%
Subjects
24 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 St Andrews
History
2 coursesTypical fee £16,500 (UG)
68 coursesTypical fee £30,160 (UG)
Politics & International Relations
1 courseTypical fee £17,900 (PG)
35 coursesTypical fee £30,160 (UG)
Psychology (General)
20 coursesTypical fee £16,200 (UG)
12 coursesTypical fee £30,160 (UG)
Media & Film Studies
6 coursesTypical fee £16,200 (UG)
25 coursesTypical fee £30,160 (UG)
English Studies
1 courseFee not available
29 coursesTypical fee £30,160 (UG)
Biology
4 coursesTypical fee £16,700 (UG)
22 coursesTypical fee £30,160 (UG)
Teacher Training
11 coursesTypical fee £16,200 (UG)
15 coursesFee not available
Business & Management (General)
18 coursesTypical fee £16,800 (UG)
3 coursesTypical fee £30,160 (UG)
Computer Science
4 coursesTypical fee £16,200 (UG)
17 coursesTypical fee £30,160 (UG)
Chemistry
3 coursesTypical fee £16,700 (UG)
16 coursesTypical fee £30,160 (UG)
Law
15 coursesTypical fee £16,200 (UG)
1 courseTypical fee £27,200 (PG)
Management
3 coursesTypical fee £16,200 (UG)
13 coursesTypical fee £30,160 (UG)
Education Studies
Childhood & Youth Studies
Finance & Actuarial Science
Also taught at both: Software Engineering, Statistics, Marketing, Sociology & Criminology, Business Studies, Biomedical Sciences, Human Geography & Environment, Animal Science, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning.
Only at University of South Wales
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 St Andrews
- £30,160
University of South Wales is about £13,960 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- University of South Wales
- £17,900
- University of St Andrews
- £27,200
University of South Wales is about £9,300 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 St Andrews
History
£19,500Salary (3 years)£28,50095%Satisfaction97%Psychology (General)
£19,500Salary (3 years)£25,50090%Satisfaction89%Media & Film Studies
£19,000Salary (3 years)No data82%Satisfaction95%Biology
£20,500Salary (3 years)£27,00091%Satisfaction96%Business & Management (General)
£19,000Salary (3 years)£37,50094%Satisfaction84%Computer Science
£19,500Salary (3 years)£51,50090%Satisfaction93%Chemistry
£23,500Salary (3 years)£30,00084%Satisfaction94%Management
£19,000Salary (3 years)£37,50094%SatisfactionNo dataSociology & Criminology
£20,500Salary (3 years)£34,00083%SatisfactionNo dataBiomedical Sciences
£28,500Salary (3 years)£27,50088%Satisfaction81%
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveUniversity 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
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
FAQ
University of South Wales vs University of St Andrews: common questions
Is University of South Wales or University of St Andrews cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,200 a year at University of South Wales and £30,160 at University of St Andrews: University of South Wales is about £13,960 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,900 a year at University of South Wales and £27,200 at University of St Andrews: University of South Wales is about £9,300 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 St Andrews?
Both universities teach 24 subject areas: History, Politics & International Relations, Psychology (General), Media & Film Studies, English Studies, Biology, Teacher Training, Business & Management (General), Computer Science, Chemistry, Law, Management and 12 more.
Is University of South Wales or University of St Andrews better for History?
History graduates earn a median £19,500 three years after graduating from University of South Wales, and £28,500 from University of St Andrews. Student satisfaction with teaching is 95% at University of South Wales 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 South Wales or University of St Andrews offer more courses?
University of St Andrews lists 1,157 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 St Andrews?
University of South Wales teaches 39 subject areas that University of St Andrews does not, including Healthcare Science, Aerospace Engineering, Nursing (General), Sport & Exercise Sciences, Building & Construction, Design & Fashion, Film Production & Cinematography, Counselling & Psychotherapy and 31 more.
What can you study at University of St Andrews but not at University of South Wales?
University of St Andrews teaches 40 subject areas that University of South Wales does not, including African & Middle Eastern Studies, French, German & Scandinavian Studies, Italian, Ancient Languages, Classical Studies, Economics, History of Art & Design and 32 more.
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