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.
Pontypridd · QS World #1201
Sunderland · Guardian UK #86
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.
6/9
South Wales
scored higher in 6 categories
3/9
Sunderland
scored higher in 3 categories
Quick Verdict
University of South Wales leads in 6 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, employment, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Sunderland is ahead on established, satisfaction, international.
University of South Wales vs University of Sunderland at a glance
University of South Wales and University of Sunderland both teach 39 subject areas, the largest being Law, Healthcare Science and Psychology (General). University of South Wales offers 331 courses across 63 subject areas; University of Sunderland offers 193 courses across 56 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,200 a year at University of South Wales and £17,500 at University of Sunderland: University of South Wales is about £1,300 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,900 a year at University of South Wales and £17,000 at University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland is about £900 a year cheaper.
Of the 32 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of South Wales is higher in 18 and University of Sunderland in 12, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Social Work: £32,500 three years after graduating from University of South Wales, against £24,500 from University of Sunderland. Of the 32 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Sunderland is higher in 17 and University of South Wales in 14, with 1 about level.
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 Sunderland
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%
Sunderland
56 countries · 36.5% international
- 🌐Nepal29.5%
- 🇮🇳India17.7%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria16.6%
- 🇨🇳China7.3%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan6.9%
Subjects
39 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 Sunderland
Law
15 coursesTypical fee £16,200 (UG)
12 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
Healthcare Science
23 coursesFee not available
2 coursesFee not available
Psychology (General)
20 coursesTypical fee £16,200 (UG)
5 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
Business & Management (General)
18 coursesTypical fee £16,800 (UG)
4 coursesTypical fee £16,500 (UG)
Sport & Exercise Sciences
12 coursesTypical fee £16,200 (UG)
7 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
Design & Fashion
11 coursesTypical fee £16,200 (UG)
7 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
Film Production & Cinematography
11 coursesTypical fee £16,200 (UG)
7 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
Nursing (General)
12 coursesTypical fee £16,200 (UG)
4 coursesTypical fee £16,000 (UG)
Teacher Training
11 coursesTypical fee £16,200 (UG)
3 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
Hospitality, Events & Tourism
1 courseTypical fee £15,850 (UG)
12 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
Media & Film Studies
Business Studies
Computer Science
Counselling & Psychotherapy
Electronic & Electrical Engineering
Also taught at both: Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Marketing, Software Engineering, Childhood & Youth Studies, Education Studies, Health & Social Care, Journalism, Mechanical Engineering, Music, Chemistry, Finance & Actuarial Science, Accounting, Games Design & Computer Animation, Sociology & Criminology, Fine Art, Human Resource Management, Management, Social Work, English Studies, Social Sciences (General), Biomedical Sciences, Midwifery, General Engineering, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation.
Only at University of South Wales
Only at University of Sunderland
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 Sunderland
- £17,500
University of South Wales is about £1,300 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- University of South Wales
- £17,900
- University of Sunderland
- £17,000
University of Sunderland is about £900 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 Sunderland
Law
£20,000Salary (3 years)£19,00096%Satisfaction95%Psychology (General)
£19,500Salary (3 years)£19,00090%Satisfaction88%Business & Management (General)
£19,000Salary (3 years)£20,00094%Satisfaction92%Sport & Exercise Sciences
£21,000Salary (3 years)£19,50087%Satisfaction86%Design & Fashion
£20,500Salary (3 years)£17,00088%Satisfaction90%Film Production & Cinematography
£18,000Salary (3 years)£17,00087%Satisfaction89%Nursing (General)
£34,500Salary (3 years)£29,00083%SatisfactionNo dataTeacher Training
£25,000Salary (3 years)£26,00097%Satisfaction80%Hospitality, Events & Tourism
£19,000Salary (3 years)£19,00089%Satisfaction93%Media & Film Studies
£19,000Salary (3 years)£18,00082%Satisfaction93%Business Studies
£19,000Salary (3 years)£20,00091%Satisfaction91%Computer Science
£19,500Salary (3 years)£25,50090%Satisfaction78%
Showing the 12 largest of 33 shared subjects with published outcomes.
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 Sunderland
View all scholarships →FAQ
University of South Wales vs University of Sunderland: common questions
Is University of South Wales or University of Sunderland cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,200 a year at University of South Wales and £17,500 at University of Sunderland: University of South Wales is about £1,300 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,900 a year at University of South Wales and £17,000 at University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland is about £900 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 Sunderland?
Both universities teach 39 subject areas: Law, Healthcare Science, Psychology (General), Business & Management (General), Sport & Exercise Sciences, Design & Fashion, Film Production & Cinematography, Nursing (General), Teacher Training, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Media & Film Studies, Business Studies and 27 more.
Is University of South Wales or University of Sunderland better for Law?
Law graduates earn a median £20,000 three years after graduating from University of South Wales, and £19,000 from University of Sunderland. Student satisfaction with teaching is 96% at University of South Wales and 95% at University of Sunderland. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does University of South Wales or University of Sunderland offer more courses?
University of South Wales lists 331 courses on CourseOptions and University of Sunderland lists 193 courses.
What can you study at University of South Wales but not at University of Sunderland?
University of South Wales teaches 24 subject areas that University of Sunderland does not, including Aerospace Engineering, Building & Construction, Civil Engineering, Forensic Science, Community & Specialist Nursing, Biology, Drama & Theatre, Applied Computing and 16 more.
What can you study at University of Sunderland but not at University of South Wales?
University of Sunderland teaches 17 subject areas that University of South Wales does not, including Biochemistry, Geology & Earth Sciences, Performing Arts (General), Applied Psychology, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Agriculture & Land Management, Applied & General Science, Clinical & Health Psychology and 9 more.
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