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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 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.

4/9

South Wales

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

5/9

West of Scotland

scored higher in 5 categories

Quick Verdict

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

University of South Wales vs University of the West of Scotland at a glance

University of South Wales and University of the West of Scotland both teach 37 subject areas, the largest being Healthcare Science, Psychology (General) and Business & Management (General). University of South Wales offers 331 courses across 63 subject areas; University of the West of Scotland offers 119 courses across 49 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,200 a year at University of South Wales and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £700 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,900 a year at University of South Wales and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £1,620 a year cheaper.

Of the 23 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of the West of Scotland is higher in 10 and University of South Wales in 8, with 5 about level. The widest gap is in Applied Computing: £30,500 three years after graduating from University of South Wales, against £22,000 from University of the West of Scotland. Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of the West of Scotland is higher in 14 and University of South Wales in 7, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#1201
QS World
—
#1201
THE World
#601
#83
Guardian UK
#115
1913
Established
1897
No
Russell Group
No
—
TEF Rating
—

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 the West of Scotland

86.7%
89%

Satisfaction

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

£27,400
£31,134.9

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.6%
81.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22%
30.3%

International

International student share

331
119

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

23
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.

South Wales

71 countries · 22% international

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

West of Scotland

33 countries · 30.3% international

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

Subjects

37 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 the West of Scotland

Also taught at both: Music, Accounting, Community & Specialist Nursing, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Forensic Science, Marketing, Education Studies, General Engineering, Health & Social Care, Mechanical Engineering, Social Sciences (General), Sociology & Criminology, Biology, Social Work, Journalism, Biomedical Sciences, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Midwifery, Politics & International Relations, Public Health & Epidemiology, Creative Arts (General), Human Geography & Environment.

Only at University of South Wales

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 South Wales
£16,200
University of the West of Scotland
£15,500

University of the West of Scotland is about £700 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of South Wales
£17,900
University of the West of Scotland
£16,280

University of the West of Scotland is about £1,620 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 the West of Scotland

  • Teacher Training

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    97%Satisfaction94%

  • Law

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    96%SatisfactionNo data

  • Aerospace Engineering

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    89%Satisfaction100%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    87%Satisfaction91%

  • Business Studies

    £19,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    91%Satisfaction75%

  • Design & Fashion

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£17,500
    88%Satisfaction91%

  • Applied Computing

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£22,000
    80%Satisfaction90%

  • Health Sciences & Paramedic Science

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    97%Satisfaction99%

  • Childhood & Youth Studies

    £18,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    93%Satisfaction92%

  • Chemistry

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    84%Satisfaction95%

  • Music

    £18,500Salary (3 years)£18,500
    71%Satisfaction90%

  • Accounting

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    90%Satisfaction86%

Showing the 12 largest of 24 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 the West of Scotland

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of South Wales vs University of the West of Scotland: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,200 a year at University of South Wales and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £700 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,900 a year at University of South Wales and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £1,620 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 the West of Scotland?

Both universities teach 37 subject areas: Healthcare Science, Psychology (General), Business & Management (General), Teacher Training, Law, Aerospace Engineering, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Business Studies, Design & Fashion, Nursing (General), Applied Computing, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science and 25 more.

Is University of South Wales or University of the West of Scotland better for Teacher Training?

Teacher Training graduates earn a median £25,000 three years after graduating from University of South Wales, and £32,000 from University of the West of Scotland. Student satisfaction with teaching is 97% at University of South Wales and 94% 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 South Wales or University of the West of Scotland offer more courses?

University of South Wales lists 331 courses on CourseOptions and University of the West of Scotland lists 119 courses.

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

University of South Wales teaches 26 subject areas that University of the West of Scotland does not, including Building & Construction, Film Production & Cinematography, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Software Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Drama & Theatre, Games Design & Computer Animation and 18 more.

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

University of the West of Scotland teaches 12 subject areas that University of South Wales does not, including Business Information Systems, Computing & IT, Applied Psychology, Physics, Zoology & Animal Biology, Adult Nursing, Cultural Studies, English Language and 4 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

U
University of South Wales331 courses · 23 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of the West of Scotland119 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses