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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 Southampton

Southampton · QS World #111

U
University of St Andrews

St Andrews · QS World #115

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.

4/11

Southampton

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

7/11

St Andrews

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

University of St Andrews leads in 7 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Southampton is ahead on ranking, Russell Group, employment.

University of Southampton vs University of St Andrews at a glance

University of Southampton and University of St Andrews both teach 44 subject areas, the largest being History, Ancient Languages and Economics. University of Southampton offers 545 courses across 91 subject areas; University of St Andrews offers 1,157 courses across 64 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,000 a year at University of Southampton and £30,160 at University of St Andrews: University of Southampton is about £4,160 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,200 a year at University of Southampton and £27,200 at University of St Andrews: University of St Andrews is about £4,000 a year cheaper.

Of the 24 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of St Andrews is higher in 17 and University of Southampton in 5, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Medicine: £48,000 three years after graduating from University of Southampton, against £35,000 from University of St Andrews. Of the 23 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of St Andrews is higher in 21 and University of Southampton in 1, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#111
QS World
#115
#129
THE World
#162
#16
Guardian UK
#3
1862
Established
1413
Yes
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 Southampton

University of St Andrews

87%
93.2%

Satisfaction

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

£37,200
£40,000

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.1%
74.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

35.1%
46.1%

International

International student share

545
1157

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

52
62

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.

Southampton

103 countries · 35.1% international

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

St Andrews

89 countries · 46.1% international

  • 🇺🇸United States42.3%
  • 🇨🇳China9%
  • 🇩🇪Germany4%
  • 🇮🇳India4%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong3.2%

Subjects

44 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 Southampton

University of St Andrews

Also taught at both: Management, Teacher Training, Psychology (General), English Literature, Sociology & Criminology, Education Studies, Environmental Sciences, Anthropology, Medicine, Statistics, Law, Physical Geography & Climate, Business Studies, Marketing, Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences, Ecology & Conservation, Human Geography & Environment, Creative Writing, Information & Library Studies, Zoology & Animal Biology, Heritage & Conservation, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Computing & IT, Humanities, Liberal Arts, Personal & Professional Development.

Only at University of Southampton

Only at University of St Andrews

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 Southampton
£26,000
University of St Andrews
£30,160

University of Southampton is about £4,160 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Southampton
£31,200
University of St Andrews
£27,200

University of St Andrews is about £4,000 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 Southampton

University of St Andrews

  • History

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£28,500
    91%Satisfaction97%

  • Ancient Languages

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    94%Satisfaction100%

  • Economics

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£39,000
    85%Satisfaction93%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    85%Satisfaction95%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £23,500Salary (3 years)No data
    87%Satisfaction95%

  • Mathematics

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£36,500
    81%Satisfaction94%

  • English Studies

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    95%Satisfaction92%

  • Computer Science

    £47,000Salary (3 years)£51,500
    80%Satisfaction93%

  • Biology

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    84%Satisfaction96%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£37,500
    80%Satisfaction84%

  • Chemistry

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    91%Satisfaction94%

  • Philosophy

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    93%Satisfaction94%

Showing the 12 largest of 25 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

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 →

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

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Southampton vs University of St Andrews: common questions

Is University of Southampton or University of St Andrews cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,000 a year at University of Southampton and £30,160 at University of St Andrews: University of Southampton is about £4,160 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,200 a year at University of Southampton and £27,200 at University of St Andrews: University of St Andrews is about £4,000 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 Southampton and University of St Andrews?

Both universities teach 44 subject areas: History, Ancient Languages, Economics, Politics & International Relations, Media & Film Studies, Mathematics, English Studies, Computer Science, Biology, Business & Management (General), Chemistry, Finance & Actuarial Science and 32 more.

Is University of Southampton or University of St Andrews better for History?

History graduates earn a median £26,500 three years after graduating from University of Southampton, and £28,500 from University of St Andrews. Student satisfaction with teaching is 91% at University of Southampton 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 Southampton or University of St Andrews offer more courses?

University of St Andrews lists 1,157 courses on CourseOptions and University of Southampton lists 545 courses.

What can you study at University of Southampton but not at University of St Andrews?

University of Southampton teaches 47 subject areas that University of St Andrews does not, including Electronic & Electrical Engineering, General Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Civil Engineering, Archaeology, Chemical Engineering, Design & Fashion and 39 more.

What can you study at University of St Andrews but not at University of Southampton?

University of St Andrews teaches 20 subject areas that University of Southampton does not, including African & Middle Eastern Studies, French, German & Scandinavian Studies, Italian, Classical Studies, History of Art & Design, Theology & Religious Studies, Eastern European Languages and 12 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of Southampton545 courses · 52 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of St Andrews1,157 courses · 62 scholarshipsBrowse Courses