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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 the Arts London

London · QS World #851

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 12 datapoints

We looked at 12 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

11/12

Southampton

scored higher in 11 categories

VS

1/12

Arts London

scored higher in 1 category

Quick Verdict

University of Southampton leads in 11 of 12 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, TEF, established, satisfaction, employment, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of the Arts London is ahead on international.

University of Southampton vs University of the Arts London at a glance

University of Southampton and University of the Arts London both teach 21 subject areas, the largest being Design & Fashion, Business & Management (General) and Media & Film Studies. University of Southampton offers 545 courses across 91 subject areas; University of the Arts London offers 183 courses across 29 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,000 a year at University of Southampton and £30,890 at University of the Arts London: University of Southampton is about £4,890 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,200 a year at University of Southampton and £30,890 at University of the Arts London: University of the Arts London is about £310 a year cheaper.

Of the 10 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Southampton is higher in 9 and University of the Arts London in 1. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £47,000 three years after graduating from University of Southampton, against £26,500 from University of the Arts London. Of the 8 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Southampton is higher in 5 and University of the Arts London in 2, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#111
QS World
#851
#129
THE World
#1501
#16
Guardian UK
#52
1862
Established
1986
Yes
Russell Group
No
Silver
TEF Rating
Bronze

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 the Arts London

87%
83%

Satisfaction

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

£37,200
£28,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.1%
80.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

35.1%
54%

International

International student share

545
183

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

52
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.

Southampton

103 countries · 35.1% international

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

Arts London

84 countries · 54% international

  • 🇨🇳China55.7%
  • 🇮🇳India6%
  • 🇺🇸United States4.4%
  • 🌐Korea (South)3.9%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong3.3%

Subjects

21 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 the Arts London

Also taught at both: Games Design & Computer Animation, Architecture, Information Systems & Data Science, Computing & IT, Creative Writing, Information & Library Studies.

Only at University of Southampton

Only at University of the Arts London

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 the Arts London
£30,890

University of Southampton is about £4,890 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Southampton
£31,200
University of the Arts London
£30,890

University of the Arts London is about £310 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 the Arts London

  • Design & Fashion

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    89%Satisfaction86%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    87%Satisfaction80%

  • Computer Science

    £47,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    80%Satisfaction80%

  • Marketing

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    88%Satisfaction79%

  • Music

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    90%Satisfaction70%

  • Management

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    90%SatisfactionNo data

  • Fine Art

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£18,500
    99%Satisfaction79%

  • Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning

    £47,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    73%SatisfactionNo data

  • Applied Computing

    £47,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    79%Satisfaction85%

  • Games Design & Computer Animation

    £47,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    76%Satisfaction80%

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 the Arts London

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Southampton vs University of the Arts London: common questions

Is University of Southampton or University of the Arts London cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,000 a year at University of Southampton and £30,890 at University of the Arts London: University of Southampton is about £4,890 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,200 a year at University of Southampton and £30,890 at University of the Arts London: University of the Arts London is about £310 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 the Arts London?

Both universities teach 21 subject areas: Design & Fashion, Business & Management (General), Media & Film Studies, Computer Science, Marketing, Music, Economics, Management, Business Studies, Fine Art, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Psychology (General) and 9 more.

Is University of Southampton or University of the Arts London better for Design & Fashion?

Design & Fashion graduates earn a median £21,500 three years after graduating from University of Southampton, and £23,500 from University of the Arts London. Student satisfaction with teaching is 89% at University of Southampton and 86% at University of the Arts London. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does University of Southampton or University of the Arts London offer more courses?

University of Southampton lists 545 courses on CourseOptions and University of the Arts London lists 183 courses.

What can you study at University of Southampton but not at University of the Arts London?

University of Southampton teaches 70 subject areas that University of the Arts London does not, including Electronic & Electrical Engineering, General Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Geology & Earth Sciences, Physics, Civil Engineering and 62 more.

What can you study at University of the Arts London but not at University of Southampton?

University of the Arts London teaches 8 subject areas that University of Southampton does not, including Film Production & Cinematography, Drama & Theatre, Journalism, Performing Arts (General), Public Relations, Crafts & Applied Arts, Hair & Beauty Sciences and Publishing.

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 the Arts London183 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses