Skip to main content

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 West of Scotland

Paisley · Guardian UK #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.

9/10

Southampton

scored higher in 9 categories

VS

1/10

West of Scotland

scored higher in 1 category

Quick Verdict

University of Southampton leads in 9 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, employment, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of the West of Scotland is ahead on satisfaction.

University of Southampton vs University of the West of Scotland at a glance

University of Southampton and University of the West of Scotland both teach 43 subject areas, the largest being General Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering and Business & Management (General). University of Southampton offers 545 courses across 91 subject areas; University of the West of Scotland offers 119 courses across 49 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,000 a year at University of Southampton and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £10,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,200 a year at University of Southampton and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £14,920 a year cheaper.

Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Southampton is higher in 20 and University of the West of Scotland in 0. The widest gap is in Applied Computing: £47,000 three years after graduating from University of Southampton, against £22,000 from University of the West of Scotland. Of the 18 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of the West of Scotland is higher in 11 and University of Southampton in 6, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#111
QS World
—
#129
THE World
#601
#16
Guardian UK
#115
1862
Established
1897
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 the West of Scotland

87%
89%

Satisfaction

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

£37,200
£31,134.9

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.1%
81.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

35.1%
30.3%

International

International student share

545
119

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

West of Scotland

33 countries · 30.3% international

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

Subjects

43 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 West of Scotland

Also taught at both: Applied Computing, Marketing, Mathematics, Music, Politics & International Relations, Business Information Systems, Education Studies, Community & Specialist Nursing, Computing & IT, Health & Social Care, Healthcare Science, Psychology (General), Applied Psychology, Adult Nursing, Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Nursing (General), Social Sciences (General), Zoology & Animal Biology, English Language, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Human Geography & Environment, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Creative Arts (General), Cultural Studies, Mental Health Nursing, Midwifery, Technology & Logistics.

Only at University of Southampton

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 Southampton
£26,000
University of the West of Scotland
£15,500

University of the West of Scotland is about £10,500 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Southampton
£31,200
University of the West of Scotland
£16,280

University of the West of Scotland is about £14,920 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 West of Scotland

  • General Engineering

    £34,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    90%Satisfaction92%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £40,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    89%Satisfaction80%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £34,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    87%Satisfaction89%

  • Physics

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    87%Satisfaction95%

  • Aerospace Engineering

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    94%Satisfaction100%

  • Business Studies

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    66%Satisfaction75%

  • Chemistry

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    91%Satisfaction95%

  • Design & Fashion

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£17,500
    89%Satisfaction91%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    86%SatisfactionNo data

  • Law

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    87%SatisfactionNo data

  • Accounting

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    91%Satisfaction86%

  • Applied Computing

    £47,000Salary (3 years)£22,000
    79%Satisfaction90%

Showing the 12 largest of 22 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 the West of Scotland

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Southampton vs University of the West of Scotland: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,000 a year at University of Southampton and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £10,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,200 a year at University of Southampton and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £14,920 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 West of Scotland?

Both universities teach 43 subject areas: General Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Business & Management (General), Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Aerospace Engineering, Business Studies, Media & Film Studies, Chemistry, Design & Fashion, Sociology & Criminology, Environmental Sciences and 31 more.

Is University of Southampton or University of the West of Scotland better for General Engineering?

General Engineering graduates earn a median £34,500 three years after graduating from University of Southampton, and £26,500 from University of the West of Scotland. Student satisfaction with teaching is 90% at University of Southampton and 92% 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 Southampton or University of the West of Scotland offer more courses?

University of Southampton lists 545 courses on CourseOptions and University of the West of Scotland lists 119 courses.

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

University of Southampton teaches 48 subject areas that University of the West of Scotland does not, including Finance & Actuarial Science, Geology & Earth Sciences, Civil Engineering, Archaeology, Chemical Engineering, Computer Science, History, Ancient Languages and 40 more.

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

University of the West of Scotland teaches 6 subject areas that University of Southampton does not, including Childhood & Youth Studies, Social Work, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Journalism, Public Health & Epidemiology and Forensic Science.

Ready to explore courses?

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

U
University of Southampton545 courses · 52 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of the West of Scotland119 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses