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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 St Andrews

St Andrews · QS World #115

U
University of Sunderland

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.

8/9

St Andrews

scored higher in 8 categories

VS

1/9

Sunderland

scored higher in 1 category

Quick Verdict

University of St Andrews leads in 8 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Sunderland is ahead on employment.

University of St Andrews vs University of Sunderland at a glance

University of St Andrews and University of Sunderland both teach 24 subject areas, the largest being Economics, English Studies and Media & Film Studies. University of St Andrews offers 1,157 courses across 64 subject areas; University of Sunderland offers 193 courses across 56 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,160 a year at University of St Andrews and £17,500 at University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland is about £12,660 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £27,200 a year at University of St Andrews and £17,000 at University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland is about £10,200 a year cheaper.

Of the 8 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of St Andrews is higher in 8 and University of Sunderland in 0. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £51,500 three years after graduating from University of St Andrews, against £25,500 from University of Sunderland. Of the 9 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of St Andrews is higher in 6 and University of Sunderland in 3.

World & National Rankings

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

#115
QS World
—
#162
THE World
#1501
#3
Guardian UK
#86
1413
Established
1901
No
Russell Group
No
—
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.

University of St Andrews

University of Sunderland

93.2%
89.8%

Satisfaction

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

£40,000
£24,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

74.1%
81.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

46.1%
36.5%

International

International student share

1157
193

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

62
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.

St Andrews

89 countries · 46.1% international

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

Sunderland

56 countries · 36.5% international

  • 🌐Nepal29.5%
  • 🇮🇳India17.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria16.6%
  • 🇨🇳China7.3%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan6.9%

Subjects

24 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 St Andrews

University of Sunderland

Also taught at both: Biochemistry, Business & Management (General), Childhood & Youth Studies, Marketing, Software Engineering, Agriculture & Land Management, Sociology & Criminology, Applied & General Science, Biomedical Sciences.

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 St Andrews
£30,160
University of Sunderland
£17,500

University of Sunderland is about £12,660 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of St Andrews
£27,200
University of Sunderland
£17,000

University of Sunderland is about £10,200 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 St Andrews

University of Sunderland

  • Economics

    £39,000Salary (3 years)£18,500
    93%Satisfaction89%
  • English Studies

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£19,500
    92%Satisfaction97%
  • Media & Film Studies

    No dataSalary (3 years)£18,000
    95%Satisfaction93%
  • Computer Science

    £51,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    93%Satisfaction78%
  • Chemistry

    £30,000Salary (3 years)No data
    94%Satisfaction89%
  • Psychology (General)

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£19,000
    89%Satisfaction88%
  • Biochemistry

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    92%Satisfaction90%
  • Business & Management (General)

    £37,500Salary (3 years)£20,000
    84%Satisfaction92%
  • Sociology & Criminology

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£18,500
    No dataSatisfaction87%
  • Biomedical Sciences

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    81%Satisfaction93%

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

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 →

University of Sunderland

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of St Andrews vs University of Sunderland: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,160 a year at University of St Andrews and £17,500 at University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland is about £12,660 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £27,200 a year at University of St Andrews and £17,000 at University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland is about £10,200 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 St Andrews and University of Sunderland?

Both universities teach 24 subject areas: Economics, English Studies, Media & Film Studies, Mathematics, Computer Science, Chemistry, Teacher Training, Psychology (General), Management, Law, Geology & Earth Sciences, Education Studies and 12 more.

Is University of St Andrews or University of Sunderland better for Economics?

Economics graduates earn a median £39,000 three years after graduating from University of St Andrews, and £18,500 from University of Sunderland. Student satisfaction with teaching is 93% at University of St Andrews and 89% at University of Sunderland. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does University of St Andrews or University of Sunderland offer more courses?

University of St Andrews lists 1,157 courses on CourseOptions and University of Sunderland lists 193 courses.

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

University of St Andrews teaches 40 subject areas that University of Sunderland does not, including African & Middle Eastern Studies, French, German & Scandinavian Studies, Italian, History, Ancient Languages, Classical Studies, History of Art & Design and 32 more.

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

University of Sunderland teaches 32 subject areas that University of St Andrews does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Design & Fashion, Film Production & Cinematography, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Journalism, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Fine Art, Health & Social Care and 24 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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