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.
St Andrews · QS World #115
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
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.
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
Satisfaction
Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)
Graduate Salaries (5y)
Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation
Employment
Graduate employment rate
International
International student share
Course Counts
Number of courses offered
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%
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
Economics
46 coursesTypical fee £30,160 (UG)
1 courseFee not available
English Studies
29 coursesTypical fee £30,160 (UG)
3 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
Media & Film Studies
25 coursesTypical fee £30,160 (UG)
7 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
Mathematics
30 coursesTypical fee £30,160 (UG)
1 courseTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
Computer Science
17 coursesTypical fee £30,160 (UG)
7 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
Chemistry
16 coursesTypical fee £30,160 (UG)
4 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
Teacher Training
15 coursesFee not available
3 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
Psychology (General)
12 coursesTypical fee £30,160 (UG)
5 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
Management
13 coursesTypical fee £30,160 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £17,000 (PG)
Law
1 courseTypical fee £27,200 (PG)
12 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
Geology & Earth Sciences
Education Studies
Finance & Actuarial Science
Medicine
Business Studies
Also taught at both: Biochemistry, Business & Management (General), Childhood & Youth Studies, Marketing, Software Engineering, Agriculture & Land Management, Sociology & Criminology, Applied & General Science, Biomedical Sciences.
Only at University of St Andrews
Only at University of Sunderland
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)£18,50093%Satisfaction89%English Studies
£26,000Salary (3 years)£19,50092%Satisfaction97%Media & Film Studies
No dataSalary (3 years)£18,00095%Satisfaction93%Computer Science
£51,500Salary (3 years)£25,50093%Satisfaction78%Chemistry
£30,000Salary (3 years)No data94%Satisfaction89%Psychology (General)
£25,500Salary (3 years)£19,00089%Satisfaction88%Biochemistry
£25,000Salary (3 years)£22,50092%Satisfaction90%Business & Management (General)
£37,500Salary (3 years)£20,00084%Satisfaction92%Sociology & Criminology
£34,000Salary (3 years)£18,500No dataSatisfaction87%Biomedical Sciences
£27,500Salary (3 years)£26,00081%Satisfaction93%
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveUniversity 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
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.
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