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
Paisley · Guardian UK #115
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
West of Scotland
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 the West of Scotland is ahead on employment.
University of St Andrews vs University of the West of Scotland at a glance
University of St Andrews and University of the West of Scotland both teach 20 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Mathematics and Media & Film Studies. University of St Andrews offers 1,157 courses across 64 subject areas; University of the West of Scotland offers 119 courses across 49 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,160 a year at University of St Andrews and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £14,660 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £27,200 a year at University of St Andrews and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £10,920 a year cheaper.
Of the 5 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of St Andrews is higher in 5 and University of the West of Scotland in 0. The widest gap is in Sociology & Criminology: £34,000 three years after graduating from University of St Andrews, against £23,000 from University of the West of Scotland. Of the 3 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of the West of Scotland is higher in 2 and University of St Andrews in 1.
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 the West of Scotland
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%
West of Scotland
33 countries · 30.3% international
- 🇵🇰Pakistan36.2%
- 🌐Nepal20.4%
- 🇮🇳India19.3%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria7.4%
- 🇧🇩Bangladesh5.3%
Subjects
20 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 the West of Scotland
Politics & International Relations
35 coursesTypical fee £30,160 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £13,630 (PG)
Mathematics
30 coursesTypical fee £30,160 (UG)
1 courseTypical fee £18,000 (UG)
Media & Film Studies
25 coursesTypical fee £30,160 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £18,140 (PG)
Teacher Training
15 coursesFee not available
9 coursesTypical fee £15,250 (UG)
Biology
22 coursesTypical fee £30,160 (UG)
1 courseTypical fee £15,500 (UG)
Chemistry
16 coursesTypical fee £30,160 (UG)
5 coursesTypical fee £15,500 (UG)
Psychology (General)
12 coursesTypical fee £30,160 (UG)
1 courseTypical fee £11,750 (PG)
Business Studies
Education Studies
Physics
Childhood & Youth Studies
Computing & IT
Business & Management (General)
Human Geography & Environment
Sociology & Criminology
Also taught at both: Zoology & Animal Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Law, Environmental Sciences, Marketing.
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 St Andrews
- £30,160
- University of the West of Scotland
- £15,500
University of the West of Scotland is about £14,660 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- University of St Andrews
- £27,200
- University of the West of Scotland
- £16,280
University of the West of Scotland is about £10,920 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 St Andrews
University of the West of Scotland
Biology
£27,000Salary (3 years)£20,50096%Satisfaction99%Chemistry
£30,000Salary (3 years)£23,00094%Satisfaction95%Physics
£32,000Salary (3 years)£23,00098%Satisfaction95%Sociology & Criminology
£34,000Salary (3 years)£23,000No dataSatisfactionNo dataZoology & Animal Biology
£25,000Salary (3 years)£19,00096%SatisfactionNo data
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 the West of Scotland
View all scholarships →FAQ
University of St Andrews vs University of the West of Scotland: common questions
Is University of St Andrews or University of the West of Scotland cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,160 a year at University of St Andrews and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £14,660 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £27,200 a year at University of St Andrews and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £10,920 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 St Andrews and University of the West of Scotland?
Both universities teach 20 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Mathematics, Media & Film Studies, Teacher Training, Biology, Chemistry, Psychology (General), Business Studies, Education Studies, Physics, Childhood & Youth Studies, Computing & IT and 8 more.
Is University of St Andrews or University of the West of Scotland better for Biology?
Biology graduates earn a median £27,000 three years after graduating from University of St Andrews, and £20,500 from University of the West of Scotland. Student satisfaction with teaching is 96% at University of St Andrews and 99% 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 St Andrews or University of the West of Scotland offer more courses?
University of St Andrews lists 1,157 courses on CourseOptions and University of the West of Scotland lists 119 courses.
What can you study at University of St Andrews but not at University of the West of Scotland?
University of St Andrews teaches 44 subject areas that University of the West of Scotland does not, including African & Middle Eastern Studies, French, German & Scandinavian Studies, Italian, History, Ancient Languages, Classical Studies, Economics and 36 more.
What can you study at University of the West of Scotland but not at University of St Andrews?
University of the West of Scotland teaches 29 subject areas that University of St Andrews does not, including Applied Computing, Business Information Systems, General Engineering, Applied Psychology, Accounting, Social Sciences (General), Social Work, Aerospace Engineering and 21 more.
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