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.
Stoke-on-Trent · Guardian UK #92
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.
4/9
Staffordshire
scored higher in 4 categories
5/9
West of Scotland
scored higher in 5 categories
Quick Verdict
University of the West of Scotland leads in 5 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary). University of Staffordshire is ahead on ranking, employment, courses, scholarship.
University of Staffordshire vs University of the West of Scotland at a glance
University of Staffordshire and University of the West of Scotland both teach 31 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Design & Fashion and Law. University of Staffordshire offers 287 courses across 52 subject areas; University of the West of Scotland offers 119 courses across 49 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,090 a year at University of Staffordshire and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £1,590 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,500 a year at University of Staffordshire and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £1,220 a year cheaper.
Of the 21 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of the West of Scotland is higher in 13 and University of Staffordshire in 6, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Teacher Training: £16,500 three years after graduating from University of Staffordshire, against £32,000 from University of the West of Scotland. Of the 17 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of the West of Scotland is higher in 12 and University of Staffordshire in 2, with 3 about level.
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 Staffordshire
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.
Staffordshire
26 countries · 4.1% international
- 🇵🇰Pakistan29.8%
- 🇮🇳India19.9%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria9.2%
- 🌐Sri Lanka5.7%
- 🇧🇩Bangladesh2.8%
West of Scotland
33 countries · 30.3% international
- 🇵🇰Pakistan36.2%
- 🌐Nepal20.4%
- 🇮🇳India19.3%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria7.4%
- 🇧🇩Bangladesh5.3%
Subjects
31 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 Staffordshire
University of the West of Scotland
Business & Management (General)
23 coursesTypical fee £17,090 (UG)
2 coursesFee not available
Design & Fashion
23 coursesTypical fee £17,090 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £15,500 (UG)
Law
21 coursesTypical fee £17,090 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £14,500 (UG)
Applied Computing
Psychology (General)
15 coursesTypical fee £17,090 (UG)
1 courseTypical fee £11,750 (PG)
Teacher Training
Sport & Exercise Sciences
10 coursesTypical fee £17,090 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £18,000 (UG)
Business Studies
Sociology & Criminology
General Engineering
Applied Psychology
Health Sciences & Paramedic Science
Accounting
Biomedical Sciences
Forensic Science
Also taught at both: Aerospace Engineering, Education Studies, Health & Social Care, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Marketing, Mechanical Engineering, Media & Film Studies, Music, Adult Nursing, Childhood & Youth Studies, Social Work, Creative Arts (General), Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Mental Health Nursing, Politics & International Relations, Midwifery.
Only at University of Staffordshire
- Games Design & Computer Animation · 38
- Film Production & Cinematography · 17
- Software Engineering · 6
- Computer Science · 5
- Manufacturing & Production Engineering · 5
- Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning · 4
- Counselling & Psychotherapy · 4
- Fine Art · 4
- Clinical & Health Psychology · 3
- Children's Nursing · 2
- and 11 more
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 Staffordshire
- £17,090
- University of the West of Scotland
- £15,500
University of the West of Scotland is about £1,590 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- University of Staffordshire
- £17,500
- University of the West of Scotland
- £16,280
University of the West of Scotland is about £1,220 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 Staffordshire
University of the West of Scotland
Design & Fashion
£19,000Salary (3 years)£17,50088%Satisfaction91%Law
£21,000Salary (3 years)£21,00084%SatisfactionNo dataApplied Computing
£25,000Salary (3 years)£22,00082%Satisfaction90%Teacher Training
£16,500Salary (3 years)£32,00082%Satisfaction94%Sport & Exercise Sciences
£20,500Salary (3 years)£21,00093%Satisfaction91%Sociology & Criminology
£21,500Salary (3 years)£23,00089%SatisfactionNo dataGeneral Engineering
£25,500Salary (3 years)£26,50080%Satisfaction92%Health Sciences & Paramedic Science
£26,500Salary (3 years)£24,50079%Satisfaction99%Accounting
£20,000Salary (3 years)£21,00086%Satisfaction86%Forensic Science
£21,500Salary (3 years)£23,00088%Satisfaction95%Aerospace Engineering
£24,500Salary (3 years)£30,50068%Satisfaction100%Education Studies
£16,500Salary (3 years)No data90%Satisfaction96%
Showing the 12 largest of 22 shared subjects with published outcomes.
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveUniversity of the West of Scotland
View all scholarships →FAQ
University of Staffordshire vs University of the West of Scotland: common questions
Is University of Staffordshire or University of the West of Scotland cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,090 a year at University of Staffordshire and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £1,590 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,500 a year at University of Staffordshire and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £1,220 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 Staffordshire and University of the West of Scotland?
Both universities teach 31 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Design & Fashion, Law, Applied Computing, Psychology (General), Teacher Training, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Business Studies, Sociology & Criminology, General Engineering, Applied Psychology, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science and 19 more.
Is University of Staffordshire or University of the West of Scotland better for Design & Fashion?
Design & Fashion graduates earn a median £19,000 three years after graduating from University of Staffordshire, and £17,500 from University of the West of Scotland. Student satisfaction with teaching is 88% at University of Staffordshire and 91% 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 Staffordshire or University of the West of Scotland offer more courses?
University of Staffordshire lists 287 courses on CourseOptions and University of the West of Scotland lists 119 courses.
What can you study at University of Staffordshire but not at University of the West of Scotland?
University of Staffordshire teaches 21 subject areas that University of the West of Scotland does not, including Games Design & Computer Animation, Film Production & Cinematography, Software Engineering, Computer Science, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Fine Art and 13 more.
What can you study at University of the West of Scotland but not at University of Staffordshire?
University of the West of Scotland teaches 18 subject areas that University of Staffordshire does not, including Business Information Systems, Chemistry, Computing & IT, Physics, Social Sciences (General), Community & Specialist Nursing, Journalism, Public Health & Epidemiology and 10 more.
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