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.
Glasgow · QS World #230
Paisley · Guardian UK #115
Head-to-Head Summary
Based on 8 datapoints
We looked at 8 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.
7/8
Strathclyde
scored higher in 7 categories
1/8
West of Scotland
scored higher in 1 category
Quick Verdict
University of Strathclyde leads in 7 of 8 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, employment, graduate salary, courses). University of the West of Scotland is ahead on international.
University of Strathclyde vs University of the West of Scotland at a glance
University of Strathclyde and University of the West of Scotland both teach 29 subject areas, the largest being Teacher Training, Law and Business Studies. University of Strathclyde offers 541 courses across 67 subject areas; University of the West of Scotland offers 119 courses across 49 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,750 a year at University of Strathclyde and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £7,250 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,250 a year at University of Strathclyde and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £13,970 a year cheaper.
Of the 13 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Strathclyde is higher in 11 and University of the West of Scotland in 2. The widest gap is in Accounting: £32,000 three years after graduating from University of Strathclyde, against £21,000 from University of the West of Scotland. Of the 14 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of the West of Scotland is higher in 8 and University of Strathclyde in 5, with 1 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 Strathclyde
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.
Strathclyde
86 countries · 18.8% international
- 🇮🇳India31%
- 🇨🇳China10.5%
- 🌐Kuwait4.4%
- 🇺🇸United States4.1%
- 🌐Oman3.8%
West of Scotland
33 countries · 30.3% international
- 🇵🇰Pakistan36.2%
- 🌐Nepal20.4%
- 🇮🇳India19.3%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria7.4%
- 🇧🇩Bangladesh5.3%
Subjects
29 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 Strathclyde
University of the West of Scotland
Teacher Training
86 coursesTypical fee £20,950 (UG)
9 coursesTypical fee £15,250 (UG)
Law
30 coursesTypical fee £22,750 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £14,500 (UG)
Business Studies
11 coursesTypical fee £22,750 (UG)
9 coursesTypical fee £15,500 (UG)
Chemistry
14 coursesTypical fee £29,350 (UG)
5 coursesTypical fee £15,500 (UG)
Education Studies
16 coursesTypical fee £22,750 (UG)
1 courseTypical fee £18,000 (UG)
Physics
14 coursesTypical fee £29,350 (UG)
3 coursesTypical fee £18,000 (UG)
Childhood & Youth Studies
13 coursesFee not available
3 coursesTypical fee £15,250 (UG)
Electronic & Electrical Engineering
14 coursesTypical fee £30,950 (UG)
1 courseTypical fee £18,000 (UG)
General Engineering
10 coursesTypical fee £30,950 (UG)
5 coursesTypical fee £18,000 (UG)
Mathematics
14 coursesTypical fee £22,750 (UG)
1 courseTypical fee £18,000 (UG)
Accounting
11 coursesTypical fee £22,750 (UG)
3 coursesTypical fee £15,750 (UG)
Politics & International Relations
12 coursesTypical fee £22,750 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £13,630 (PG)
Mechanical Engineering
12 coursesTypical fee £30,950 (UG)
1 courseTypical fee £18,000 (UG)
Business & Management (General)
Marketing
10 coursesTypical fee £22,750 (UG)
1 courseTypical fee £16,280 (PG)
Also taught at both: Media & Film Studies, Psychology (General), Social Work, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Design & Fashion, Sociology & Criminology, Biomedical Sciences, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Aerospace Engineering, Public Health & Epidemiology, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Forensic Science, Human Geography & Environment, Mental Health Nursing.
Only at University of Strathclyde
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 Strathclyde
- £22,750
- University of the West of Scotland
- £15,500
University of the West of Scotland is about £7,250 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- University of Strathclyde
- £30,250
- University of the West of Scotland
- £16,280
University of the West of Scotland is about £13,970 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 Strathclyde
University of the West of Scotland
Teacher Training
£31,000Salary (3 years)£32,00093%Satisfaction94%Law
£26,500Salary (3 years)£21,00094%SatisfactionNo dataBusiness Studies
£29,000Salary (3 years)£21,00081%Satisfaction75%Chemistry
£27,500Salary (3 years)£23,00094%Satisfaction95%Education Studies
£25,500Salary (3 years)No data90%Satisfaction96%Physics
£27,500Salary (3 years)£23,00092%Satisfaction95%Electronic & Electrical Engineering
£34,000Salary (3 years)£26,50087%Satisfaction80%General Engineering
£32,000Salary (3 years)£26,50089%Satisfaction92%Accounting
£32,000Salary (3 years)£21,00093%Satisfaction86%Mechanical Engineering
£34,500Salary (3 years)£25,50076%Satisfaction89%Social Work
£29,000Salary (3 years)£30,50096%Satisfaction88%Hospitality, Events & Tourism
£24,500Salary (3 years)£19,00092%Satisfaction93%
Showing the 12 largest of 15 shared subjects with published outcomes.
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveUniversity of Strathclyde
View all scholarships →University of the West of Scotland
View all scholarships →FAQ
University of Strathclyde vs University of the West of Scotland: common questions
Is University of Strathclyde or University of the West of Scotland cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,750 a year at University of Strathclyde and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £7,250 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,250 a year at University of Strathclyde and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £13,970 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 Strathclyde and University of the West of Scotland?
Both universities teach 29 subject areas: Teacher Training, Law, Business Studies, Chemistry, Education Studies, Physics, Childhood & Youth Studies, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, General Engineering, Mathematics, Accounting, Politics & International Relations and 17 more.
Is University of Strathclyde or University of the West of Scotland better for Teacher Training?
Teacher Training graduates earn a median £31,000 three years after graduating from University of Strathclyde, and £32,000 from University of the West of Scotland. Student satisfaction with teaching is 93% at University of Strathclyde and 94% 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 Strathclyde or University of the West of Scotland offer more courses?
University of Strathclyde lists 541 courses on CourseOptions and University of the West of Scotland lists 119 courses.
What can you study at University of Strathclyde but not at University of the West of Scotland?
University of Strathclyde teaches 38 subject areas that University of the West of Scotland does not, including English Studies, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, History, Computer Science, French, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Economics and 30 more.
What can you study at University of the West of Scotland but not at University of Strathclyde?
University of the West of Scotland teaches 20 subject areas that University of Strathclyde does not, including Applied Computing, Business Information Systems, Computing & IT, Applied Psychology, Social Sciences (General), Community & Specialist Nursing, Health & Social Care, Journalism and 12 more.
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