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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 Sunderland

Sunderland · Guardian UK #86

U
University of the West of Scotland

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.

4/8

Sunderland

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

4/8

West of Scotland

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Sunderland and University of the West of Scotland are evenly matched: each leads in 4 of 8 categories where both have data. University of Sunderland is ahead on ranking, satisfaction, international, courses; University of the West of Scotland on ranking, established, employment, graduate salary.

University of Sunderland vs University of the West of Scotland at a glance

University of Sunderland and University of the West of Scotland both teach 32 subject areas, the largest being Business Studies, Hospitality, Events & Tourism and Law. University of Sunderland offers 193 courses across 56 subject areas; University of the West of Scotland offers 119 courses across 49 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,500 a year at University of Sunderland and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £2,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,000 a year at University of Sunderland and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £720 a year cheaper.

Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of the West of Scotland is higher in 14 and University of Sunderland in 4, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Health & Social Care: £18,500 three years after graduating from University of Sunderland, against £26,000 from University of the West of Scotland. Of the 19 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Sunderland is higher in 9 and University of the West of Scotland in 9, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
—
#1501
THE World
#601
#86
Guardian UK
#115
1901
Established
1897
No
Russell Group
No
Silver
TEF Rating
—

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

University of Sunderland

University of the West of Scotland

89.8%
89%

Satisfaction

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

£24,500
£31,134.9

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.4%
81.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

36.5%
30.3%

International

International student share

193
119

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
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.

Sunderland

56 countries · 36.5% international

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

West of Scotland

33 countries · 30.3% international

  • 🇵🇰Pakistan36.2%
  • 🌐Nepal20.4%
  • 🇮🇳India19.3%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria7.4%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh5.3%

Subjects

32 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 Sunderland

University of the West of Scotland

Also taught at both: Marketing, Psychology (General), Social Work, Accounting, Nursing (General), Education Studies, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Mechanical Engineering, Music, Social Sciences (General), Sociology & Criminology, Healthcare Science, Adult Nursing, Biomedical Sciences, Mathematics, Mental Health Nursing, Midwifery.

Only at University of Sunderland

Only at University of the West of Scotland

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 Sunderland
£17,500
University of the West of Scotland
£15,500

University of the West of Scotland is about £2,000 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Sunderland
£17,000
University of the West of Scotland
£16,280

University of the West of Scotland is about £720 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 Sunderland

University of the West of Scotland

  • Business Studies

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    91%Satisfaction75%

  • Hospitality, Events & Tourism

    £19,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
    93%Satisfaction93%

  • Law

    £19,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    95%SatisfactionNo data

  • Teacher Training

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    80%Satisfaction94%

  • Chemistry

    No dataSalary (3 years)£23,000
    89%Satisfaction95%

  • Design & Fashion

    £17,000Salary (3 years)£17,500
    90%Satisfaction91%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    86%Satisfaction91%

  • Journalism

    £18,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    98%Satisfaction87%

  • Childhood & Youth Studies

    £18,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    100%Satisfaction92%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    76%Satisfaction80%

  • Health & Social Care

    £18,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    96%Satisfaction90%

  • Social Work

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    90%Satisfaction88%

Showing the 12 largest of 22 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Sunderland

View all scholarships →

University of the West of Scotland

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Sunderland vs University of the West of Scotland: common questions

Is University of Sunderland or University of the West of Scotland cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,500 a year at University of Sunderland and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £2,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,000 a year at University of Sunderland and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £720 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 Sunderland and University of the West of Scotland?

Both universities teach 32 subject areas: Business Studies, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Law, Teacher Training, Chemistry, Design & Fashion, Media & Film Studies, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Journalism, Applied Psychology, Childhood & Youth Studies, Business & Management (General) and 20 more.

Is University of Sunderland or University of the West of Scotland better for Business Studies?

Business Studies graduates earn a median £20,000 three years after graduating from University of Sunderland, and £21,000 from University of the West of Scotland. Student satisfaction with teaching is 91% at University of Sunderland and 75% 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 Sunderland or University of the West of Scotland offer more courses?

University of Sunderland lists 193 courses on CourseOptions and University of the West of Scotland lists 119 courses.

What can you study at University of Sunderland but not at University of the West of Scotland?

University of Sunderland teaches 24 subject areas that University of the West of Scotland does not, including Computer Science, Film Production & Cinematography, Biochemistry, Finance & Actuarial Science, Fine Art, Geology & Earth Sciences, Performing Arts (General), Software Engineering and 16 more.

What can you study at University of the West of Scotland but not at University of Sunderland?

University of the West of Scotland teaches 17 subject areas that University of Sunderland does not, including Applied Computing, Business Information Systems, Computing & IT, Physics, Aerospace Engineering, Community & Specialist Nursing, Politics & International Relations, Public Health & Epidemiology and 9 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of Sunderland193 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of the West of Scotland119 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses