Education

Comparing universities side by side

A university campus with a round pool, lawns and hills behind

What this entry covers

Once you have a shortlist of universities in different countries, putting them side by side is the quickest way to see where they differ. A side-by-side comparison page does this for tuition, entry requirements and location in one table.

What to compare

  1. Course structure: how many years, how much choice, and whether a placement year or year abroad is built in.
  2. Entry requirements for your own qualifications, including any language test scores.
  3. Total cost: tuition, accommodation, health cover and the cost of travel home.
  4. Visa rules for students, including any right to work during and after the course.
  5. Where graduates of the course go next, if the university publishes it.

Why rankings are not enough

University rankings mostly measure research output and reputation surveys. They say little about teaching on a particular course. Two universities a long way apart in a ranking can offer similar teaching in your subject, and the cheaper or closer one may suit you better.

Editor's notes

  • Read the module list for the actual course you want. Course names can hide very different content.
  • If you can, talk to a current student on the course.

Entry last checked: October 2026. Spotted something out of date? Use the contact page.