Ravensbourne University vs University of Greenwich: Which is Better? Complete Comparison Guide for Students (2025)
Compare Ravensbourne University and University of Greenwich for costs, rankings, student life, and employability. Complete guide for 2025 applicants.
📌 Introduction
Choosing a university in London is never easy — the city is home to some of the UK's most diverse and high-ranking institutions. For students considering South East London, two names often come up together: Ravensbourne University London and the University of Greenwich.
Both are located just minutes apart on the Greenwich Peninsula, yet they offer strikingly different student experiences. Ravensbourne is a specialist creative and digital university, focusing on design, fashion, film, and innovation, while Greenwich is a comprehensive public research university, offering a wide portfolio of subjects, from business to engineering.
This guide compares Ravensbourne and Greenwich in 2025 across all the aspects students care about most: courses, reputation, rankings, student life, costs, international support, and graduate careers. By the end, you'll know which one may be the right fit for your ambitions.
🏫 University Overviews
✅ Ravensbourne University London
Specialist institution focusing on creative and digital disciplines
Around 4,000 students — small, community-driven, with personalized teaching
State-of-the-art building next to the O2 Arena in North Greenwich
Strong industry partnerships with BBC, Apple, Vogue, Sky, and top design studios
Excellent employability in fashion, media, film, and design industries
✅ University of Greenwich
A public research university with 25,000+ students
Multiple campuses: Greenwich (main), Avery Hill, and Medway
Wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs
Known for research excellence in engineering, computing, business, and natural sciences
👉 Ravensbourne's programs are hands-on and industry-driven. Students often work on live briefs from companies like Google and Barclays, and graduates leave with professional portfolios that stand out in the creative job market.
📖 Greenwich Range
Business & Management
Law & Politics
Engineering & Computing
Maritime Studies
Natural & Life Sciences
Education & Social Sciences
👉 Greenwich offers traditional and professional fields, giving students the freedom to choose from dozens of disciplines, including pathways for academic research or professional practice.
💡 If you're focused on creative industries → Ravensbourne. If you want variety and flexibility → Greenwich.
📊 Rankings & Reputation
Ravensbourne
Not usually listed in general UK rankings because of its specialist scope
However, highly respected in creative arts and design
Alumni have won BAFTA awards, fashion accolades, and global recognition
University of Greenwich
Consistently ranked in top 90–100 UK universities (Complete University Guide 2025)
Known globally for research in computing, architecture, and business
Strong employability record with 250,000+ alumni worldwide
💡 For global rankings and recognition, Greenwich has more weight. For niche creative reputation, Ravensbourne is unmatched.
💷 Tuition Fees & Living Costs
Cost Factor
Ravensbourne
Greenwich
International Tuition
£16,000–£19,000/year
£15,000–£17,000/year
Accommodation
£650–£900/month
£650–£900/month
Utilities & Internet
£100–£150/month
£100–£150/month
Transport
£150–£200/month
£150–£200/month
Food & Lifestyle
£400–£500/month
£400–£500/month
💡 Greenwich may be slightly cheaper for international students due to more scholarships, but both share London's high living costs. Ravensbourne has extra costs for equipment, software, and creative projects.
🎉 Student Life & Campus Experience
Ravensbourne
Single modern building = everything in one place
Located next to The O2 Arena → concerts, cinemas, restaurants, and nightlife right on the doorstep
Small community → excellent networking but limited student clubs
Best for students who thrive in a creative, project-focused environment
Greenwich
Main campus is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (Old Royal Naval College)
100+ societies and sports clubs via Greenwich Students' Union
More diverse international community = broader social opportunities
Access to sports grounds, labs, libraries, and traditional university services
💡 Ravensbourne = vibrant but niche. Greenwich = historic, traditional, and socially expansive.
🌍 International Student Support
Ravensbourne
Tailored career support in creative industries
Mentoring programs with leading designers and media professionals
Smaller international intake → more personalized support
Greenwich
Welcomes 5,000+ international students annually
Dedicated international office for visas, housing, and orientation
Wide cultural and social events for global students
💡 Greenwich has scale and structure. Ravensbourne offers personal touch for creative careers.
👩🎓 Graduate Outcomes & Careers
Ravensbourne
Employability rate consistently above 90% within six months
Alumni at BBC, Sky, Apple, Vogue, and major gaming studios
Graduates often freelance or start creative businesses
Greenwich
Broad employment outcomes in business, law, engineering, computing, and sciences
Large alumni network supports international job searches
Placement opportunities with firms like IBM, Barclays, Pfizer, and NHS
💡 Ravensbourne grads excel in creative, portfolio-driven industries, while Greenwich grads benefit from large-scale employability networks across sectors.
✅ Pros & Cons
Ravensbourne
Pros:
✔ Cutting-edge creative courses
✔ Industry links with global brands
✔ Personalized learning environment
Cons:
✘ Limited course variety
✘ Smaller student community
Greenwich
Pros:
✔ Wide subject choice across disciplines
✔ Stunning historic campus
✔ Large student societies and sports opportunities
Cons:
✘ Larger classes, less individualized support
✘ Not as specialized in creative industries
🏆 Which is Better for You?
Choose Ravensbourne if:
You want a career in design, media, gaming, or fashion
You prefer a small, collaborative environment
You value hands-on projects and industry placements over rankings
Choose Greenwich if:
You want a traditional university experience with diverse subjects
You're looking for global recognition and research opportunities
You prefer a larger student community with active societies
💡 Ultimately, both are excellent, but the choice depends on specialization vs variety.
📌 Conclusion
In 2025, Ravensbourne University and the University of Greenwich stand out as two strong but different choices for students in South East London.
If you dream of entering the creative industries with a portfolio-driven, industry-connected education → Ravensbourne is the perfect choice.
If you want a comprehensive, research-active university with diverse courses, global reputation, and vibrant student life → Greenwich will be the better option.
Either way, both universities provide excellent opportunities — it all comes down to your career goals, lifestyle preferences, and academic interests.
❓ FAQs — Quick Answers
Which is cheaper for international students?
👉 Greenwich is slightly cheaper and offers more scholarships, with international tuition fees of £15,000-£17,000/year compared to Ravensbourne's £16,000-£19,000/year.
Is Ravensbourne good for postgraduate study?
👉 Yes, particularly in creative and digital innovation fields, with strong industry connections and hands-on learning approaches.
Which has better student life?
👉 Greenwich offers larger campus life with 100+ societies; Ravensbourne is more niche and industry-focused with a smaller community.
Which university has better rankings?
👉 Greenwich appears in global rankings and is consistently ranked in top 90-100 UK universities; Ravensbourne shines in creative reputation but isn't in general rankings.