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.
Dundee · Guardian UK #55
Birmingham
Head-to-Head Summary
Based on 7 datapoints
We looked at 7 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.
3/7
Abertay
scored higher in 3 categories
4/7
University College Birmingham
scored higher in 4 categories
Quick Verdict
University College Birmingham leads in 4 of 7 categories where both have data (satisfaction, international, courses, scholarship). Abertay University is ahead on established, employment, graduate salary.
Abertay University vs University College Birmingham at a glance
Abertay University and University College Birmingham both teach 19 subject areas, the largest being Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Sport & Exercise Sciences and Business & Management (General). Abertay University offers 82 courses across 31 subject areas; University College Birmingham offers 115 courses across 36 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,950 a year at Abertay University and £13,500 at University College Birmingham: University College Birmingham is about £3,450 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,950 a year at Abertay University and £17,000 at University College Birmingham: University College Birmingham is about £1,950 a year cheaper.
Of the 5 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Abertay University is higher in 4 and University College Birmingham in 0, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Food Science: £28,000 three years after graduating from Abertay University, against £23,500 from University College Birmingham. Of the 7 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University College Birmingham is higher in 6 and Abertay University in 1.
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.
Abertay University
University College Birmingham
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.
Abertay
29 countries · 9.3% international
- 🇫🇷France28%
- 🇮🇳India16.1%
- 🇺🇸United States8.6%
- 🇨🇳China3.2%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria3.2%
University College Birmingham
26 countries · 47% international
- 🌐Nepal48.9%
- 🇮🇳India24.7%
- 🇨🇳China11.5%
- 🇧🇩Bangladesh3.8%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan3.3%
Subjects
19 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.
Abertay University
University College Birmingham
Hospitality, Events & Tourism
1 courseTypical fee £16,950 (UG)
15 coursesTypical fee £13,500 (UG)
Sport & Exercise Sciences
Business & Management (General)
Food Science
Building & Construction
Marketing
Civil Engineering
Sociology & Criminology
Finance & Actuarial Science
Psychology (General)
Computer Science
Applied Psychology
Clinical & Health Psychology
Developmental & Educational Psychology
Nutrition & Dietetics
Also taught at both: Politics & International Relations, Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Mental Health Nursing.
Only at Abertay University
Only at University College Birmingham
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
- Abertay University
- £16,950
- University College Birmingham
- £13,500
University College Birmingham is about £3,450 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Abertay University
- £18,950
- University College Birmingham
- £17,000
University College Birmingham is about £1,950 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.
Abertay University
University College Birmingham
Hospitality, Events & Tourism
£22,500Salary (3 years)£20,00083%Satisfaction93%Sport & Exercise Sciences
£20,500Salary (3 years)£20,50092%Satisfaction96%Business & Management (General)
£22,500Salary (3 years)£20,00064%Satisfaction93%Food Science
£28,000Salary (3 years)£23,50089%Satisfaction94%Marketing
£21,500Salary (3 years)£20,00083%Satisfaction85%Software Engineering
£30,500Salary (3 years)No data84%Satisfaction89%Mental Health Nursing
£29,500Salary (3 years)No data98%Satisfaction91%
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveAbertay University
View all scholarships →University College Birmingham
GREAT Scholarship
£10,000
Deadline: N/A
Vice-Chancellor's Award
100%
Deadline: N/A
Dean's Award
50%
Deadline: N/A
Early Action Scholarship
£4,500
Deadline: Jul 2026
Alumni Scholarship
25%
Deadline: N/A
FAQ
Abertay University vs University College Birmingham: common questions
Is Abertay University or University College Birmingham cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,950 a year at Abertay University and £13,500 at University College Birmingham: University College Birmingham is about £3,450 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,950 a year at Abertay University and £17,000 at University College Birmingham: University College Birmingham is about £1,950 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 Abertay University and University College Birmingham?
Both universities teach 19 subject areas: Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Business & Management (General), Food Science, Building & Construction, Marketing, Civil Engineering, Sociology & Criminology, Finance & Actuarial Science, Psychology (General), Computer Science, Applied Psychology and 7 more.
Is Abertay University or University College Birmingham better for Hospitality, Events & Tourism?
Hospitality, Events & Tourism graduates earn a median £22,500 three years after graduating from Abertay University, and £20,000 from University College Birmingham. Student satisfaction with teaching is 83% at Abertay University and 93% at University College Birmingham. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Abertay University or University College Birmingham offer more courses?
University College Birmingham lists 115 courses on CourseOptions and Abertay University lists 82 courses.
What can you study at Abertay University but not at University College Birmingham?
Abertay University teaches 12 subject areas that University College Birmingham does not, including Games Design & Computer Animation, Accounting, Law, Biomedical Sciences, Human Geography & Environment, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Applied Computing, Film Production & Cinematography and 4 more.
What can you study at University College Birmingham but not at Abertay University?
University College Birmingham teaches 17 subject areas that Abertay University does not, including Business Studies, Health & Social Care, Childhood & Youth Studies, Food Production & Technology, Planning & Housing, Crafts & Applied Arts, Education Studies, Adult Nursing and 9 more.
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