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 · QS World #68
Head-to-Head Summary
Based on 9 datapoints
We looked at 9 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.
2/9
Abertay
scored higher in 2 categories
7/9
Birmingham
scored higher in 7 categories
Quick Verdict
University of Birmingham leads in 7 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, employment, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Abertay University is ahead on established, satisfaction.
Abertay University vs University of Birmingham at a glance
Abertay University and University of Birmingham both teach 25 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Law and Business & Management (General). Abertay University offers 82 courses across 31 subject areas; University of Birmingham offers 663 courses across 101 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,950 a year at Abertay University and £27,090 at University of Birmingham: Abertay University is about £10,140 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,950 a year at Abertay University and £23,390 at University of Birmingham: Abertay University is about £4,440 a year cheaper.
Of the 14 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Birmingham is higher in 13 and Abertay University in 1. The widest gap is in Accounting: £20,500 three years after graduating from Abertay University, against £37,000 from University of Birmingham. Of the 12 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Abertay University is higher in 9 and University of Birmingham in 3.
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 of 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%
Birmingham
104 countries · 31.2% international
- 🇨🇳China55.7%
- 🇮🇳India9.4%
- 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.2%
- 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.8%
- 🇲🇾Malaysia2%
Subjects
25 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 of Birmingham
Politics & International Relations
2 coursesTypical fee £18,950 (PG)
28 coursesTypical fee £28,080 (UG)
Law
5 coursesTypical fee £16,950 (UG)
24 coursesTypical fee £23,390 (UG)
Business & Management (General)
7 coursesTypical fee £16,950 (UG)
15 coursesFee not available
Civil Engineering
5 coursesTypical fee £16,950 (UG)
15 coursesTypical fee £11,740 (UG)
Sport & Exercise Sciences
6 coursesTypical fee £16,950 (UG)
14 coursesTypical fee £11,250 (PG)
Marketing
5 coursesTypical fee £16,950 (UG)
13 coursesTypical fee £24,340 (UG)
Sociology & Criminology
3 coursesTypical fee £16,950 (UG)
11 coursesTypical fee £10,900 (UG)
Biomedical Sciences
Accounting
Computer Science
Psychology (General)
Finance & Actuarial Science
Management
Applied Psychology
Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
Also taught at both: Clinical & Health Psychology, Human Geography & Environment, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Mental Health Nursing, Statistics, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Film Production & Cinematography, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Human Resource Management, Software Engineering.
Only at Abertay University
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 of Birmingham
- £27,090
Abertay University is about £10,140 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Abertay University
- £18,950
- University of Birmingham
- £23,390
Abertay University is about £4,440 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 of Birmingham
Law
£23,000Salary (3 years)£27,50092%Satisfaction83%Business & Management (General)
£22,500Salary (3 years)£35,00064%Satisfaction79%Civil Engineering
£27,000Salary (3 years)£33,00093%Satisfaction78%Sport & Exercise Sciences
£20,500Salary (3 years)£25,00092%Satisfaction88%Marketing
£21,500Salary (3 years)£35,00083%Satisfaction79%Sociology & Criminology
£22,000Salary (3 years)£25,00088%Satisfaction83%Biomedical Sciences
£29,500Salary (3 years)£30,50090%Satisfaction82%Accounting
£20,500Salary (3 years)£37,00073%Satisfaction84%Computer Science
£30,500Salary (3 years)£40,000No dataSatisfaction93%Psychology (General)
£22,000Salary (3 years)£23,50086%Satisfaction90%Management
£22,500Salary (3 years)£35,000No dataSatisfaction84%Mental Health Nursing
£29,500Salary (3 years)£28,50098%Satisfaction83%
Showing the 12 largest of 14 shared subjects with published outcomes.
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveAbertay University
View all scholarships →University of Birmingham
Enhanced Chamberlain Award
£3,500
Deadline: N/A
University Music Scholarships
£3,000
Deadline: Jun 2026
University Music Scholarships
£1,000
Deadline: Jun 2026
FAQ
Abertay University vs University of Birmingham: common questions
Is Abertay University or University of Birmingham cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,950 a year at Abertay University and £27,090 at University of Birmingham: Abertay University is about £10,140 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,950 a year at Abertay University and £23,390 at University of Birmingham: Abertay University is about £4,440 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 of Birmingham?
Both universities teach 25 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Law, Business & Management (General), Civil Engineering, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Marketing, Sociology & Criminology, Biomedical Sciences, Accounting, Computer Science, Psychology (General), Finance & Actuarial Science and 13 more.
Is Abertay University or University of Birmingham better for Law?
Law graduates earn a median £23,000 three years after graduating from Abertay University, and £27,500 from University of Birmingham. Student satisfaction with teaching is 92% at Abertay University and 83% at University of Birmingham. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Abertay University or University of Birmingham offer more courses?
University of Birmingham lists 663 courses on CourseOptions and Abertay University lists 82 courses.
What can you study at Abertay University but not at University of Birmingham?
Abertay University teaches 6 subject areas that University of Birmingham does not, including Games Design & Computer Animation, Food Science, Nutrition & Dietetics, Applied Computing, Building & Construction and Forensic Science.
What can you study at University of Birmingham but not at Abertay University?
University of Birmingham teaches 76 subject areas that Abertay University does not, including History, Health & Social Care, Philosophy, Teacher Training, Geology & Earth Sciences, International Development, Physics, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science and 68 more.
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