Skip to main content

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.

A
Abertay University

Dundee · Guardian UK #55

U
University of Birmingham

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

VS

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.

—
QS World
#68
—
THE World
#98
#55
Guardian UK
#18
1888
Established
1900
No
Russell Group
Yes
—
TEF Rating
Silver

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

88%
86.7%

Satisfaction

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

£29,600
£38,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

80.5%
83.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

9.3%
31.2%

International

International student share

82
663

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
3

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%
VS

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

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.

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)£27,500
    92%Satisfaction83%
  • Business & Management (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£35,000
    64%Satisfaction79%
  • Civil Engineering

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    93%Satisfaction78%
  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    92%Satisfaction88%
  • Marketing

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£35,000
    83%Satisfaction79%
  • Sociology & Criminology

    £22,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    88%Satisfaction83%
  • Biomedical Sciences

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    90%Satisfaction82%
  • Accounting

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£37,000
    73%Satisfaction84%
  • Computer Science

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£40,000
    No dataSatisfaction93%
  • Psychology (General)

    £22,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    86%Satisfaction90%
  • Management

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£35,000
    No dataSatisfaction84%
  • Mental Health Nursing

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£28,500
    98%Satisfaction83%

Showing the 12 largest of 14 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Abertay 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

View all scholarships →

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.

Ready to explore courses?

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