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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
Aberystwyth University

Aberystwyth · QS World #801

U
University of Birmingham

Birmingham · QS World #68

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

Aberystwyth

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

4/7

Birmingham

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Birmingham leads in 4 of 7 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, courses). Aberystwyth University is ahead on TEF, established, scholarship.

Aberystwyth University vs University of Birmingham at a glance

Aberystwyth University and University of Birmingham both teach 51 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, History and Law. Aberystwyth University offers 414 courses across 66 subject areas; University of Birmingham offers 663 courses across 101 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,720 a year at Aberystwyth University and £27,090 at University of Birmingham: Aberystwyth University is about £6,370 a year cheaper.

Of the 27 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Birmingham is higher in 27 and Aberystwyth University in 0. The widest gap is in Accounting: £23,000 three years after graduating from Aberystwyth University, against £37,000 from University of Birmingham. Of the 31 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Aberystwyth University is higher in 20 and University of Birmingham in 8, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

Compare world and national league table positions, TEF ratings, and Russell Group membership.

#801
QS World
#68
—
THE World
#98
#62
Guardian UK
#18
1872
Established
1900
No
Russell Group
Yes
Gold
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.

Aberystwyth University

University of Birmingham

No data
86.7%

Satisfaction

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

No data
£38,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

No data
83.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

No data
31.2%

International

International student share

414
663

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

22
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.

Aberystwyth

No published data on international students

    VS

    Birmingham

    104 countries · 31.2% international

    • 🇨🇳China55.7%
    • 🇮🇳India9.4%
    • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.2%
    • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.8%
    • 🇲🇾Malaysia2%

    Subjects

    51 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.

    Aberystwyth University

    University of Birmingham

    Also taught at both: Economics, Creative Writing, Environmental Sciences, Accounting, Education Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Ancient Languages, Childhood & Youth Studies, Drama & Theatre, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, History of Art & Design, Media & Film Studies, Physical Geography & Climate, French, Human Geography & Environment, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Biochemistry, Biology, English Language, English Literature, Applied Psychology, Information Systems & Data Science, Management, Biological Sciences (General), Computing & IT, English Studies, Heritage & Conservation, Spanish & Portuguese, Adult Nursing, Mental Health Nursing, Film Production & Cinematography, Genetics & Genomics, Software Engineering, Anatomy & Pathology, Counselling & Psychotherapy.

    Only at Aberystwyth University

    Only at University of 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

    Aberystwyth University
    £20,720
    University of Birmingham
    £27,090

    Aberystwyth University is about £6,370 a year cheaper.

    Postgraduate

    Aberystwyth University
    No data
    University of Birmingham
    £23,390

    We do not have reliable international fee data for Aberystwyth University yet.

    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.

    Aberystwyth University

    University of Birmingham

    • Politics & International Relations

      £22,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
      92%Satisfaction86%

    • History

      £19,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
      92%Satisfaction89%

    • Law

      £20,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
      87%Satisfaction83%

    • Mathematics

      £23,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
      97%Satisfaction85%

    • Computer Science

      £34,000Salary (3 years)£40,000
      84%Satisfaction93%

    • Physics

      £22,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
      91%Satisfaction93%

    • Sport & Exercise Sciences

      £21,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
      81%Satisfaction88%

    • Business Studies

      £23,000Salary (3 years)£35,000
      93%Satisfaction77%

    • Sociology & Criminology

      £20,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
      87%Satisfaction83%

    • Marketing

      £23,000Salary (3 years)£35,000
      95%Satisfaction79%

    • Psychology (General)

      £18,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
      91%Satisfaction90%

    • Geology & Earth Sciences

      £23,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
      96%Satisfaction91%

    Showing the 12 largest of 32 shared subjects with published outcomes.

    Scholarships for International Students

    Exclusive

    Aberystwyth University

    International Accommodation Award

    100%

    Deadline: N/A

    International Accommodation Award

    100%

    Deadline: N/A

    Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship Exam

    £6,000

    Deadline: N/A

    Vice-Chancellor's Regional Scholarship (PG)

    £3,000

    Deadline: N/A

    David Game College Scholarship

    £2,500

    Deadline: N/A

    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

    Aberystwyth University vs University of Birmingham: common questions

    Is Aberystwyth University or University of Birmingham cheaper for international students?

    For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,720 a year at Aberystwyth University and £27,090 at University of Birmingham: Aberystwyth University is about £6,370 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 Aberystwyth University and University of Birmingham?

    Both universities teach 51 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, History, Law, Mathematics, Computer Science, Physics, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Business Studies, Sociology & Criminology, Business & Management (General), Marketing, Psychology (General) and 39 more.

    Is Aberystwyth University or University of Birmingham better for Politics & International Relations?

    Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £22,000 three years after graduating from Aberystwyth University, and £28,000 from University of Birmingham. Student satisfaction with teaching is 92% at Aberystwyth University and 86% at University of Birmingham. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

    Does Aberystwyth University or University of Birmingham offer more courses?

    University of Birmingham lists 663 courses on CourseOptions and Aberystwyth University lists 414 courses.

    What can you study at Aberystwyth University but not at University of Birmingham?

    Aberystwyth University teaches 15 subject areas that University of Birmingham does not, including Welsh Studies, Agriculture & Land Management, Animal Science, Ecology & Conservation, Zoology & Animal Biology, Fine Art, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Information & Library Studies and 7 more.

    What can you study at University of Birmingham but not at Aberystwyth University?

    University of Birmingham teaches 50 subject areas that Aberystwyth University does not, including Health & Social Care, Teacher Training, Civil Engineering, International Development, Music, Chemistry, Biomedical Sciences, Theology & Religious Studies and 42 more.

    Ready to explore courses?

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

    A
    Aberystwyth University414 courses · 22 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
    U
    University of Birmingham663 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses