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.
Poole
Birmingham · QS World #68
Head-to-Head Summary
Based on 8 datapoints
We looked at 8 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.
1/8
Arts University Bournemouth
scored higher in 1 category
7/8
Birmingham
scored higher in 7 categories
Quick Verdict
University of Birmingham leads in 7 of 8 categories where both have data (Russell Group, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Arts University Bournemouth is ahead on established.
Arts University Bournemouth vs University of Birmingham at a glance
Arts University Bournemouth and University of Birmingham both teach 5 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Film Production & Cinematography and Media & Film Studies. Arts University Bournemouth offers 78 courses across 13 subject areas; University of Birmingham offers 663 courses across 101 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,950 a year at Arts University Bournemouth and £27,090 at University of Birmingham: Arts University Bournemouth is about £7,140 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,980 a year at Arts University Bournemouth and £23,390 at University of Birmingham: Arts University Bournemouth is about £3,410 a year cheaper.
Of the 2 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Birmingham is higher in 2 and Arts University Bournemouth in 0. The widest gap is in Business & Management (General): £22,500 three years after graduating from Arts University Bournemouth, against £35,000 from University of Birmingham. Of the 3 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Arts University Bournemouth is higher in 2 and University of Birmingham 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.
Arts University Bournemouth
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.
Arts University Bournemouth
35 countries · 13.5% international
- 🇨🇳China17.8%
- 🇮🇳India12.9%
- 🇺🇸United States8.9%
- 🇭🇰Hong Kong5%
- 🌐Iceland3%
Birmingham
104 countries · 31.2% international
- 🇨🇳China55.7%
- 🇮🇳India9.4%
- 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.2%
- 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.8%
- 🇲🇾Malaysia2%
Subjects
5 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.
Arts University Bournemouth
University of Birmingham
Business & Management (General)
2 coursesTypical fee £19,950 (UG)
15 coursesFee not available
Film Production & Cinematography
14 coursesTypical fee £19,950 (UG)
1 courseTypical fee £11,250 (PG)
Media & Film Studies
Drama & Theatre
Creative Writing
Only at Arts University Bournemouth
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
- Arts University Bournemouth
- £19,950
- University of Birmingham
- £27,090
Arts University Bournemouth is about £7,140 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Arts University Bournemouth
- £19,980
- University of Birmingham
- £23,390
Arts University Bournemouth is about £3,410 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.
Arts University Bournemouth
University of Birmingham
Business & Management (General)
£22,500Salary (3 years)£35,00084%Satisfaction79%Drama & Theatre
£20,000Salary (3 years)£22,50094%Satisfaction91%Creative Writing
No dataSalary (3 years)£24,00087%Satisfaction88%
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveArts University Bournemouth
British National Residing Overseas
See details
Deadline: N/A
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
Arts University Bournemouth vs University of Birmingham: common questions
Is Arts University Bournemouth or University of Birmingham cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,950 a year at Arts University Bournemouth and £27,090 at University of Birmingham: Arts University Bournemouth is about £7,140 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,980 a year at Arts University Bournemouth and £23,390 at University of Birmingham: Arts University Bournemouth is about £3,410 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 Arts University Bournemouth and University of Birmingham?
Both universities teach 5 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Film Production & Cinematography, Media & Film Studies, Drama & Theatre and Creative Writing.
Is Arts University Bournemouth or University of Birmingham better for Business & Management (General)?
Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £22,500 three years after graduating from Arts University Bournemouth, and £35,000 from University of Birmingham. Student satisfaction with teaching is 84% at Arts University Bournemouth and 79% at University of Birmingham. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Arts University Bournemouth or University of Birmingham offer more courses?
University of Birmingham lists 663 courses on CourseOptions and Arts University Bournemouth lists 78 courses.
What can you study at Arts University Bournemouth but not at University of Birmingham?
Arts University Bournemouth teaches 8 subject areas that University of Birmingham does not, including Design & Fashion, Fine Art, Architecture, Creative Arts (General), Games Design & Computer Animation, Building & Construction, Performing Arts (General) and Personal & Professional Development.
What can you study at University of Birmingham but not at Arts University Bournemouth?
University of Birmingham teaches 96 subject areas that Arts University Bournemouth does not, including Politics & International Relations, Law, History, Health & Social Care, Philosophy, Teacher Training, Civil Engineering, Geology & Earth Sciences and 88 more.
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