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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
Arts University Bournemouth

Poole

U
University of Birmingham

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

VS

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.

—
QS World
#68
—
THE World
#98
—
Guardian UK
#18
1883
Established
1900
No
Russell Group
Yes
Silver
TEF Rating
Silver

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

86.6%
86.7%

Satisfaction

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

£26,900
£38,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81%
83.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

13.5%
31.2%

International

International student share

78
663

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

1
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.

Arts University Bournemouth

35 countries · 13.5% international

  • 🇨🇳China17.8%
  • 🇮🇳India12.9%
  • 🇺🇸United States8.9%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5%
  • 🌐Iceland3%
VS

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

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)£35,000
    84%Satisfaction79%
  • Drama & Theatre

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    94%Satisfaction91%
  • Creative Writing

    No dataSalary (3 years)£24,000
    87%Satisfaction88%

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Arts University Bournemouth

British National Residing Overseas

See details

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

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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