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.
Birmingham · QS World #416
Bath · Guardian UK #104
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.
5/9
Aston
scored higher in 5 categories
4/9
Bath Spa
scored higher in 4 categories
Quick Verdict
Aston University, Birmingham leads in 5 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, TEF, established, international, graduate salary). Bath Spa University is ahead on satisfaction, employment, courses, scholarship.
Aston University, Birmingham vs Bath Spa University at a glance
Aston University, Birmingham and Bath Spa University both teach 16 subject areas, the largest being Business Studies, Design & Fashion and Sociology & Criminology. Aston University, Birmingham offers 169 courses across 51 subject areas; Bath Spa University offers 249 courses across 45 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £18,330 at Bath Spa University: Bath Spa University is about £4,250 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,000 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £18,760 at Bath Spa University: Bath Spa University is about £5,240 a year cheaper.
Of the 9 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Aston University, Birmingham is higher in 9 and Bath Spa University in 0. The widest gap is in Economics: £35,500 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, against £21,000 from Bath Spa University. Of the 13 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Bath Spa University is higher in 5 and Aston University, Birmingham in 4, with 4 about level.
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.
Aston University, Birmingham
Bath Spa University
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.
Aston
67 countries · 22.1% international
- 🇮🇳India40.8%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria10.2%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan5.9%
- 🌐Kuwait4.2%
- 🇻🇳Vietnam4%
Bath Spa
40 countries · 2.7% international
- 🇷🇴Romania25.3%
- 🇮🇳India17.7%
- 🇨🇳China9.5%
- 🌐Bulgaria5.7%
- 🇺🇸United States3.8%
Subjects
16 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.
Aston University, Birmingham
Bath Spa University
Business Studies
18 coursesTypical fee £23,500 (UG)
10 coursesTypical fee £17,310 (UG)
Design & Fashion
2 coursesTypical fee £21,500 (UG)
21 coursesTypical fee £19,330 (UG)
Sociology & Criminology
4 coursesTypical fee £22,580 (UG)
15 coursesTypical fee £17,310 (UG)
Media & Film Studies
1 courseTypical fee £22,580 (UG)
16 coursesTypical fee £18,590 (UG)
Computer Science
3 coursesTypical fee £22,580 (UG)
10 coursesTypical fee £18,760 (PG)
Marketing
Business & Management (General)
Politics & International Relations
Psychology (General)
History
Economics
Law
Biomedical Sciences
Software Engineering
Accounting
Also taught at both: Human Resource Management.
Only at Aston University, Birmingham
- Chemical Engineering · 6
- Electronic & Electrical Engineering · 6
- Finance & Actuarial Science · 6
- Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning · 5
- Building & Construction · 5
- General Engineering · 5
- Biomedical Engineering · 4
- Civil Engineering · 4
- English Language · 4
- Information Systems & Data Science · 4
- and 25 more
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
- Aston University, Birmingham
- £22,580
- Bath Spa University
- £18,330
Bath Spa University is about £4,250 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Aston University, Birmingham
- £24,000
- Bath Spa University
- £18,760
Bath Spa University is about £5,240 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.
Aston University, Birmingham
Bath Spa University
Business Studies
£30,500Salary (3 years)£25,00082%Satisfaction85%Sociology & Criminology
£23,000Salary (3 years)£21,00089%Satisfaction84%Computer Science
£33,000Salary (3 years)No data85%Satisfaction93%Marketing
£28,500Salary (3 years)£24,00079%Satisfaction90%Politics & International Relations
£27,500Salary (3 years)£21,00081%Satisfaction81%Psychology (General)
£24,500Salary (3 years)£22,00092%Satisfaction84%History
No dataSalary (3 years)£22,00095%Satisfaction99%Economics
£35,500Salary (3 years)£21,00095%Satisfaction82%Law
£23,000Salary (3 years)No data89%Satisfaction90%Biomedical Sciences
£27,500Salary (3 years)£22,50090%Satisfaction92%Software Engineering
£33,000Salary (3 years)No data84%Satisfaction83%Accounting
£29,500Salary (3 years)£24,50086%Satisfaction84%
Showing the 12 largest of 13 shared subjects with published outcomes.
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveAston University, Birmingham
View all scholarships →Bath Spa University
Explore It! Launch It! Grow It!
£5,000
Deadline: N/A
International Recruitment Office Scholarship
£5,000
Deadline: Jun 2026
MyWorld Scholarship
£5,000
Deadline: N/A
Global Horizons Award
£3,500
Deadline: N/A
Postgraduate Alumni Scholarship
£2,000
Deadline: N/A
FAQ
Aston University, Birmingham vs Bath Spa University: common questions
Is Aston University, Birmingham or Bath Spa University cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £18,330 at Bath Spa University: Bath Spa University is about £4,250 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,000 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £18,760 at Bath Spa University: Bath Spa University is about £5,240 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 Aston University, Birmingham and Bath Spa University?
Both universities teach 16 subject areas: Business Studies, Design & Fashion, Sociology & Criminology, Media & Film Studies, Computer Science, Marketing, Business & Management (General), Politics & International Relations, Psychology (General), History, Economics, Law and 4 more.
Is Aston University, Birmingham or Bath Spa University better for Business Studies?
Business Studies graduates earn a median £30,500 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, and £25,000 from Bath Spa University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 82% at Aston University, Birmingham and 85% at Bath Spa University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Aston University, Birmingham or Bath Spa University offer more courses?
Bath Spa University lists 249 courses on CourseOptions and Aston University, Birmingham lists 169 courses.
What can you study at Aston University, Birmingham but not at Bath Spa University?
Aston University, Birmingham teaches 35 subject areas that Bath Spa University does not, including Chemical Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Building & Construction, General Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Civil Engineering and 27 more.
What can you study at Bath Spa University but not at Aston University, Birmingham?
Bath Spa University teaches 29 subject areas that Aston University, Birmingham does not, including Creative Writing, Education Studies, Drama & Theatre, Film Production & Cinematography, English Literature, Music, Childhood & Youth Studies, Nutrition & Dietetics and 21 more.
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