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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
Aston University, Birmingham

Birmingham · QS World #416

B
Bath Spa University

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

VS

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.

#416
QS World
—
#401
THE World
—
#39
Guardian UK
#104
1895
Established
1898
No
Russell Group
No
Gold
TEF Rating
Silver

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

85.2%
86.2%

Satisfaction

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

£37,600
£27,000

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.5%
85%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.1%
2.7%

International

International student share

169
249

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
20

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%
VS

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

Also taught at both: Human Resource Management.

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)£25,000
    82%Satisfaction85%
  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    89%Satisfaction84%
  • Computer Science

    £33,000Salary (3 years)No data
    85%Satisfaction93%
  • Marketing

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    79%Satisfaction90%
  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    81%Satisfaction81%
  • Psychology (General)

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£22,000
    92%Satisfaction84%
  • History

    No dataSalary (3 years)£22,000
    95%Satisfaction99%
  • Economics

    £35,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    95%Satisfaction82%
  • Law

    £23,000Salary (3 years)No data
    89%Satisfaction90%
  • Biomedical Sciences

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    90%Satisfaction92%
  • Software Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)No data
    84%Satisfaction83%
  • Accounting

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    86%Satisfaction84%

Showing the 12 largest of 13 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Aston 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

View all scholarships →

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.

Ready to explore courses?

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