Skip to main content

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
Birmingham City University

Birmingham · QS World #1001

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 3 datapoints

We looked at 3 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

1/3

Aston

scored higher in 1 category

VS

2/3

Birmingham City

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

Birmingham City University leads in 2 of 3 categories where both have data (courses, scholarship). Aston University, Birmingham is ahead on ranking.

Aston University, Birmingham vs Birmingham City University at a glance

Aston University, Birmingham and Birmingham City University both teach 34 subject areas, the largest being Business Studies, Design & Fashion and Marketing. Aston University, Birmingham offers 169 courses across 51 subject areas; Birmingham City University offers 284 courses across 68 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £18,570 at Birmingham City University: Birmingham City University is about £4,010 a year cheaper.

Of the 24 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Aston University, Birmingham is higher in 23 and Birmingham City University in 1. The widest gap is in Economics: £35,500 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, against £24,000 from Birmingham City University. Of the 24 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Birmingham City University is higher in 13 and Aston University, Birmingham in 8, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#416
QS World
#1001
#401
THE World
—
#39
Guardian UK
—
1895
Established
N/A
No
Russell Group
No
Gold
TEF Rating
—

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Aston University, Birmingham

Birmingham City University

85.2%
No data

Satisfaction

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

£37,600
No data

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.5%
No data

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.1%
No data

International

International student share

169
284

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
10

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

Birmingham City

No published data on international students

    Subjects

    34 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

    Birmingham City University

    Also taught at both: Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Media & Film Studies, Politics & International Relations, Economics, Health & Social Care, Information Systems & Data Science, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Human Resource Management, Mechanical Engineering, Technology & Logistics, English Language, Mathematics, Biochemistry, Business Information Systems, English Studies, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Mental Health Nursing, Adult Nursing, Management.

    Only at Aston University, Birmingham

    Only at Birmingham City University

    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
    Birmingham City University
    £18,570

    Birmingham City University is about £4,010 a year cheaper.

    Postgraduate

    Aston University, Birmingham
    £24,000
    Birmingham City University
    No data

    We do not have reliable international fee data for Birmingham City 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.

    Aston University, Birmingham

    Birmingham City University

    • Business Studies

      £30,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
      82%Satisfaction85%

    • Marketing

      £28,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
      79%Satisfaction92%

    • Building & Construction

      £32,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
      82%Satisfaction84%

    • Computer Science

      £33,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
      85%Satisfaction78%

    • Finance & Actuarial Science

      £30,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
      85%Satisfaction80%

    • Sociology & Criminology

      £23,000Salary (3 years)£22,000
      89%Satisfaction89%

    • Civil Engineering

      £31,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
      83%Satisfaction92%

    • Law

      £23,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
      89%Satisfaction80%

    • Psychology (General)

      £24,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
      92%Satisfaction79%

    • Software Engineering

      £33,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
      84%Satisfaction86%

    • Accounting

      £29,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
      86%Satisfaction74%

    • Biomedical Sciences

      £27,500Salary (3 years)£31,500
      90%Satisfaction86%

    Showing the 12 largest of 24 shared subjects with published outcomes.

    Scholarships for International Students

    Exclusive

    Aston University, Birmingham

    View all scholarships →

    Birmingham City University

    Henderson Bursaries and Scholarships 2026

    £10,000

    Deadline: N/A

    Henderson Bursaries and Scholarships 2026

    £10,000

    Deadline: N/A

    Millennium Point Scholarship

    100%

    Deadline: N/A

    Scott Trust Bursary

    £7,415

    Deadline: N/A

    Santander Scholarship

    £2,000

    Deadline: N/A

    View all scholarships →

    FAQ

    Aston University, Birmingham vs Birmingham City University: common questions

    Is Aston University, Birmingham or Birmingham City University cheaper for international students?

    For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £18,570 at Birmingham City University: Birmingham City University is about £4,010 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 Birmingham City University?

    Both universities teach 34 subject areas: Business Studies, Design & Fashion, Marketing, Building & Construction, Computer Science, Finance & Actuarial Science, Sociology & Criminology, Business & Management (General), Civil Engineering, Law, Psychology (General), Software Engineering and 22 more.

    Is Aston University, Birmingham or Birmingham City University better for Business Studies?

    Business Studies graduates earn a median £30,500 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, and £22,500 from Birmingham City University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 82% at Aston University, Birmingham and 85% at Birmingham City University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

    Does Aston University, Birmingham or Birmingham City University offer more courses?

    Birmingham City University lists 284 courses on CourseOptions and Aston University, Birmingham lists 169 courses.

    What can you study at Aston University, Birmingham but not at Birmingham City University?

    Aston University, Birmingham teaches 17 subject areas that Birmingham City University does not, including Chemical Engineering, General Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, History, Aerospace Engineering, Clinical & Health Psychology, Linguistics, Personal & Professional Development and 9 more.

    What can you study at Birmingham City University but not at Aston University, Birmingham?

    Birmingham City University teaches 34 subject areas that Aston University, Birmingham does not, including Childhood & Youth Studies, Nursing (General), Film Production & Cinematography, Games Design & Computer Animation, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Architecture, Fine Art, Journalism and 26 more.

    Ready to explore courses?

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

    A
    Aston University, Birmingham169 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
    B
    Birmingham City University284 courses · 10 scholarshipsBrowse Courses