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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

D
Durham University

Durham · QS World #85

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 12 datapoints

We looked at 12 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

2/12

Aston

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

10/12

Durham

scored higher in 10 categories

Quick Verdict

Durham University leads in 10 of 12 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Aston University, Birmingham is ahead on TEF, employment.

Aston University, Birmingham vs Durham University at a glance

Aston University, Birmingham and Durham University both teach 27 subject areas, the largest being Business Studies, Economics and Politics & International Relations. Aston University, Birmingham offers 169 courses across 51 subject areas; Durham University offers 278 courses across 54 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £31,000 at Durham University: Aston University, Birmingham is about £8,420 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,000 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £30,500 at Durham University: Aston University, Birmingham is about £6,500 a year cheaper.

Of the 12 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Durham University is higher in 12 and Aston University, Birmingham in 0. The widest gap is in Accounting: £29,500 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, against £44,000 from Durham University. Of the 14 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Durham University is higher in 9 and Aston University, Birmingham in 3, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#416
QS World
#85
#401
THE World
#175
#39
Guardian UK
#6
1895
Established
1832
No
Russell Group
Yes
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

Durham University

85.2%
90.7%

Satisfaction

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

£37,600
£43,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.5%
74.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.1%
32.6%

International

International student share

169
278

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
102

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

Durham

86 countries · 32.6% international

  • 🇨🇳China49.5%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong7.4%
  • 🇮🇳India5.9%
  • 🇺🇸United States4.9%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore2.6%

Subjects

27 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

Durham University

Also taught at both: Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Business & Management (General), Civil Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, English Language, English Studies, Mechanical Engineering, Biochemistry, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Biotechnology, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Social Sciences (General).

Only at Aston University, Birmingham

Only at Durham 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
Durham University
£31,000

Aston University, Birmingham is about £8,420 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Aston University, Birmingham
£24,000
Durham University
£30,500

Aston University, Birmingham is about £6,500 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

Durham University

  • Business Studies

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£41,000
    82%Satisfaction83%

  • Economics

    £35,500Salary (3 years)£42,000
    95%Satisfaction90%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£34,000
    81%Satisfaction88%

  • General Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£35,500
    75%Satisfaction86%

  • Psychology (General)

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    92%Satisfaction91%

  • Computer Science

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£40,000
    85%Satisfaction87%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£42,000
    85%Satisfaction89%

  • Law

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£36,000
    89%Satisfaction90%

  • Accounting

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£44,000
    86%Satisfaction89%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    89%Satisfaction89%

  • Mathematics

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£36,000
    94%Satisfaction89%

  • History

    No dataSalary (3 years)£33,000
    95%Satisfaction94%

Showing the 12 largest of 14 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Aston University, Birmingham

View all scholarships →

Durham University

Sir Harry Evans Global Fellowship

£53,333

Deadline: N/A

Durham Inspiring Excellence Scholarships - Undergraduate

£30,000

Deadline: N/A

The Global DBA Scholarships

£25,000

Deadline: Nov 2026

The Mary Ward Postgraduate Scholarship Fund

£25,000

Deadline: N/A

Global Grand Challenges Studentships

£20,780

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Aston University, Birmingham vs Durham University: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £31,000 at Durham University: Aston University, Birmingham is about £8,420 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,000 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £30,500 at Durham University: Aston University, Birmingham is about £6,500 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 Durham University?

Both universities teach 27 subject areas: Business Studies, Economics, Politics & International Relations, General Engineering, Psychology (General), Computer Science, Finance & Actuarial Science, Law, Accounting, Sociology & Criminology, Mathematics, History and 15 more.

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

Business Studies graduates earn a median £30,500 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, and £41,000 from Durham University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 82% at Aston University, Birmingham and 83% at Durham University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

Durham University lists 278 courses on CourseOptions and Aston University, Birmingham lists 169 courses.

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

Aston University, Birmingham teaches 24 subject areas that Durham University does not, including Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Building & Construction, Human Resource Management, Information Systems & Data Science, Software Engineering, Technology & Logistics, Aerospace Engineering and 16 more.

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

Durham University teaches 27 subject areas that Aston University, Birmingham does not, including Theology & Religious Studies, Archaeology, Anthropology, Chemistry, Classical Studies, Geology & Earth Sciences, Natural Sciences, Ancient Languages and 19 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
D
Durham University278 courses · 102 scholarshipsBrowse Courses