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

E
Edinburgh Napier University

Edinburgh · QS World #801

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 10 datapoints

We looked at 10 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

6/10

Aston

scored higher in 6 categories

VS

4/10

Edinburgh Napier

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

Aston University, Birmingham leads in 6 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, graduate salary). Edinburgh Napier University is ahead on employment, international, courses, scholarship.

Aston University, Birmingham vs Edinburgh Napier University at a glance

Aston University, Birmingham and Edinburgh Napier University both teach 31 subject areas, the largest being Business Studies, Business & Management (General) and Computer Science. Aston University, Birmingham offers 169 courses across 51 subject areas; Edinburgh Napier University offers 199 courses across 53 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £20,310 at Edinburgh Napier University: Edinburgh Napier University is about £2,270 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,000 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £20,540 at Edinburgh Napier University: Edinburgh Napier University is about £3,460 a year cheaper.

Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Aston University, Birmingham is higher in 17 and Edinburgh Napier University in 2, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £33,000 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, against £25,500 from Edinburgh Napier University. Of the 18 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Aston University, Birmingham is higher in 11 and Edinburgh Napier University in 7.

World & National Rankings

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

#416
QS World
#801
#401
THE World
#601
#39
Guardian UK
#57
1895
Established
1964
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

Edinburgh Napier University

85.2%
84.3%

Satisfaction

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

£37,600
£32,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.5%
86.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.1%
27.5%

International

International student share

169
199

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
29

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

Edinburgh Napier

70 countries · 27.5% international

  • 🇮🇳India30.9%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan14.5%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria13.2%
  • 🇺🇸United States5.3%
  • 🇩🇪Germany4.2%

Subjects

31 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

Edinburgh Napier University

Also taught at both: Human Resource Management, Information Systems & Data Science, Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Law, Sociology & Criminology, Media & Film Studies, Technology & Logistics, English Studies, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Personal & Professional Development, Social Sciences (General), Adult Nursing, Biological Sciences (General), Health & Social Care, Mental Health Nursing.

Only at Aston University, Birmingham

Only at Edinburgh Napier 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
Edinburgh Napier University
£20,310

Edinburgh Napier University is about £2,270 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Aston University, Birmingham
£24,000
Edinburgh Napier University
£20,540

Edinburgh Napier University is about £3,460 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

Edinburgh Napier University

  • Business Studies

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    82%Satisfaction79%

  • Computer Science

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    85%Satisfaction84%

  • Marketing

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    79%Satisfaction85%

  • Building & Construction

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    82%Satisfaction71%

  • Civil Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    83%Satisfaction94%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    64%Satisfaction94%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    80%Satisfaction85%

  • Psychology (General)

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    92%Satisfaction88%

  • Accounting

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    86%Satisfaction83%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    85%Satisfaction79%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£28,500
    90%Satisfaction95%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    87%Satisfaction79%

Showing the 12 largest of 20 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Aston University, Birmingham

View all scholarships →

Edinburgh Napier University

OAS Craiglockhart Scholarship

£30,000

Deadline: N/A

WSP and Dodyk Scholarship

£16,875

Deadline: N/A

Hong Kong Scholarship Trust

£16,000

Deadline: Apr 2027

Carnegie Masters Grant

£10,000

Deadline: Jul 2026

Data and AI Scholarships with The Data Lab

100%

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Aston University, Birmingham vs Edinburgh Napier University: common questions

Is Aston University, Birmingham or Edinburgh Napier University cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £20,310 at Edinburgh Napier University: Edinburgh Napier University is about £2,270 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,000 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £20,540 at Edinburgh Napier University: Edinburgh Napier University is about £3,460 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 Edinburgh Napier University?

Both universities teach 31 subject areas: Business Studies, Business & Management (General), Computer Science, Marketing, Management, Design & Fashion, Building & Construction, Civil Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Psychology (General), Accounting and 19 more.

Is Aston University, Birmingham or Edinburgh Napier University better for Business Studies?

Business Studies graduates earn a median £30,500 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, and £24,500 from Edinburgh Napier University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 82% at Aston University, Birmingham and 79% at Edinburgh Napier University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Aston University, Birmingham or Edinburgh Napier University offer more courses?

Edinburgh Napier University lists 199 courses on CourseOptions and Aston University, Birmingham lists 169 courses.

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

Aston University, Birmingham teaches 20 subject areas that Edinburgh Napier University does not, including Politics & International Relations, Economics, General Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, English Language, History, Mathematics, Aerospace Engineering and 12 more.

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

Edinburgh Napier University teaches 22 subject areas that Aston University, Birmingham does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Film Production & Cinematography, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Teacher Training, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Creative Writing, Drama & Theatre, Ecology & Conservation and 14 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
E
Edinburgh Napier University199 courses · 29 scholarshipsBrowse Courses