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
Glasgow · QS World #1001
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.
6/9
Aston
scored higher in 6 categories
3/9
Glasgow Caledonian
scored higher in 3 categories
Quick Verdict
Aston University, Birmingham leads in 6 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, established, graduate salary, courses). Glasgow Caledonian University is ahead on satisfaction, employment, international.
Aston University, Birmingham vs Glasgow Caledonian University at a glance
Aston University, Birmingham and Glasgow Caledonian University both teach 29 subject areas, the largest being Business Studies, Business & Management (General) and Electronic & Electrical Engineering. Aston University, Birmingham offers 169 courses across 51 subject areas; Glasgow Caledonian University offers 130 courses across 48 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £15,700 at Glasgow Caledonian University: Glasgow Caledonian University is about £6,880 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,000 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £17,950 at Glasgow Caledonian University: Glasgow Caledonian University is about £6,050 a year cheaper.
Of the 17 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Aston University, Birmingham is higher in 16 and Glasgow Caledonian University in 1. The widest gap is in Software Engineering: £33,000 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, against £24,000 from Glasgow Caledonian University. Of the 15 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Glasgow Caledonian University is higher in 8 and Aston University, Birmingham in 7.
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
Glasgow Caledonian 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%
Glasgow Caledonian
45 countries · 22.7% international
- 🇵🇰Pakistan39.5%
- 🇮🇳India27.4%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria19.8%
- 🇧🇩Bangladesh2.3%
- 🇨🇦Canada1.6%
Subjects
29 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
Glasgow Caledonian University
Business Studies
18 coursesTypical fee £23,500 (UG)
6 coursesTypical fee £15,700 (UG)
Business & Management (General)
4 coursesTypical fee £23,500 (PG)
10 coursesTypical fee £15,700 (UG)
Electronic & Electrical Engineering
Building & Construction
Finance & Actuarial Science
Marketing
Psychology (General)
Biomedical Sciences
Mechanical Engineering
Politics & International Relations
Civil Engineering
Computer Science
Economics
Design & Fashion
General Engineering
Also taught at both: Software Engineering, Accounting, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Law, Management, Mathematics, Media & Film Studies, Optometry & Ophthalmics, Technology & Logistics, Adult Nursing, Mental Health Nursing, Public Health & Epidemiology, Social Sciences (General), Biological Sciences (General).
Only at Aston University, Birmingham
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
- Glasgow Caledonian University
- £15,700
Glasgow Caledonian University is about £6,880 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Aston University, Birmingham
- £24,000
- Glasgow Caledonian University
- £17,950
Glasgow Caledonian University is about £6,050 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
Glasgow Caledonian University
Business Studies
£30,500Salary (3 years)£23,50082%Satisfaction90%Electronic & Electrical Engineering
£32,500Salary (3 years)£26,50064%Satisfaction97%Building & Construction
£32,500Salary (3 years)£29,50082%Satisfaction84%Finance & Actuarial Science
£30,000Salary (3 years)£27,00085%SatisfactionNo dataMarketing
£28,500Salary (3 years)£22,50079%Satisfaction82%Biomedical Sciences
£27,500Salary (3 years)£31,00090%Satisfaction92%Mechanical Engineering
£32,000Salary (3 years)£26,50080%Satisfaction82%Civil Engineering
£31,000Salary (3 years)£26,50083%Satisfaction82%Computer Science
£33,000Salary (3 years)£26,50085%Satisfaction67%Software Engineering
£33,000Salary (3 years)£24,00084%Satisfaction81%Accounting
£29,500Salary (3 years)£23,00086%Satisfaction88%Law
£23,000Salary (3 years)£22,50089%SatisfactionNo data
Showing the 12 largest of 17 shared subjects with published outcomes.
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveAston University, Birmingham
View all scholarships →Glasgow Caledonian University
View all scholarships →FAQ
Aston University, Birmingham vs Glasgow Caledonian University: common questions
Is Aston University, Birmingham or Glasgow Caledonian University cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £15,700 at Glasgow Caledonian University: Glasgow Caledonian University is about £6,880 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,000 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £17,950 at Glasgow Caledonian University: Glasgow Caledonian University is about £6,050 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 Glasgow Caledonian University?
Both universities teach 29 subject areas: Business Studies, Business & Management (General), Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Building & Construction, Finance & Actuarial Science, Marketing, Psychology (General), Biomedical Sciences, Mechanical Engineering, Politics & International Relations, Civil Engineering, Computer Science and 17 more.
Is Aston University, Birmingham or Glasgow Caledonian University better for Business Studies?
Business Studies graduates earn a median £30,500 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, and £23,500 from Glasgow Caledonian University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 82% at Aston University, Birmingham and 90% at Glasgow Caledonian University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Aston University, Birmingham or Glasgow Caledonian University offer more courses?
Aston University, Birmingham lists 169 courses on CourseOptions and Glasgow Caledonian University lists 130 courses.
What can you study at Aston University, Birmingham but not at Glasgow Caledonian University?
Aston University, Birmingham teaches 22 subject areas that Glasgow Caledonian University does not, including Chemical Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biomedical Engineering, English Language, History, Human Resource Management, Information Systems & Data Science, Sociology & Criminology and 14 more.
What can you study at Glasgow Caledonian University but not at Aston University, Birmingham?
Glasgow Caledonian University teaches 19 subject areas that Aston University, Birmingham does not, including Clinical Specialities, Computing & IT, Games Design & Computer Animation, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Medical Imaging, Children's Nursing, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Forensic Science and 11 more.
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