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
Newport · QS World #1401
Head-to-Head Summary
Based on 8 datapoints
We looked at 8 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.
5/8
Aston
scored higher in 5 categories
3/8
Harper Adams
scored higher in 3 categories
Quick Verdict
Aston University, Birmingham leads in 5 of 8 categories where both have data (ranking, established, international, graduate salary, courses). Harper Adams University is ahead on satisfaction, employment, scholarship.
Aston University, Birmingham vs Harper Adams University at a glance
Aston University, Birmingham and Harper Adams University both teach 10 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Business & Management (General) and Economics. Aston University, Birmingham offers 169 courses across 51 subject areas; Harper Adams University offers 103 courses across 21 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £16,500 at Harper Adams University: Harper Adams University is about £6,080 a year cheaper.
In Mechanical Engineering, the one shared subject where both publish a graduate salary, Harper Adams University is higher. Of the 2 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Aston University, Birmingham is higher in 1 and Harper Adams University in 1.
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
Harper Adams 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%
Harper Adams
14 countries · 2.6% international
- 🇮🇪Ireland37%
- 🌐Zimbabwe7.4%
- 🇩🇰Denmark3.7%
- 🇫🇷France3.7%
- 🇬🇷Greece3.7%
Subjects
10 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
Harper Adams University
Politics & International Relations
Business & Management (General)
Economics
Mechanical Engineering
Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
Manufacturing & Production Engineering
Technology & Logistics
Law
Management
Business Information Systems
Only at Aston University, Birmingham
Only at Harper Adams 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
- Harper Adams University
- £16,500
Harper Adams University is about £6,080 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Aston University, Birmingham
- £24,000
- Harper Adams University
- No data
We do not have reliable international fee data for Harper Adams 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
Harper Adams University
Mechanical Engineering
£32,000Salary (3 years)£33,00080%Satisfaction90%Business Information Systems
£33,000Salary (3 years)No data84%Satisfaction60%
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveAston University, Birmingham
View all scholarships →Harper Adams University
The Cambidge Foundation CIO Entry Scholarship 2026-27
£6,000
Deadline: Aug 2026
Wakeham Petary Entry Scholarship 2026-27
£5,000
Deadline: Aug 2026
Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship 2026-27
£3,500
Deadline: Aug 2026
Wakeham Petary Open Entry Scholarship 2026-27
£2,500
Deadline: Aug 2026
FAQ
Aston University, Birmingham vs Harper Adams University: common questions
Is Aston University, Birmingham or Harper Adams University cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £16,500 at Harper Adams University: Harper Adams University is about £6,080 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 Harper Adams University?
Both universities teach 10 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Business & Management (General), Economics, Mechanical Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Technology & Logistics, Law, Management and Business Information Systems.
Is Aston University, Birmingham or Harper Adams University better for Mechanical Engineering?
Mechanical Engineering graduates earn a median £32,000 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, and £33,000 from Harper Adams University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 80% at Aston University, Birmingham and 90% at Harper Adams University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Aston University, Birmingham or Harper Adams University offer more courses?
Aston University, Birmingham lists 169 courses on CourseOptions and Harper Adams University lists 103 courses.
What can you study at Aston University, Birmingham but not at Harper Adams University?
Aston University, Birmingham teaches 41 subject areas that Harper Adams University does not, including Business Studies, Chemical Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Marketing, Psychology (General), Biomedical Sciences, Building & Construction and 33 more.
What can you study at Harper Adams University but not at Aston University, Birmingham?
Harper Adams University teaches 11 subject areas that Aston University, Birmingham does not, including Agriculture & Land Management, Veterinary Sciences & Nursing, Ecology & Conservation, Agricultural Sciences, Animal Science, Zoology & Animal Biology, Food Science, Environmental Sciences and 3 more.
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