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
Edinburgh · QS World #1201
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.
4/8
Aston
scored higher in 4 categories
4/8
Queen Margaret
scored higher in 4 categories
Quick Verdict
Aston University, Birmingham and Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh are evenly matched: each leads in 4 of 8 categories where both have data. Aston University, Birmingham is ahead on ranking, international, graduate salary, courses; Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh on established, satisfaction, employment, scholarship.
Aston University, Birmingham vs Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh at a glance
Aston University, Birmingham and Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh both teach 12 subject areas, the largest being Business Studies, Business & Management (General) and Psychology (General). Aston University, Birmingham offers 169 courses across 51 subject areas; Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh offers 68 courses across 25 subject areas.
For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,000 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £18,460 at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh: Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh is about £5,540 a year cheaper.
Of the 4 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Aston University, Birmingham is higher in 4 and Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh in 0. The widest gap is in Marketing: £28,500 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, against £22,000 from Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh. Of the 4 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Aston University, Birmingham is higher in 2 and Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh in 2.
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
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
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%
Queen Margaret
51 countries · 18.6% international
- 🇮🇪Ireland29%
- 🌐Nepal9.8%
- 🇨🇦Canada8.2%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria6.1%
- 🇺🇸United States4.5%
Subjects
12 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
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
Business Studies
18 coursesTypical fee £23,500 (UG)
4 coursesTypical fee £18,460 (PG)
Business & Management (General)
Psychology (General)
Marketing
Politics & International Relations
Finance & Actuarial Science
Sociology & Criminology
Health Sciences & Paramedic Science
Adult Nursing
Media & Film Studies
Design & Fashion
Health & Social Care
Only at Aston University, Birmingham
Only at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
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
- Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
- No data
We do not have reliable international fee data for Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh yet.
Postgraduate
- Aston University, Birmingham
- £24,000
- Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
- £18,460
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh is about £5,540 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
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
Psychology (General)
£24,500Salary (3 years)£21,00092%Satisfaction82%Marketing
£28,500Salary (3 years)£22,00079%Satisfaction76%Sociology & Criminology
£23,000Salary (3 years)£21,00089%Satisfaction94%Adult Nursing
£36,000Salary (3 years)£30,00091%Satisfaction100%
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveAston University, Birmingham
View all scholarships →Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
Scottish Highlands & Islands Schools Scholarship
£500
Deadline: Jun 2026
Alison Scott Scholarship
See details
Deadline: N/A
The Alison Scott Scholarship
See details
Deadline: N/A
FAQ
Aston University, Birmingham vs Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh: common questions
Is Aston University, Birmingham or Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh cheaper for international students?
For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,000 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £18,460 at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh: Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh is about £5,540 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 Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh?
Both universities teach 12 subject areas: Business Studies, Business & Management (General), Psychology (General), Marketing, Politics & International Relations, Finance & Actuarial Science, Sociology & Criminology, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Adult Nursing, Media & Film Studies, Design & Fashion and Health & Social Care.
Is Aston University, Birmingham or Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh better for Psychology (General)?
Psychology (General) graduates earn a median £24,500 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, and £21,000 from Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh. Student satisfaction with teaching is 92% at Aston University, Birmingham and 82% at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Aston University, Birmingham or Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh offer more courses?
Aston University, Birmingham lists 169 courses on CourseOptions and Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh lists 68 courses.
What can you study at Aston University, Birmingham but not at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh?
Aston University, Birmingham teaches 39 subject areas that Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh does not, including Chemical Engineering, Economics, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biomedical Sciences, Building & Construction, General Engineering, Biomedical Engineering and 31 more.
What can you study at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh but not at Aston University, Birmingham?
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh teaches 13 subject areas that Aston University, Birmingham does not, including Nutrition & Dietetics, Teacher Training, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Drama & Theatre, Education Studies, Complementary & Alternative Medicine, Cultural Studies, Medical Imaging and 5 more.
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