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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

R
Royal Holloway, University of London

Egham · QS World #485

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

Royal Holloway

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

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

Aston University, Birmingham vs Royal Holloway, University of London at a glance

Aston University, Birmingham and Royal Holloway, University of London both teach 26 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Computer Science and Economics. Aston University, Birmingham offers 169 courses across 51 subject areas; Royal Holloway, University of London offers 351 courses across 60 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £26,800 at Royal Holloway, University of London: Aston University, Birmingham is about £4,220 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,000 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £26,400 at Royal Holloway, University of London: Aston University, Birmingham is about £2,400 a year cheaper.

Of the 10 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Royal Holloway, University of London is higher in 5 and Aston University, Birmingham in 4, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £33,000 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, against £41,000 from Royal Holloway, University of London. Of the 13 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Aston University, Birmingham is higher in 8 and Royal Holloway, University of London in 5.

World & National Rankings

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

#416
QS World
#485
#401
THE World
#401
#39
Guardian UK
#45
1895
Established
1879
No
Russell Group
No
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

Royal Holloway, University of London

85.2%
85.7%

Satisfaction

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

£37,600
£36,152.9

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.5%
78.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.1%
16.7%

International

International student share

169
351

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
32

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

Royal Holloway

79 countries · 16.7% international

  • 🇮🇳India17.8%
  • 🇨🇳China8.2%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan8.2%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5%
  • 🇺🇸United States4.8%

Subjects

26 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

Royal Holloway, University of London

Also taught at both: Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biomedical Sciences, Media & Film Studies, Human Resource Management, Accounting, English Language, Clinical & Health Psychology, Biological Sciences (General), English Studies, Health & Social Care, Social Sciences (General).

Only at Aston University, Birmingham

Only at Royal Holloway, University of London

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
Royal Holloway, University of London
£26,800

Aston University, Birmingham is about £4,220 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Aston University, Birmingham
£24,000
Royal Holloway, University of London
£26,400

Aston University, Birmingham is about £2,400 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

Royal Holloway, University of London

  • Politics & International Relations

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

  • Computer Science

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£41,000
    85%Satisfaction83%

  • Economics

    £35,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    95%Satisfaction84%

  • Law

    £23,000Salary (3 years)No data
    89%Satisfaction84%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £32,500Salary (3 years)No data
    64%Satisfaction98%

  • Mathematics

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    94%Satisfaction83%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    89%Satisfaction84%

  • History

    No dataSalary (3 years)£25,500
    95%Satisfaction94%

  • Biochemistry

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    92%Satisfaction89%

  • Marketing

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    79%Satisfaction83%

  • Psychology (General)

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    92%Satisfaction88%

  • Accounting

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    86%Satisfaction90%

Showing the 12 largest of 13 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Aston University, Birmingham

View all scholarships →

Royal Holloway, University of London

International Partners Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Katayoon Behboodi Scholarship 2026

See details

Deadline: N/A

Mary Anning Scholarship 2026

See details

Deadline: N/A

Barbara Raw Scholarships for English

See details

Deadline: N/A

Barbara Raw for English Access Scholarship 2026

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Aston University, Birmingham vs Royal Holloway, University of London: common questions

Is Aston University, Birmingham or Royal Holloway, University of London cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £26,800 at Royal Holloway, University of London: Aston University, Birmingham is about £4,220 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,000 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £26,400 at Royal Holloway, University of London: Aston University, Birmingham is about £2,400 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 Royal Holloway, University of London?

Both universities teach 26 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Computer Science, Economics, Law, Business Studies, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, Sociology & Criminology, History, Management, Biochemistry, Business & Management (General) and 14 more.

Is Aston University, Birmingham or Royal Holloway, University of London better for Politics & International Relations?

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £27,500 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, and £27,500 from Royal Holloway, University of London. Student satisfaction with teaching is 81% at Aston University, Birmingham and 88% at Royal Holloway, University of London. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Aston University, Birmingham or Royal Holloway, University of London offer more courses?

Royal Holloway, University of London lists 351 courses on CourseOptions and Aston University, Birmingham lists 169 courses.

What can you study at Aston University, Birmingham but not at Royal Holloway, University of London?

Aston University, Birmingham teaches 25 subject areas that Royal Holloway, University of London does not, including Chemical Engineering, Building & Construction, General Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Information Systems & Data Science, Mechanical Engineering, Software Engineering and 17 more.

What can you study at Royal Holloway, University of London but not at Aston University, Birmingham?

Royal Holloway, University of London teaches 34 subject areas that Aston University, Birmingham does not, including Geology & Earth Sciences, Music, German & Scandinavian Studies, Physics, Classical Studies, Drama & Theatre, English Literature, Ancient Languages and 26 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
R
Royal Holloway, University of London351 courses · 32 scholarshipsBrowse Courses