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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

S
SOAS University of London

London · QS World #458

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.

7/10

Aston

scored higher in 7 categories

VS

3/10

SOAS University of London

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

Aston University, Birmingham leads in 7 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, TEF, established, satisfaction, employment, graduate salary). SOAS University of London is ahead on international, courses, scholarship.

Aston University, Birmingham vs SOAS University of London at a glance

Aston University, Birmingham and SOAS University of London both teach 15 subject areas, the largest being Media & Film Studies, Politics & International Relations and Economics. Aston University, Birmingham offers 169 courses across 51 subject areas; SOAS University of London offers 296 courses across 29 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £23,780 at SOAS University of London: Aston University, Birmingham is about £1,200 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,000 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £25,320 at SOAS University of London: Aston University, Birmingham is about £1,320 a year cheaper.

Of the 4 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Aston University, Birmingham is higher in 2 and SOAS University of London in 2. The widest gap is in Law: £23,000 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, against £28,000 from SOAS University of London. Of the 5 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Aston University, Birmingham is higher in 3 and SOAS University of London in 2.

World & National Rankings

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

#416
QS World
#458
#401
THE World
#401
#39
Guardian UK
#86
1895
Established
1916
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

SOAS University of London

85.2%
84.1%

Satisfaction

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

£37,600
£32,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.5%
74.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.1%
25.7%

International

International student share

169
296

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
27

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

SOAS University of London

67 countries · 25.7% international

  • 🇨🇳China10.9%
  • 🇮🇳India10.6%
  • 🇺🇸United States9.4%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan7.6%
  • 🇫🇷France3.6%

Subjects

15 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

SOAS University of London

Only at Aston University, Birmingham

Only at SOAS 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
SOAS University of London
£23,780

Aston University, Birmingham is about £1,200 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Aston University, Birmingham
£24,000
SOAS University of London
£25,320

Aston University, Birmingham is about £1,320 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

SOAS University of London

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    81%Satisfaction90%

  • Economics

    £35,500Salary (3 years)£35,000
    95%Satisfaction83%

  • Law

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    89%Satisfaction77%

  • History

    No dataSalary (3 years)£26,500
    95%Satisfaction89%

  • Accounting

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    86%Satisfaction88%

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Aston University, Birmingham

View all scholarships →

SOAS University of London

SOAS International Academic Excellence Scholarship

£20,000

Deadline: May 2026

SOAS Sustainable Development Goal Scholarship

£15,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

Commonwealth Shared Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Programme

100%

Deadline: N/A

SOAS Academic Excellence Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: May 2026

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Aston University, Birmingham vs SOAS University of London: common questions

Is Aston University, Birmingham or SOAS 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 £23,780 at SOAS University of London: Aston University, Birmingham is about £1,200 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,000 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £25,320 at SOAS University of London: Aston University, Birmingham is about £1,320 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 SOAS University of London?

Both universities teach 15 subject areas: Media & Film Studies, Politics & International Relations, Economics, Law, Business & Management (General), History, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Sociology & Criminology, Civil Engineering, Accounting, Linguistics and 3 more.

Is Aston University, Birmingham or SOAS 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 £31,000 from SOAS University of London. Student satisfaction with teaching is 81% at Aston University, Birmingham and 90% at SOAS University of London. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

SOAS University of London lists 296 courses on CourseOptions and Aston University, Birmingham lists 169 courses.

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

Aston University, Birmingham teaches 36 subject areas that SOAS University of London does not, including Business Studies, Chemical Engineering, Marketing, Psychology (General), Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biomedical Sciences, Building & Construction, General Engineering and 28 more.

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

SOAS University of London teaches 14 subject areas that Aston University, Birmingham does not, including Asian Languages & Studies, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Ancient Languages, Anthropology, Creative Arts (General), History of Art & Design, Music, International Development and 6 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
S
SOAS University of London296 courses · 27 scholarshipsBrowse Courses