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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
Southampton, Solent University

Southampton

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 7 datapoints

We looked at 7 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

3/7

Aston

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

4/7

Southampton

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

Southampton, Solent University leads in 4 of 7 categories where both have data (established, satisfaction, courses, scholarship). Aston University, Birmingham is ahead on employment, international, graduate salary.

Aston University, Birmingham vs Southampton, Solent University at a glance

Aston University, Birmingham and Southampton, Solent University both teach 27 subject areas, the largest being Business Studies, Design & Fashion and Business & Management (General). Aston University, Birmingham offers 169 courses across 51 subject areas; Southampton, Solent University offers 294 courses across 42 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £19,080 at Southampton, Solent University: Southampton, Solent University is about £3,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,000 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £18,350 at Southampton, Solent University: Southampton, Solent University is about £5,650 a year cheaper.

Of the 16 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Aston University, Birmingham is higher in 16 and Southampton, Solent University in 0. The widest gap is in Adult Nursing: £36,000 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, against £21,000 from Southampton, Solent University. Of the 14 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Southampton, Solent University is higher in 9 and Aston University, Birmingham in 4, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#416
QS World
—
#401
THE World
—
#39
Guardian UK
—
1895
Established
1855
No
Russell Group
No
Gold
TEF Rating
Gold

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.

Aston University, Birmingham

Southampton, Solent University

85.2%
88.2%

Satisfaction

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

£37,600
£28,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.5%
82.5%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.1%
14.9%

International

International student share

169
294

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
11

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

Southampton

56 countries · 14.9% international

  • 🇮🇳India39%
  • 🇳🇴Norway6.3%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria4.3%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia4.3%
  • 🌐Morocco2.4%

Subjects

27 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

Southampton, Solent University

Also taught at both: Social Sciences (General), Politics & International Relations, Biomedical Sciences, General Engineering, Management, Marketing, Technology & Logistics, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Information Systems & Data Science, Mathematics, Health & Social Care, Adult Nursing.

Only at Aston University, Birmingham

Only at Southampton, Solent 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
Southampton, Solent University
£19,080

Southampton, Solent University is about £3,500 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Aston University, Birmingham
£24,000
Southampton, Solent University
£18,350

Southampton, Solent University is about £5,650 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

Southampton, Solent University

  • Business Studies

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    82%Satisfaction93%

  • Accounting

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    86%SatisfactionNo data

  • Computer Science

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    85%Satisfaction84%

  • Law

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£21,500
    89%Satisfaction96%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    89%Satisfaction88%

  • Building & Construction

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    82%Satisfaction97%

  • Software Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    84%Satisfaction84%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    85%Satisfaction81%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    64%Satisfaction86%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    80%Satisfaction83%

  • Psychology (General)

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    92%Satisfaction89%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    87%Satisfaction88%

Showing the 12 largest of 16 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Aston University, Birmingham

View all scholarships →

Southampton, Solent University

Solent Postgraduate Taught International Excellence Scholarship

£1,500

Deadline: N/A

Carers Bursary

£1,200

Deadline: Jun 2026

Gypsy, Roma, Traveller, Showman, Boater community bursary

£500

Deadline: Jun 2026

Undergraduate Apprenticeship Bursary

£200

Deadline: Jun 2026

Parents bursary

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Aston University, Birmingham vs Southampton, Solent University: common questions

Is Aston University, Birmingham or Southampton, Solent University cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £19,080 at Southampton, Solent University: Southampton, Solent University is about £3,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,000 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £18,350 at Southampton, Solent University: Southampton, Solent University is about £5,650 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 Southampton, Solent University?

Both universities teach 27 subject areas: Business Studies, Design & Fashion, Business & Management (General), Accounting, Computer Science, Law, Sociology & Criminology, Building & Construction, Media & Film Studies, Software Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Electronic & Electrical Engineering and 15 more.

Is Aston University, Birmingham or Southampton, Solent University better for Business Studies?

Business Studies graduates earn a median £30,500 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, and £22,500 from Southampton, Solent University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 82% at Aston University, Birmingham and 93% at Southampton, Solent University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Aston University, Birmingham or Southampton, Solent University offer more courses?

Southampton, Solent University lists 294 courses on CourseOptions and Aston University, Birmingham lists 169 courses.

What can you study at Aston University, Birmingham but not at Southampton, Solent University?

Aston University, Birmingham teaches 24 subject areas that Southampton, Solent University does not, including Economics, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biomedical Engineering, Civil Engineering, English Language, History, Human Resource Management, Aerospace Engineering and 16 more.

What can you study at Southampton, Solent University but not at Aston University, Birmingham?

Southampton, Solent University teaches 15 subject areas that Aston University, Birmingham does not, including Sport & Exercise Sciences, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Film Production & Cinematography, Music, Games Design & Computer Animation, Architecture, Journalism, Crafts & Applied Arts and 7 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
Southampton, Solent University294 courses · 11 scholarshipsBrowse Courses