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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
Swansea University

Swansea · QS World #322

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.

4/10

Aston

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

6/10

Swansea

scored higher in 6 categories

Quick Verdict

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

Aston University, Birmingham vs Swansea University at a glance

Aston University, Birmingham and Swansea University both teach 46 subject areas, the largest being Law, Politics & International Relations and Computer Science. Aston University, Birmingham offers 169 courses across 51 subject areas; Swansea University offers 916 courses across 97 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £21,550 at Swansea University: Swansea University is about £1,030 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,000 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £22,950 at Swansea University: Swansea University is about £1,050 a year cheaper.

Of the 27 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Aston University, Birmingham is higher in 23 and Swansea University in 4. The widest gap is in Adult Nursing: £36,000 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, against £27,000 from Swansea University. Of the 26 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Aston University, Birmingham is higher in 14 and Swansea University in 11, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#416
QS World
#322
#401
THE World
#301
#39
Guardian UK
#32
1895
Established
1920
No
Russell Group
No
Gold
TEF Rating
—

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Aston University, Birmingham

Swansea University

85.2%
86.1%

Satisfaction

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

£37,600
£31,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.5%
78.5%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.1%
14.1%

International

International student share

169
916

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
5

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

Swansea

73 countries · 14.1% international

  • 🇮🇳India25.4%
  • 🇨🇳China12.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria8.2%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia4.5%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong3.9%

Subjects

46 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

Swansea University

Also taught at both: Psychology (General), General Engineering, Media & Film Studies, Biochemistry, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Accounting, Health & Social Care, Biomedical Engineering, English Language, Marketing, Building & Construction, English Studies, Human Resource Management, Linguistics, Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biotechnology, Healthcare Science, Information Systems & Data Science, Public Health & Epidemiology, Adult Nursing, Design & Fashion, Mental Health Nursing, Clinical & Health Psychology, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Pharmacy, Social Sciences (General), Biological Sciences (General), Management, Medicine.

Only at Aston University, Birmingham

Only at Swansea 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
Swansea University
£21,550

Swansea University is about £1,030 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Aston University, Birmingham
£24,000
Swansea University
£22,950

Swansea University is about £1,050 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

Swansea University

  • Law

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    89%Satisfaction82%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    81%Satisfaction90%

  • Computer Science

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£31,500
    85%Satisfaction84%

  • Business Studies

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    82%Satisfaction82%

  • Economics

    £35,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    95%Satisfaction90%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    89%Satisfaction87%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    85%Satisfaction90%

  • Mathematics

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    94%Satisfaction86%

  • History

    No dataSalary (3 years)£21,500
    95%Satisfaction90%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    64%Satisfaction69%

  • Civil Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    83%Satisfaction79%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    90%Satisfaction92%

Showing the 12 largest of 29 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Aston University, Birmingham

View all scholarships →

Swansea University

History and Heritage Studies: AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership Studentship (Fully Funded) in History with Museum Wales (RS950)

100%

Deadline: N/A

History: AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership Studentship (Fully Funded) in History with The National Archives (RS948)

100%

Deadline: N/A

History: AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership Studentship in History with Museum Wales (RS949)

See details

Deadline: N/A

PhD Studentship in Sustainable Fusion Steels: Whole Lifecycle Design of Tokamak Vacuum Vessel Steels (RS964)

See details

Deadline: N/A

Swansea University International Postgraduate Research Excellence Scholarships 2025/26

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Aston University, Birmingham vs Swansea University: common questions

Is Aston University, Birmingham or Swansea University cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £21,550 at Swansea University: Swansea University is about £1,030 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,000 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £22,950 at Swansea University: Swansea University is about £1,050 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 Swansea University?

Both universities teach 46 subject areas: Law, Politics & International Relations, Computer Science, Business & Management (General), Business Studies, Economics, Sociology & Criminology, Finance & Actuarial Science, Mathematics, History, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science and 34 more.

Is Aston University, Birmingham or Swansea University better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £23,000 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, and £21,000 from Swansea University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 89% at Aston University, Birmingham and 82% at Swansea University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Aston University, Birmingham or Swansea University offer more courses?

Swansea University lists 916 courses on CourseOptions and Aston University, Birmingham lists 169 courses.

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

Aston University, Birmingham teaches 5 subject areas that Swansea University does not, including Technology & Logistics, Personal & Professional Development, Business Information Systems, Optometry & Ophthalmics and Statistics.

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

Swansea University teaches 51 subject areas that Aston University, Birmingham does not, including Physics, Teacher Training, Genetics & Genomics, Education Studies, American & Comparative Studies, Medical Sciences, Classical Studies, English Literature and 43 more.

Ready to explore courses?

Browse available courses, check entry requirements, and find scholarships at each university.

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Aston University, Birmingham169 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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Swansea University916 courses · 5 scholarshipsBrowse Courses