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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

T
The University of Edinburgh

Edinburgh · QS World #35

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.

1/10

Aston

scored higher in 1 category

VS

9/10

Edinburgh

scored higher in 9 categories

Quick Verdict

The University of Edinburgh leads in 9 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, international, courses, scholarship). Aston University, Birmingham is ahead on employment.

Aston University, Birmingham vs The University of Edinburgh at a glance

Aston University, Birmingham and The University of Edinburgh both teach 46 subject areas, the largest being Law, Business Studies and Computer Science. Aston University, Birmingham offers 169 courses across 51 subject areas; The University of Edinburgh offers 936 courses across 116 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £29,600 at The University of Edinburgh: Aston University, Birmingham is about £7,020 a year cheaper.

Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, The University of Edinburgh is higher in 20 and Aston University, Birmingham in 2. The widest gap is in Adult Nursing: £36,000 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, against £28,500 from The University of Edinburgh. Of the 23 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Aston University, Birmingham is higher in 16 and The University of Edinburgh in 6, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#416
QS World
#35
#401
THE World
#29
#39
Guardian UK
#17
1895
Established
1583
No
Russell Group
Yes
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

The University of Edinburgh

85.2%
85.3%

Satisfaction

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

£37,600
£37,600

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.5%
83%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.1%
41.6%

International

International student share

169
936

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
112

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

Edinburgh

122 countries · 41.6% international

  • 🇨🇳China44.5%
  • 🇺🇸United States9.3%
  • 🇮🇳India5.4%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia2.7%
  • 🇨🇦Canada2.4%

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

The University of Edinburgh

Also taught at both: Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biomedical Sciences, Chemical Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, General Engineering, Public Health & Epidemiology, Media & Film Studies, Business & Management (General), Information Systems & Data Science, Social Sciences (General), Building & Construction, English Language, Marketing, Mechanical Engineering, Biochemistry, Accounting, Biomedical Engineering, Clinical & Health Psychology, Management, Software Engineering, Biotechnology, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Statistics, Technology & Logistics, Aerospace Engineering, Health & Social Care, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Personal & Professional Development, Adult Nursing, Healthcare Science, Mental Health Nursing.

Only at Aston University, Birmingham

Only at The University of 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
The University of Edinburgh
£29,600

Aston University, Birmingham is about £7,020 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Aston University, Birmingham
£24,000
The University of Edinburgh
No data

We do not have reliable international fee data for The University of Edinburgh yet.

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

The University of Edinburgh

  • Law

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    89%Satisfaction86%

  • Business Studies

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    82%Satisfaction80%

  • Computer Science

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£37,000
    85%Satisfaction74%

  • History

    No dataSalary (3 years)£28,000
    95%Satisfaction88%

  • Mathematics

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    94%Satisfaction81%

  • Medicine

    No dataSalary (3 years)£48,500
    90%Satisfaction80%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£34,000
    64%Satisfaction81%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    89%Satisfaction82%

  • Biological Sciences (General)

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    94%Satisfaction87%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    81%Satisfaction87%

  • Psychology (General)

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    92%Satisfaction83%

  • Economics

    £35,500Salary (3 years)£38,000
    95%Satisfaction81%

Showing the 12 largest of 24 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Aston University, Birmingham

View all scholarships →

The University of Edinburgh

Asylum Seeker Scholarship

£21,000

Deadline: N/A

Education Beyond Borders postgraduate scholarship

£20,780

Deadline: N/A

Cameron Law Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Online Learning Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Rosedale OSSD University of Edinburgh Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Aston University, Birmingham vs The University of Edinburgh: common questions

Is Aston University, Birmingham or The University of Edinburgh cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £29,600 at The University of Edinburgh: Aston University, Birmingham is about £7,020 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 The University of Edinburgh?

Both universities teach 46 subject areas: Law, Business Studies, Computer Science, History, Mathematics, Medicine, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Sociology & Criminology, Biological Sciences (General), Politics & International Relations, Psychology (General), Design & Fashion and 34 more.

Is Aston University, Birmingham or The University of Edinburgh better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £23,000 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, and £26,500 from The University of Edinburgh. Student satisfaction with teaching is 89% at Aston University, Birmingham and 86% at The University of Edinburgh. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Aston University, Birmingham or The University of Edinburgh offer more courses?

The University of Edinburgh lists 936 courses on CourseOptions and Aston University, Birmingham lists 169 courses.

What can you study at Aston University, Birmingham but not at The University of Edinburgh?

Aston University, Birmingham teaches 5 subject areas that The University of Edinburgh does not, including Human Resource Management, Business Information Systems, English Studies, Optometry & Ophthalmics and Pharmacy.

What can you study at The University of Edinburgh but not at Aston University, Birmingham?

The University of Edinburgh teaches 70 subject areas that Aston University, Birmingham does not, including Theology & Religious Studies, German & Scandinavian Studies, Teacher Training, Physics, French, Philosophy, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Classical Studies and 62 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
T
The University of Edinburgh936 courses · 112 scholarshipsBrowse Courses