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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

U
UCL (University College London)

Camden · QS World #8

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 12 datapoints

We looked at 12 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

2/12

Aston

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

10/12

UCL (University College London)

scored higher in 10 categories

Quick Verdict

UCL (University College London) leads in 10 of 12 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Aston University, Birmingham is ahead on TEF, employment.

Aston University, Birmingham vs UCL (University College London) at a glance

Aston University, Birmingham and UCL (University College London) both teach 45 subject areas, the largest being Psychology (General), Biomedical Sciences and Mathematics. Aston University, Birmingham offers 169 courses across 51 subject areas; UCL (University College London) offers 1,131 courses across 109 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £29,800 at UCL (University College London): Aston University, Birmingham is about £7,220 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,000 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £34,700 at UCL (University College London): Aston University, Birmingham is about £10,700 a year cheaper.

Of the 18 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, UCL (University College London) is higher in 18 and Aston University, Birmingham in 0. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £33,000 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, against £51,000 from UCL (University College London). Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Aston University, Birmingham is higher in 11 and UCL (University College London) in 7, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#416
QS World
#8
#401
THE World
#22
#39
Guardian UK
#9
1895
Established
1826
No
Russell Group
Yes
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

UCL (University College London)

85.2%
86.5%

Satisfaction

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

£37,600
£46,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.5%
80.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.1%
51.9%

International

International student share

169
1131

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
18

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

UCL (University College London)

127 countries · 51.9% international

  • 🇨🇳China53.3%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.9%
  • 🇺🇸United States4.2%
  • 🇮🇳India3.4%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore2.4%

Subjects

45 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

UCL (University College London)

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

Only at Aston University, Birmingham

Only at UCL (University College 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
UCL (University College London)
£29,800

Aston University, Birmingham is about £7,220 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Aston University, Birmingham
£24,000
UCL (University College London)
£34,700

Aston University, Birmingham is about £10,700 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

UCL (University College London)

  • Psychology (General)

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    92%Satisfaction90%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£34,500
    90%Satisfaction79%

  • Mathematics

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£41,000
    94%Satisfaction87%

  • Computer Science

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£51,000
    85%Satisfaction80%

  • Economics

    £35,500Salary (3 years)£45,000
    95%Satisfaction79%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    81%Satisfaction87%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    89%Satisfaction87%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£40,000
    64%Satisfaction90%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£40,000
    87%Satisfaction81%

  • Civil Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£35,000
    83%Satisfaction73%

  • Business Studies

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£38,000
    82%Satisfaction85%

  • General Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£38,500
    75%Satisfaction94%

Showing the 12 largest of 20 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Aston University, Birmingham

View all scholarships →

UCL (University College London)

Commercial Bar Opportunity Scholarship

£25,000

Deadline: N/A

AHRC Doctoral Landscape Award

100%

Deadline: N/A

UCL Department of Arts and Sciences (UASc) Interdisciplinary Excellence PhD Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Law Society Pro Bono Bursary

£250

Deadline: N/A

Alonso Gurmendi Dunkelberg, UCL Graduate Research Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Aston University, Birmingham vs UCL (University College London): common questions

Is Aston University, Birmingham or UCL (University College London) cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £29,800 at UCL (University College London): Aston University, Birmingham is about £7,220 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,000 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £34,700 at UCL (University College London): Aston University, Birmingham is about £10,700 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 UCL (University College London)?

Both universities teach 45 subject areas: Psychology (General), Biomedical Sciences, Mathematics, Computer Science, Economics, Politics & International Relations, Sociology & Criminology, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Business & Management (General), Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering and 33 more.

Is Aston University, Birmingham or UCL (University College London) better for Psychology (General)?

Psychology (General) graduates earn a median £24,500 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, and £27,500 from UCL (University College London). Student satisfaction with teaching is 92% at Aston University, Birmingham and 90% at UCL (University College London). Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Aston University, Birmingham or UCL (University College London) offer more courses?

UCL (University College London) lists 1,131 courses on CourseOptions and Aston University, Birmingham lists 169 courses.

What can you study at Aston University, Birmingham but not at UCL (University College London)?

Aston University, Birmingham teaches 6 subject areas that UCL (University College London) does not, including Human Resource Management, Technology & Logistics, Aerospace Engineering, Personal & Professional Development, Adult Nursing and Business Information Systems.

What can you study at UCL (University College London) but not at Aston University, Birmingham?

UCL (University College London) teaches 64 subject areas that Aston University, Birmingham does not, including German & Scandinavian Studies, Eastern European Languages, Childhood & Youth Studies, Ancient Languages, French, Geology & Earth Sciences, Planning & Housing, Italian and 56 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
U
UCL (University College London)1,131 courses · 18 scholarshipsBrowse Courses