Skip to main content

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
University College Birmingham

Birmingham

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 8 datapoints

We looked at 8 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

5/8

Aston

scored higher in 5 categories

VS

3/8

University College Birmingham

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

Aston University, Birmingham leads in 5 of 8 categories where both have data (TEF, established, employment, graduate salary, courses). University College Birmingham is ahead on satisfaction, international, scholarship.

Aston University, Birmingham vs University College Birmingham at a glance

Aston University, Birmingham and University College Birmingham both teach 21 subject areas, the largest being Business Studies, Building & Construction and Finance & Actuarial Science. Aston University, Birmingham offers 169 courses across 51 subject areas; University College Birmingham offers 115 courses across 36 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £13,500 at University College Birmingham: University College Birmingham is about £9,080 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,000 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £17,000 at University College Birmingham: University College Birmingham is about £7,000 a year cheaper.

Of the 3 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Aston University, Birmingham is higher in 3 and University College Birmingham in 0. The widest gap is in Finance & Actuarial Science: £30,000 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, against £20,000 from University College Birmingham. Of the 9 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University College Birmingham is higher in 7 and Aston University, Birmingham in 0, with 2 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
1957
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

University College Birmingham

85.2%
88.3%

Satisfaction

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

£37,600
£25,600

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.5%
77.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.1%
47%

International

International student share

169
115

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
7

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

University College Birmingham

26 countries · 47% international

  • 🌐Nepal48.9%
  • 🇮🇳India24.7%
  • 🇨🇳China11.5%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh3.8%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan3.3%

Subjects

21 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

University College Birmingham

  • Business Studies

    18 courses

    Typical fee £23,500 (UG)

    5 courses

    Typical fee £13,500 (UG)

  • Building & Construction

    5 courses

    Typical fee £22,580 (UG)

    7 courses

    Typical fee £17,000 (PG)

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    6 courses

    Typical fee £23,500 (UG)

    5 courses

    Typical fee £13,500 (UG)

  • Marketing

    6 courses

    Typical fee £23,500 (UG)

    3 courses

    Typical fee £16,000 (UG)

  • Psychology (General)

    6 courses

    Typical fee £22,580 (UG)

    3 courses

    Typical fee £17,000 (PG)

  • Business & Management (General)

    4 courses

    Typical fee £23,500 (PG)

    4 courses

    Typical fee £13,500 (UG)

  • Politics & International Relations

    7 courses

    Typical fee £22,580 (UG)

    1 course

    Typical fee £17,000 (PG)

  • Sociology & Criminology

    4 courses

    Typical fee £22,580 (UG)

    4 courses

    Typical fee £16,000 (UG)

  • Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning

    5 courses

    Typical fee £22,580 (UG)

    1 course

    Fee not available

  • Civil Engineering

    4 courses

    Typical fee £22,580 (UG)

    2 courses

    Typical fee £13,500 (UG)

  • Health & Social Care

    1 course

    Typical fee £24,800 (PG)

    5 courses

    Typical fee £13,500 (UG)

  • Mechanical Engineering

    4 courses

    Typical fee £22,580 (UG)

    2 courses

    Fee not available

  • Software Engineering

    4 courses

    Typical fee £22,580 (UG)

    2 courses

    Typical fee £13,500 (UG)

  • Computer Science

    3 courses

    Typical fee £22,580 (UG)

    2 courses

    Typical fee £13,500 (UG)

  • Clinical & Health Psychology

    2 courses

    Typical fee £24,800 (PG)

    2 courses

    Fee not available

Also taught at both: Design & Fashion, Adult Nursing, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Public Health & Epidemiology, Business Information Systems, Mental Health Nursing.

Only at Aston University, Birmingham

Only at University College Birmingham

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
University College Birmingham
£13,500

University College Birmingham is about £9,080 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Aston University, Birmingham
£24,000
University College Birmingham
£17,000

University College Birmingham is about £7,000 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

University College Birmingham

  • Business Studies

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    82%Satisfaction86%

  • Building & Construction

    £32,500Salary (3 years)No data
    82%Satisfaction91%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    85%Satisfaction89%

  • Marketing

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£20,000
    79%Satisfaction85%

  • Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning

    £33,000Salary (3 years)No data
    84%Satisfaction86%

  • Software Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)No data
    84%Satisfaction89%

  • Computer Science

    £33,000Salary (3 years)No data
    85%Satisfaction87%

  • Adult Nursing

    £36,000Salary (3 years)No data
    91%Satisfaction91%

  • Mental Health Nursing

    £36,000Salary (3 years)No data
    91%Satisfaction91%

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Aston University, Birmingham

View all scholarships →

University College Birmingham

GREAT Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Vice-Chancellor's Award

100%

Deadline: N/A

Dean's Award

50%

Deadline: N/A

Early Action Scholarship

£4,500

Deadline: Jul 2026

Alumni Scholarship

25%

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Aston University, Birmingham vs University College Birmingham: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £13,500 at University College Birmingham: University College Birmingham is about £9,080 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,000 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £17,000 at University College Birmingham: University College Birmingham is about £7,000 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 University College Birmingham?

Both universities teach 21 subject areas: Business Studies, Building & Construction, Finance & Actuarial Science, Marketing, Psychology (General), Business & Management (General), Politics & International Relations, Sociology & Criminology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Civil Engineering, Health & Social Care, Mechanical Engineering and 9 more.

Is Aston University, Birmingham or University College Birmingham better for Business Studies?

Business Studies graduates earn a median £30,500 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, and £21,000 from University College Birmingham. Student satisfaction with teaching is 82% at Aston University, Birmingham and 86% at University College Birmingham. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

Aston University, Birmingham lists 169 courses on CourseOptions and University College Birmingham lists 115 courses.

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

Aston University, Birmingham teaches 30 subject areas that University College Birmingham does not, including Chemical Engineering, Economics, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, General Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, English Language, History and 22 more.

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

University College Birmingham teaches 15 subject areas that Aston University, Birmingham does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Food Science, Childhood & Youth Studies, Food Production & Technology, Planning & Housing, Crafts & Applied Arts, Education Studies 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
U
University College Birmingham115 courses · 7 scholarshipsBrowse Courses