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.
Birmingham · QS World #416
Luton · Guardian UK #99
Head-to-Head Summary
Based on 9 datapoints
We looked at 9 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.
5/9
Aston
scored higher in 5 categories
4/9
Bedfordshire
scored higher in 4 categories
Quick Verdict
Aston University, Birmingham leads in 5 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, TEF, employment, graduate salary). University of Bedfordshire is ahead on established, satisfaction, international, courses.
Aston University, Birmingham vs University of Bedfordshire at a glance
Aston University, Birmingham and University of Bedfordshire both teach 33 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Business Studies and Computer Science. Aston University, Birmingham offers 169 courses across 51 subject areas; University of Bedfordshire offers 306 courses across 59 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £16,900 at University of Bedfordshire: University of Bedfordshire is about £5,680 a year cheaper.
Of the 15 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Aston University, Birmingham is higher in 14 and University of Bedfordshire in 1. The widest gap is in Optometry & Ophthalmics: £36,500 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, against £19,500 from University of Bedfordshire. Of the 17 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Aston University, Birmingham is higher in 8 and University of Bedfordshire in 8, with 1 about level.
World & National Rankings
Compare world and national league table positions, TEF ratings, and Russell Group membership.
Visual Breakdown
Key metrics at a glance
Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.
Aston University, Birmingham
University of Bedfordshire
Satisfaction
Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)
Graduate Salaries (5y)
Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation
Employment
Graduate employment rate
International
International student share
Course Counts
Number of courses offered
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%
Bedfordshire
31 countries · 30.1% international
- 🇮🇳India56.2%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan10.2%
- 🇧🇩Bangladesh8.1%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria7.9%
- 🇷🇴Romania4.6%
Subjects
33 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 of Bedfordshire
Business & Management (General)
4 coursesTypical fee £23,500 (PG)
44 coursesTypical fee £16,900 (UG)
Business Studies
18 coursesTypical fee £23,500 (UG)
9 coursesTypical fee £16,900 (UG)
Computer Science
3 coursesTypical fee £22,580 (UG)
12 coursesTypical fee £16,900 (UG)
Human Resource Management
4 coursesTypical fee £23,500 (UG)
11 coursesTypical fee £16,700 (PG)
Law
2 coursesTypical fee £22,580 (UG)
13 coursesTypical fee £16,900 (UG)
Marketing
Psychology (General)
Accounting
3 coursesTypical fee £23,500 (UG)
10 coursesTypical fee £16,900 (UG)
Electronic & Electrical Engineering
Building & Construction
English Language
Health Sciences & Paramedic Science
Sociology & Criminology
Software Engineering
Design & Fashion
Also taught at both: Economics, Biomedical Sciences, General Engineering, Politics & International Relations, Finance & Actuarial Science, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Health & Social Care, Media & Film Studies, Mental Health Nursing, Public Health & Epidemiology, Adult Nursing, Biological Sciences (General), Biotechnology, Technology & Logistics, Linguistics, Social Sciences (General), Optometry & Ophthalmics.
Only at Aston University, 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 of Bedfordshire
- £16,900
University of Bedfordshire is about £5,680 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Aston University, Birmingham
- £24,000
- University of Bedfordshire
- No data
We do not have reliable international fee data for University of Bedfordshire 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
University of Bedfordshire
Business Studies
£30,500Salary (3 years)£22,50082%Satisfaction88%Computer Science
£33,000Salary (3 years)£27,50085%Satisfaction85%Human Resource Management
£30,000Salary (3 years)£22,00083%Satisfaction82%Law
£23,000Salary (3 years)£18,50089%Satisfaction86%Marketing
£28,500Salary (3 years)£22,00079%Satisfaction82%Psychology (General)
£24,500Salary (3 years)£20,00092%Satisfaction80%Accounting
£29,500Salary (3 years)£22,00086%Satisfaction95%Electronic & Electrical Engineering
£32,500Salary (3 years)No data64%Satisfaction88%Sociology & Criminology
£23,000Salary (3 years)£19,50089%Satisfaction95%Software Engineering
£33,000Salary (3 years)£26,50084%Satisfaction79%Economics
£35,500Salary (3 years)£20,00095%Satisfaction94%Biomedical Sciences
£27,500Salary (3 years)£29,00090%Satisfaction95%
Showing the 12 largest of 17 shared subjects with published outcomes.
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveAston University, Birmingham
View all scholarships →University of Bedfordshire
View all scholarships →FAQ
Aston University, Birmingham vs University of Bedfordshire: common questions
Is Aston University, Birmingham or University of Bedfordshire cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £16,900 at University of Bedfordshire: University of Bedfordshire is about £5,680 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 of Bedfordshire?
Both universities teach 33 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Business Studies, Computer Science, Human Resource Management, Law, Marketing, Psychology (General), Accounting, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Building & Construction, English Language, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science and 21 more.
Is Aston University, Birmingham or University of Bedfordshire better for Business Studies?
Business Studies graduates earn a median £30,500 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, and £22,500 from University of Bedfordshire. Student satisfaction with teaching is 82% at Aston University, Birmingham and 88% at University of Bedfordshire. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Aston University, Birmingham or University of Bedfordshire offer more courses?
University of Bedfordshire lists 306 courses on CourseOptions and Aston University, Birmingham lists 169 courses.
What can you study at Aston University, Birmingham but not at University of Bedfordshire?
Aston University, Birmingham teaches 18 subject areas that University of Bedfordshire does not, including Chemical Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biomedical Engineering, Civil Engineering, History, Information Systems & Data Science, Mathematics, Aerospace Engineering and 10 more.
What can you study at University of Bedfordshire but not at Aston University, Birmingham?
University of Bedfordshire teaches 26 subject areas that Aston University, Birmingham does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Education Studies, Childhood & Youth Studies, Pharmacology, Teacher Training, Games Design & Computer Animation, Computing & IT and 18 more.
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