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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
University of Birmingham

Birmingham · QS World #68

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.

3/12

Aston

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

9/12

Birmingham

scored higher in 9 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Birmingham leads in 9 of 12 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Aston University, Birmingham is ahead on TEF, established, employment.

Aston University, Birmingham vs University of Birmingham at a glance

Aston University, Birmingham and University of Birmingham both teach 44 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, History and Business Studies. Aston University, Birmingham offers 169 courses across 51 subject areas; University of Birmingham offers 663 courses across 101 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £27,090 at University of Birmingham: Aston University, Birmingham is about £4,510 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,000 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £23,390 at University of Birmingham: University of Birmingham is about £610 a year cheaper.

Of the 25 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Birmingham is higher in 18 and Aston University, Birmingham in 5, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Accounting: £29,500 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, against £37,000 from University of Birmingham. Of the 26 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Aston University, Birmingham is higher in 17 and University of Birmingham in 8, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#416
QS World
#68
#401
THE World
#98
#39
Guardian UK
#18
1895
Established
1900
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

University of Birmingham

85.2%
86.7%

Satisfaction

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

£37,600
£38,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.5%
83.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.1%
31.2%

International

International student share

169
663

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
3

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

Birmingham

104 countries · 31.2% international

  • 🇨🇳China55.7%
  • 🇮🇳India9.4%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.2%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.8%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia2%

Subjects

44 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 Birmingham

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

Only at Aston University, Birmingham

Only at University of 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 Birmingham
£27,090

Aston University, Birmingham is about £4,510 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Aston University, Birmingham
£24,000
University of Birmingham
£23,390

University of Birmingham is about £610 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 of Birmingham

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    81%Satisfaction86%

  • History

    No dataSalary (3 years)£26,000
    95%Satisfaction89%

  • Business Studies

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£35,000
    82%Satisfaction77%

  • Law

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    89%Satisfaction83%

  • Civil Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    83%Satisfaction78%

  • Marketing

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£35,000
    79%Satisfaction79%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£35,000
    85%Satisfaction80%

  • Mathematics

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    94%Satisfaction85%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    89%Satisfaction83%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    90%Satisfaction82%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£34,500
    87%Satisfaction86%

  • Economics

    £35,500Salary (3 years)£34,500
    95%Satisfaction85%

Showing the 12 largest of 27 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Aston University, Birmingham

View all scholarships →

University of Birmingham

Enhanced Chamberlain Award

£3,500

Deadline: N/A

University Music Scholarships

£3,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

University Music Scholarships

£1,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Aston University, Birmingham vs University of Birmingham: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £27,090 at University of Birmingham: Aston University, Birmingham is about £4,510 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,000 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £23,390 at University of Birmingham: University of Birmingham is about £610 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 Birmingham?

Both universities teach 44 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, History, Business Studies, Law, Business & Management (General), Civil Engineering, Marketing, Health & Social Care, Finance & Actuarial Science, Mathematics, Sociology & Criminology, Biomedical Sciences and 32 more.

Is Aston University, Birmingham or University of Birmingham better for Politics & International Relations?

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £27,500 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, and £28,000 from University of Birmingham. Student satisfaction with teaching is 81% at Aston University, Birmingham and 86% at University of Birmingham. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Birmingham lists 663 courses on CourseOptions and Aston University, Birmingham lists 169 courses.

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

Aston University, Birmingham teaches 7 subject areas that University of Birmingham does not, including Building & Construction, Biomedical Engineering, Technology & Logistics, Design & Fashion, Personal & Professional Development, Business Information Systems and Optometry & Ophthalmics.

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

University of Birmingham teaches 57 subject areas that Aston University, Birmingham does not, including Philosophy, Teacher Training, Geology & Earth Sciences, International Development, Physics, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Music, Ancient Languages and 49 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 of Birmingham663 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses