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Birmingham · QS World #416
Brighton · QS World #901
Head-to-Head Summary
Based on 11 datapoints
We looked at 11 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.
8/11
Aston
scored higher in 8 categories
3/11
Brighton
scored higher in 3 categories
Quick Verdict
Aston University, Birmingham leads in 8 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, TEF, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary). University of Brighton is ahead on established, courses, scholarship.
Aston University, Birmingham vs University of Brighton at a glance
Aston University, Birmingham and University of Brighton both teach 37 subject areas, the largest being Business Studies, Design & Fashion and Civil Engineering. Aston University, Birmingham offers 169 courses across 51 subject areas; University of Brighton offers 255 courses across 71 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £17,250 at University of Brighton: University of Brighton is about £5,330 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,000 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £18,790 at University of Brighton: University of Brighton is about £5,210 a year cheaper.
Of the 21 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Aston University, Birmingham is higher in 15 and University of Brighton in 3, with 3 about level. The widest gap is in Economics: £35,500 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, against £23,500 from University of Brighton. Of the 21 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Aston University, Birmingham is higher in 15 and University of Brighton in 6.
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 Brighton
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%
Brighton
93 countries · 14.3% international
- 🇮🇳India12.1%
- 🇨🇳China7.2%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria5%
- 🇺🇸United States5%
- 🇪🇬Egypt3.6%
Subjects
37 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 Brighton
Business Studies
18 coursesTypical fee £23,500 (UG)
12 coursesTypical fee £17,250 (UG)
Design & Fashion
2 coursesTypical fee £21,500 (UG)
17 coursesTypical fee £17,250 (UG)
Civil Engineering
4 coursesTypical fee £22,580 (UG)
12 coursesTypical fee £17,250 (UG)
Electronic & Electrical Engineering
Building & Construction
Finance & Actuarial Science
Computer Science
Politics & International Relations
Marketing
Biomedical Sciences
Business & Management (General)
General Engineering
Manufacturing & Production Engineering
Accounting
Health Sciences & Paramedic Science
Also taught at both: Mechanical Engineering, Psychology (General), Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Economics, Law, Sociology & Criminology, Aerospace Engineering, History, Pharmacy, Software Engineering, Human Resource Management, Information Systems & Data Science, Mathematics, Media & Film Studies, Social Sciences (General), Technology & Logistics, Health & Social Care, Management, Mental Health Nursing, Adult Nursing, Biological Sciences (General), Statistics.
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 Brighton
- £17,250
University of Brighton is about £5,330 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Aston University, Birmingham
- £24,000
- University of Brighton
- £18,790
University of Brighton is about £5,210 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 Brighton
Business Studies
£30,500Salary (3 years)£27,50082%Satisfaction78%Civil Engineering
£31,000Salary (3 years)£31,00083%Satisfaction80%Electronic & Electrical Engineering
£32,500Salary (3 years)£31,00064%Satisfaction87%Building & Construction
£32,500Salary (3 years)£32,00082%Satisfaction79%Finance & Actuarial Science
£30,000Salary (3 years)£36,00085%Satisfaction87%Computer Science
£33,000Salary (3 years)£28,00085%Satisfaction81%Politics & International Relations
£27,500Salary (3 years)£23,50081%Satisfaction90%Marketing
£28,500Salary (3 years)£27,50079%Satisfaction85%Biomedical Sciences
£27,500Salary (3 years)£29,00090%Satisfaction83%General Engineering
£31,000Salary (3 years)£31,00075%Satisfaction82%Accounting
£29,500Salary (3 years)£27,50086%Satisfaction77%Mechanical Engineering
£32,000Salary (3 years)£31,50080%Satisfaction75%
Showing the 12 largest of 22 shared subjects with published outcomes.
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveAston University, Birmingham
View all scholarships →University of Brighton
Ruby Lee Progression scholarship
100%
Deadline: Jun 2026
University of Brighton outreach progression scholarships
£6,000
Deadline: N/A
Royal Town Planning Institute scholarship
£5,000
Deadline: Jun 2026
Vice-Chancellor Scholarships
£4,000
Deadline: N/A
Widening Access Bursary
£3,000
Deadline: N/A
FAQ
Aston University, Birmingham vs University of Brighton: common questions
Is Aston University, Birmingham or University of Brighton cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £17,250 at University of Brighton: University of Brighton is about £5,330 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,000 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £18,790 at University of Brighton: University of Brighton is about £5,210 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 Brighton?
Both universities teach 37 subject areas: Business Studies, Design & Fashion, Civil Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Building & Construction, Finance & Actuarial Science, Computer Science, Politics & International Relations, Marketing, Biomedical Sciences, Business & Management (General), General Engineering and 25 more.
Is Aston University, Birmingham or University of Brighton better for Business Studies?
Business Studies graduates earn a median £30,500 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, and £27,500 from University of Brighton. Student satisfaction with teaching is 82% at Aston University, Birmingham and 78% at University of Brighton. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Aston University, Birmingham or University of Brighton offer more courses?
University of Brighton lists 255 courses on CourseOptions and Aston University, Birmingham lists 169 courses.
What can you study at Aston University, Birmingham but not at University of Brighton?
Aston University, Birmingham teaches 14 subject areas that University of Brighton does not, including Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, English Language, Biochemistry, Clinical & Health Psychology, Linguistics, Personal & Professional Development, Public Health & Epidemiology and 6 more.
What can you study at University of Brighton but not at Aston University, Birmingham?
University of Brighton teaches 34 subject areas that Aston University, Birmingham does not, including Childhood & Youth Studies, Human Geography & Environment, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Architecture, Applied Psychology, Biology, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Film Production & Cinematography and 26 more.
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