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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 Cambridge

Cambridge · QS World #6

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 10 datapoints

We looked at 10 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

1/10

Aston

scored higher in 1 category

VS

9/10

Cambridge

scored higher in 9 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Cambridge leads in 9 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses). Aston University, Birmingham is ahead on employment.

Aston University, Birmingham vs University of Cambridge at a glance

Aston University, Birmingham and University of Cambridge both teach 34 subject areas, the largest being Biological Sciences (General), Business Studies and History. Aston University, Birmingham offers 169 courses across 51 subject areas; University of Cambridge offers 336 courses across 79 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £32,890 at University of Cambridge: Aston University, Birmingham is about £10,310 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,000 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £41,300 at University of Cambridge: Aston University, Birmingham is about £17,300 a year cheaper.

Of the 10 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Cambridge is higher in 10 and Aston University, Birmingham in 0. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £33,000 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, against £63,500 from University of Cambridge. Of the 11 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Cambridge is higher in 5 and Aston University, Birmingham in 3, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#416
QS World
#6
#401
THE World
#3
#39
Guardian UK
#2
1895
Established
1209
No
Russell Group
Yes
Gold
TEF Rating
Gold

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 Cambridge

85.2%
92.1%

Satisfaction

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

£37,600
£49,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.5%
76.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.1%
32.2%

International

International student share

169
336

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
0

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

Cambridge

96 countries · 32.2% international

  • 🇨🇳China28.2%
  • 🇺🇸United States10.3%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore6.6%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5.3%
  • 🇮🇳India4.7%

Subjects

34 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 Cambridge

Also taught at both: Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Law, Computer Science, Building & Construction, Information Systems & Data Science, Management, Software Engineering, Civil Engineering, English Studies, Linguistics, Media & Film Studies, Technology & Logistics, Aerospace Engineering, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Clinical & Health Psychology, Medicine, Health & Social Care, Statistics.

Only at Aston University, Birmingham

Only at University of Cambridge

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 Cambridge
£32,890

Aston University, Birmingham is about £10,310 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Aston University, Birmingham
£24,000
University of Cambridge
£41,300

Aston University, Birmingham is about £17,300 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 Cambridge

  • Biological Sciences (General)

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£35,000
    94%Satisfaction91%

  • History

    No dataSalary (3 years)£32,000
    95%Satisfaction95%

  • General Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£39,500
    75%Satisfaction87%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£34,000
    81%SatisfactionNo data

  • Economics

    £35,500Salary (3 years)£59,500
    95%Satisfaction86%

  • Mathematics

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£44,500
    94%Satisfaction94%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£43,000
    87%Satisfaction94%

  • Psychology (General)

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    92%Satisfaction92%

  • Law

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£49,000
    89%Satisfaction96%

  • Computer Science

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£63,500
    85%Satisfaction94%

  • English Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    87%Satisfaction96%

  • Medicine

    No dataSalary (3 years)£47,500
    90%Satisfaction85%

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Aston University, Birmingham

View all scholarships →

University of Cambridge

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Aston University, Birmingham vs University of Cambridge: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £32,890 at University of Cambridge: Aston University, Birmingham is about £10,310 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,000 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £41,300 at University of Cambridge: Aston University, Birmingham is about £17,300 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 Cambridge?

Both universities teach 34 subject areas: Biological Sciences (General), Business Studies, History, General Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Politics & International Relations, Economics, Mathematics, Sociology & Criminology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Business & Management (General), Chemical Engineering and 22 more.

Is Aston University, Birmingham or University of Cambridge better for Biological Sciences (General)?

Biological Sciences (General) graduates earn a median £25,500 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, and £35,000 from University of Cambridge. Student satisfaction with teaching is 94% at Aston University, Birmingham and 91% at University of Cambridge. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Cambridge lists 336 courses on CourseOptions and Aston University, Birmingham lists 169 courses.

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

Aston University, Birmingham teaches 17 subject areas that University of Cambridge does not, including Marketing, Biomedical Engineering, English Language, Human Resource Management, Mechanical Engineering, Accounting, Design & Fashion, Manufacturing & Production Engineering and 9 more.

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

University of Cambridge teaches 45 subject areas that Aston University, Birmingham does not, including Asian Languages & Studies, Childhood & Youth Studies, Archaeology, Architecture, Clinical Specialities, Philosophy, Physics, Biology and 37 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 Cambridge336 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses