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
Lancaster · Guardian UK #101
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.
7/9
Aston
scored higher in 7 categories
2/9
Cumbria
scored higher in 2 categories
Quick Verdict
Aston University, Birmingham leads in 7 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, TEF, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses). University of Cumbria is ahead on employment, scholarship.
Aston University, Birmingham vs University of Cumbria at a glance
Aston University, Birmingham and University of Cumbria both teach 15 subject areas, the largest being Business Studies, Business & Management (General) and Psychology (General). Aston University, Birmingham offers 169 courses across 51 subject areas; University of Cumbria offers 136 courses across 40 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £16,000 at University of Cumbria: University of Cumbria is about £6,580 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,000 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £16,900 at University of Cumbria: University of Cumbria is about £7,100 a year cheaper.
Of the 7 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Aston University, Birmingham is higher in 6 and University of Cumbria in 1. The widest gap is in Business Studies: £30,500 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, against £21,000 from University of Cumbria. Of the 7 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Aston University, Birmingham is higher in 4 and University of Cumbria in 3.
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 Cumbria
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%
Cumbria
14 countries · 2.6% international
- 🇨🇦Canada14.9%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan14.9%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria10.6%
- 🇩🇪Germany8.5%
- 🇮🇪Ireland8.5%
Subjects
15 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 Cumbria
Business Studies
18 coursesTypical fee £23,500 (UG)
5 coursesTypical fee £16,000 (UG)
Business & Management (General)
Psychology (General)
Design & Fashion
Mechanical Engineering
Biomedical Sciences
Sociology & Criminology
Health Sciences & Paramedic Science
Law
Biomedical Engineering
Computer Science
Adult Nursing
Health & Social Care
Mental Health Nursing
Management
Only at Aston University, Birmingham
Only at University of Cumbria
- Childhood & Youth Studies · 17
- Sport & Exercise Sciences · 10
- Film Production & Cinematography · 7
- Forestry & Arboriculture · 6
- Ecology & Conservation · 4
- Human Geography & Environment · 4
- Hospitality, Events & Tourism · 3
- Nursing (General) · 3
- Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation · 3
- Zoology & Animal Biology · 3
- and 15 more
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 Cumbria
- £16,000
University of Cumbria is about £6,580 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Aston University, Birmingham
- £24,000
- University of Cumbria
- £16,900
University of Cumbria is about £7,100 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 Cumbria
Business Studies
£30,500Salary (3 years)£21,00082%Satisfaction89%Psychology (General)
£24,500Salary (3 years)£19,50092%Satisfaction87%Biomedical Sciences
£27,500Salary (3 years)£33,00090%Satisfaction100%Sociology & Criminology
£23,000Salary (3 years)£19,50089%Satisfaction70%Law
£23,000Salary (3 years)£18,50089%Satisfaction95%Adult Nursing
£36,000Salary (3 years)£27,50091%Satisfaction74%Mental Health Nursing
£36,000Salary (3 years)£28,50091%Satisfaction74%
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveAston University, Birmingham
View all scholarships →FAQ
Aston University, Birmingham vs University of Cumbria: common questions
Is Aston University, Birmingham or University of Cumbria cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £16,000 at University of Cumbria: University of Cumbria is about £6,580 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,000 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £16,900 at University of Cumbria: University of Cumbria is about £7,100 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 Cumbria?
Both universities teach 15 subject areas: Business Studies, Business & Management (General), Psychology (General), Design & Fashion, Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Sociology & Criminology, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Law, Biomedical Engineering, Computer Science, Adult Nursing and 3 more.
Is Aston University, Birmingham or University of Cumbria 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 of Cumbria. Student satisfaction with teaching is 82% at Aston University, Birmingham and 89% at University of Cumbria. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Aston University, Birmingham or University of Cumbria offer more courses?
Aston University, Birmingham lists 169 courses on CourseOptions and University of Cumbria lists 136 courses.
What can you study at Aston University, Birmingham but not at University of Cumbria?
Aston University, Birmingham teaches 36 subject areas that University of Cumbria does not, including Politics & International Relations, Chemical Engineering, Economics, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Marketing, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Building & Construction and 28 more.
What can you study at University of Cumbria but not at Aston University, Birmingham?
University of Cumbria teaches 25 subject areas that Aston University, Birmingham does not, including Childhood & Youth Studies, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Film Production & Cinematography, Forestry & Arboriculture, Ecology & Conservation, Human Geography & Environment, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Nursing (General) and 17 more.
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