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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 Derby

Derby · QS World #1201

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.

5/10

Aston

scored higher in 5 categories

VS

5/10

Derby

scored higher in 5 categories

Quick Verdict

Aston University, Birmingham and University of Derby are evenly matched: each leads in 5 of 10 categories where both have data. Aston University, Birmingham is ahead on ranking, international, graduate salary; University of Derby on established, satisfaction, employment, courses, scholarship.

Aston University, Birmingham vs University of Derby at a glance

Aston University, Birmingham and University of Derby both teach 37 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Business Studies and Sociology & Criminology. Aston University, Birmingham offers 169 courses across 51 subject areas; University of Derby offers 375 courses across 74 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 Derby: University of Derby is about £5,680 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,000 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £17,500 at University of Derby: University of Derby is about £6,500 a year cheaper.

Of the 24 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Aston University, Birmingham is higher in 24 and University of Derby in 0. The widest gap is in Economics: £35,500 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, against £22,500 from University of Derby. Of the 26 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Derby is higher in 14 and Aston University, Birmingham in 12.

World & National Rankings

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

#416
QS World
#1201
#401
THE World
#601
#39
Guardian UK
#80
1895
Established
1851
No
Russell Group
No
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 Derby

85.2%
88.5%

Satisfaction

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

£37,600
£27,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.5%
85.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.1%
14.3%

International

International student share

169
375

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
6

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

Derby

64 countries · 14.3% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria34.5%
  • 🇮🇳India15.3%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan8.1%
  • 🇬🇭Ghana6.5%
  • 🇰🇪Kenya5.5%

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 Derby

Also taught at both: Building & Construction, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Media & Film Studies, Biomedical Sciences, Health & Social Care, Adult Nursing, General Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Human Resource Management, Mechanical Engineering, Mental Health Nursing, Personal & Professional Development, Software Engineering, Technology & Logistics, Computer Science, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Business Information Systems, English Language, Mathematics, Clinical & Health Psychology, Management, Public Health & Epidemiology.

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 Derby
£16,900

University of Derby is about £5,680 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Aston University, Birmingham
£24,000
University of Derby
£17,500

University of Derby is about £6,500 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 Derby

  • Business Studies

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    82%Satisfaction79%
  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    89%Satisfaction85%
  • Marketing

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    79%Satisfaction88%
  • Psychology (General)

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£20,000
    92%Satisfaction90%
  • Economics

    £35,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    95%Satisfaction93%
  • Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    84%Satisfaction78%
  • Civil Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    83%Satisfaction92%
  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    85%Satisfaction91%
  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    81%Satisfaction90%
  • History

    No dataSalary (3 years)£19,500
    95%Satisfaction100%
  • Law

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    89%Satisfaction87%
  • Accounting

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    86%Satisfaction90%

Showing the 12 largest of 26 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Aston University, Birmingham

View all scholarships →

University of Derby

Biomedical Science Excellence Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Golding Awards

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sarah Essam Football Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sitwell Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Aston University, Birmingham vs University of Derby: common questions

Is Aston University, Birmingham or University of Derby 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 Derby: University of Derby is about £5,680 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,000 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £17,500 at University of Derby: University of Derby is about £6,500 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 Derby?

Both universities teach 37 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Business Studies, Sociology & Criminology, Marketing, Design & Fashion, Psychology (General), Economics, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Civil Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Politics & International Relations, History and 25 more.

Is Aston University, Birmingham or University of Derby 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 Derby. Student satisfaction with teaching is 82% at Aston University, Birmingham and 79% at University of Derby. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Derby lists 375 courses on CourseOptions and Aston University, Birmingham lists 169 courses.

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

Aston University, Birmingham teaches 14 subject areas that University of Derby does not, including Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Information Systems & Data Science, Aerospace Engineering, Biochemistry, Linguistics, Biological Sciences (General), Biotechnology and 6 more.

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

University of Derby teaches 37 subject areas that Aston University, Birmingham does not, including Sport & Exercise Sciences, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Education Studies, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Creative Writing, Games Design & Computer Animation, Journalism, Architecture and 29 more.

Ready to explore courses?

Browse available courses, check entry requirements, and find scholarships at each university.