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
Canterbury · QS World #415
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
Kent
scored higher in 2 categories
Quick Verdict
Aston University, Birmingham leads in 7 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, TEF, established, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary). University of Kent is ahead on ranking, courses.
Aston University, Birmingham vs University of Kent at a glance
Aston University, Birmingham and University of Kent both teach 36 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Business Studies and Finance & Actuarial Science. Aston University, Birmingham offers 169 courses across 51 subject areas; University of Kent offers 335 courses across 63 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £23,500 at University of Kent: Aston University, Birmingham is about £920 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,000 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £20,700 at University of Kent: University of Kent is about £3,300 a year cheaper.
Of the 18 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Kent is higher in 13 and Aston University, Birmingham in 4, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Finance & Actuarial Science: £30,000 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, against £41,500 from University of Kent. Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Aston University, Birmingham is higher in 15 and University of Kent in 4, with 1 about level.
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 Kent
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%
Kent
85 countries · 16% international
- 🇮🇳India9.9%
- 🇨🇳China6.8%
- 🇹🇭Thailand6.6%
- 🇫🇷France5.7%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria5.3%
Subjects
36 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 Kent
Politics & International Relations
7 coursesTypical fee £22,580 (UG)
20 coursesTypical fee £19,300 (UG)
Business Studies
18 coursesTypical fee £23,500 (UG)
8 coursesTypical fee £20,700 (UG)
Finance & Actuarial Science
6 coursesTypical fee £23,500 (UG)
17 coursesTypical fee £24,700 (PG)
Economics
6 coursesFee not available
16 coursesTypical fee £19,300 (UG)
Computer Science
3 coursesTypical fee £22,580 (UG)
18 coursesTypical fee £23,500 (UG)
Psychology (General)
6 coursesTypical fee £22,580 (UG)
10 coursesTypical fee £23,500 (UG)
Sociology & Criminology
4 coursesTypical fee £22,580 (UG)
12 coursesTypical fee £19,300 (PG)
Electronic & Electrical Engineering
Mathematics
4 coursesTypical fee £22,580 (UG)
10 coursesTypical fee £19,300 (UG)
Law
2 coursesTypical fee £22,580 (UG)
11 coursesTypical fee £20,700 (PG)
Marketing
History
Accounting
Business & Management (General)
Biochemistry
Also taught at both: Management, Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, General Engineering, Pharmacy, Social Sciences (General), Human Resource Management, Clinical & Health Psychology, Design & Fashion, Media & Film Studies, Personal & Professional Development, Technology & Logistics, Business Information Systems, English Studies, Linguistics, Statistics, Biotechnology, Health & Social Care, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science.
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 Kent
- £23,500
Aston University, Birmingham is about £920 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Aston University, Birmingham
- £24,000
- University of Kent
- £20,700
University of Kent is about £3,300 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 Kent
Politics & International Relations
£27,500Salary (3 years)£25,50081%Satisfaction87%Business Studies
£30,500Salary (3 years)£28,50082%Satisfaction82%Finance & Actuarial Science
£30,000Salary (3 years)£41,50085%Satisfaction81%Economics
£35,500Salary (3 years)£32,50095%Satisfaction85%Computer Science
£33,000Salary (3 years)£37,00085%Satisfaction79%Psychology (General)
£24,500Salary (3 years)£23,50092%Satisfaction77%Sociology & Criminology
£23,000Salary (3 years)£24,00089%Satisfaction83%Electronic & Electrical Engineering
£32,500Salary (3 years)£35,00064%Satisfaction88%Mathematics
£31,500Salary (3 years)£32,00094%Satisfaction87%Law
£23,000Salary (3 years)£26,00089%Satisfaction86%Marketing
£28,500Salary (3 years)No data79%Satisfaction78%History
No dataSalary (3 years)£25,00095%Satisfaction93%
Showing the 12 largest of 20 shared subjects with published outcomes.
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveAston University, Birmingham
View all scholarships →University of Kent
View all scholarships →FAQ
Aston University, Birmingham vs University of Kent: common questions
Is Aston University, Birmingham or University of Kent cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £23,500 at University of Kent: Aston University, Birmingham is about £920 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,000 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £20,700 at University of Kent: University of Kent is about £3,300 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 Kent?
Both universities teach 36 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Business Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Economics, Computer Science, Psychology (General), Sociology & Criminology, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, Law, Marketing, History and 24 more.
Is Aston University, Birmingham or University of Kent better for Politics & International Relations?
Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £27,500 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, and £25,500 from University of Kent. Student satisfaction with teaching is 81% at Aston University, Birmingham and 87% at University of Kent. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Aston University, Birmingham or University of Kent offer more courses?
University of Kent lists 335 courses on CourseOptions and Aston University, Birmingham lists 169 courses.
What can you study at Aston University, Birmingham but not at University of Kent?
Aston University, Birmingham teaches 15 subject areas that University of Kent does not, including Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Building & Construction, Civil Engineering, English Language, Information Systems & Data Science, Aerospace Engineering, Manufacturing & Production Engineering and 7 more.
What can you study at University of Kent but not at Aston University, Birmingham?
University of Kent teaches 27 subject areas that Aston University, Birmingham does not, including Physics, Biology, Applied Psychology, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Architecture, Chemistry, Ecology & Conservation, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology and 19 more.
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