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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 Leeds

Leeds · QS World #77

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 12 datapoints

We looked at 12 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

4/12

Aston

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

8/12

Leeds

scored higher in 8 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Leeds leads in 8 of 12 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, satisfaction, international, courses, scholarship). Aston University, Birmingham is ahead on TEF, established, employment, graduate salary.

Aston University, Birmingham vs University of Leeds at a glance

Aston University, Birmingham and University of Leeds both teach 45 subject areas, the largest being Business Studies, Civil Engineering and Politics & International Relations. Aston University, Birmingham offers 169 courses across 51 subject areas; University of Leeds offers 579 courses across 110 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £33,700 at University of Leeds: Aston University, Birmingham is about £11,120 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,000 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £31,500 at University of Leeds: Aston University, Birmingham is about £7,500 a year cheaper.

Of the 24 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Leeds is higher in 13 and Aston University, Birmingham in 5, with 6 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £33,000 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, against £42,000 from University of Leeds. Of the 26 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Aston University, Birmingham is higher in 13 and University of Leeds in 12, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#416
QS World
#77
#401
THE World
#118
#39
Guardian UK
#15
1895
Established
1904
No
Russell Group
Yes
Gold
TEF Rating
Silver

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 Leeds

85.2%
85.7%

Satisfaction

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

£37,600
£37,200

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.5%
82.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.1%
31.5%

International

International student share

169
579

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
13

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

Leeds

105 countries · 31.5% international

  • 🇨🇳China49.5%
  • 🇮🇳India9.6%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.9%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.4%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.8%

Subjects

45 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 Leeds

Also taught at both: Management, Personal & Professional Development, Biomedical Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Linguistics, Mechanical Engineering, Psychology (General), Biomedical Sciences, Business & Management (General), Human Resource Management, Information Systems & Data Science, Aerospace Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, English Studies, General Engineering, Biological Sciences (General), English Language, Public Health & Epidemiology, Software Engineering, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Health & Social Care, Statistics, Clinical & Health Psychology, Medicine, Pharmacy, Social Sciences (General), Adult Nursing, Healthcare Science, Mental Health Nursing.

Only at Aston University, Birmingham

Only at University of Leeds

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 Leeds
£33,700

Aston University, Birmingham is about £11,120 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Aston University, Birmingham
£24,000
University of Leeds
£31,500

Aston University, Birmingham is about £7,500 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 Leeds

  • Business Studies

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£36,000
    82%Satisfaction84%

  • Civil Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    83%Satisfaction89%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£28,500
    81%Satisfaction85%

  • Economics

    £35,500Salary (3 years)£36,000
    95%Satisfaction88%

  • Computer Science

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£42,000
    85%Satisfaction79%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    64%Satisfaction92%

  • Mathematics

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£31,500
    94%Satisfaction83%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    89%Satisfaction82%

  • History

    No dataSalary (3 years)£26,000
    95%Satisfaction94%

  • Law

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    89%Satisfaction87%

  • Marketing

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    79%Satisfaction84%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    87%Satisfaction82%

Showing the 12 largest of 27 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Aston University, Birmingham

View all scholarships →

University of Leeds

Gazan Humanitarian Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Gazan Humanitarian Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Global Community Bursary

£10,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

Sanctuary Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Aston University, Birmingham vs University of Leeds: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £33,700 at University of Leeds: Aston University, Birmingham is about £11,120 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,000 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £31,500 at University of Leeds: Aston University, Birmingham is about £7,500 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 Leeds?

Both universities teach 45 subject areas: Business Studies, Civil Engineering, Politics & International Relations, Economics, Computer Science, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, Sociology & Criminology, Design & Fashion, History, Law, Manufacturing & Production Engineering and 33 more.

Is Aston University, Birmingham or University of Leeds better for Business Studies?

Business Studies graduates earn a median £30,500 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, and £36,000 from University of Leeds. Student satisfaction with teaching is 82% at Aston University, Birmingham and 84% at University of Leeds. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Leeds lists 579 courses on CourseOptions and Aston University, Birmingham lists 169 courses.

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

Aston University, Birmingham teaches 6 subject areas that University of Leeds does not, including Building & Construction, Accounting, Technology & Logistics, Business Information Systems, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science and Optometry & Ophthalmics.

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

University of Leeds teaches 65 subject areas that Aston University, Birmingham does not, including Physics, Chemistry, Music, Philosophy, Education Studies, Ancient Languages, Asian Languages & Studies, Geology & Earth Sciences and 57 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 Leeds579 courses · 13 scholarshipsBrowse Courses