Skip to main content

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 Plymouth

Plymouth · QS World #691

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.

6/10

Aston

scored higher in 6 categories

VS

4/10

Plymouth

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

Aston University, Birmingham leads in 6 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, employment, international, graduate salary). University of Plymouth is ahead on established, satisfaction, courses, scholarship.

Aston University, Birmingham vs University of Plymouth at a glance

Aston University, Birmingham and University of Plymouth both teach 39 subject areas, the largest being Business Studies, Psychology (General) and Business & Management (General). Aston University, Birmingham offers 169 courses across 51 subject areas; University of Plymouth offers 310 courses across 78 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £19,200 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £3,380 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,000 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £19,500 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £4,500 a year cheaper.

Of the 23 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Aston University, Birmingham is higher in 22 and University of Plymouth in 1. The widest gap is in Economics: £35,500 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, against £24,500 from University of Plymouth. Of the 24 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Aston University, Birmingham is higher in 12 and University of Plymouth in 10, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#416
QS World
#691
#401
THE World
#501
#39
Guardian UK
#56
1895
Established
1862
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 Plymouth

85.2%
86.6%

Satisfaction

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

£37,600
£30,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.5%
84.2%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.1%
11.9%

International

International student share

169
310

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
10

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

Plymouth

71 countries · 11.9% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria14.6%
  • 🇨🇳China12.2%
  • 🇮🇳India11%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.7%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka3.3%

Subjects

39 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 Plymouth

Also taught at both: Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Adult Nursing, History, Chemical Engineering, General Engineering, Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, English Studies, Human Resource Management, Management, Accounting, Biomedical Engineering, Clinical & Health Psychology, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Statistics, Technology & Logistics, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Mental Health Nursing, Optometry & Ophthalmics, Biological Sciences (General), Media & Film Studies, Medicine, Social Sciences (General).

Only at Aston University, Birmingham

Only at University of Plymouth

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 Plymouth
£19,200

University of Plymouth is about £3,380 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Aston University, Birmingham
£24,000
University of Plymouth
£19,500

University of Plymouth is about £4,500 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 Plymouth

  • Business Studies

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    82%Satisfaction74%

  • Psychology (General)

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£21,500
    92%Satisfaction84%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    64%Satisfaction91%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    90%Satisfaction84%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    81%Satisfaction86%

  • Civil Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    83%Satisfaction94%

  • Law

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£21,500
    89%Satisfaction84%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    89%Satisfaction83%

  • Computer Science

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    85%Satisfaction72%

  • Building & Construction

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£31,500
    82%Satisfaction90%

  • Economics

    £35,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    95%Satisfaction91%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    85%Satisfaction90%

Showing the 12 largest of 25 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Aston University, Birmingham

View all scholarships →

University of Plymouth

GREAT Scholarships

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

International Undergraduate Welcome to Plymouth Scholarship

£6,000

Deadline: N/A

Tamar Engineering Project

£4,500

Deadline: Jun 2026

International Postgraduate Welcome to Plymouth Scholarship

£4,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Aston University, Birmingham vs University of Plymouth: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £19,200 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £3,380 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,000 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £19,500 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £4,500 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 Plymouth?

Both universities teach 39 subject areas: Business Studies, Psychology (General), Business & Management (General), Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Politics & International Relations, Civil Engineering, Design & Fashion, Law, Sociology & Criminology, Computer Science, Building & Construction and 27 more.

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

Business Studies graduates earn a median £30,500 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, and £24,000 from University of Plymouth. Student satisfaction with teaching is 82% at Aston University, Birmingham and 74% at University of Plymouth. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Plymouth lists 310 courses on CourseOptions and Aston University, Birmingham lists 169 courses.

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

Aston University, Birmingham teaches 12 subject areas that University of Plymouth does not, including English Language, Information Systems & Data Science, Aerospace Engineering, Biochemistry, Linguistics, Personal & Professional Development, Public Health & Epidemiology, Biotechnology and 4 more.

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

University of Plymouth teaches 39 subject areas that Aston University, Birmingham does not, including Geology & Earth Sciences, Ecology & Conservation, Nutrition & Dietetics, Physical Geography & Climate, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Dentistry, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Marine Engineering & Technology and 31 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 Plymouth310 courses · 10 scholarshipsBrowse Courses