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
Portsmouth · QS World #662
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.
4/9
Aston
scored higher in 4 categories
5/9
Portsmouth
scored higher in 5 categories
Quick Verdict
University of Portsmouth leads in 5 of 9 categories where both have data (established, satisfaction, international, courses, scholarship). Aston University, Birmingham is ahead on ranking, employment, graduate salary.
Aston University, Birmingham vs University of Portsmouth at a glance
Aston University, Birmingham and University of Portsmouth both teach 41 subject areas, the largest being Business Studies, Sociology & Criminology and Electronic & Electrical Engineering. Aston University, Birmingham offers 169 courses across 51 subject areas; University of Portsmouth offers 446 courses across 84 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £17,900 at University of Portsmouth: University of Portsmouth is about £4,680 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,000 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £18,600 at University of Portsmouth: University of Portsmouth is about £5,400 a year cheaper.
Of the 26 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Aston University, Birmingham is higher in 18 and University of Portsmouth in 8. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £33,000 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, against £25,500 from University of Portsmouth. Of the 27 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Portsmouth is higher in 14 and Aston University, Birmingham in 10, with 3 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 Portsmouth
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%
Portsmouth
96 countries · 24.5% international
- 🇮🇳India22.1%
- 🇨🇳China11.6%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria7.8%
- 🌐Kuwait7.1%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan5.6%
Subjects
41 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 Portsmouth
Business Studies
18 coursesTypical fee £23,500 (UG)
13 coursesTypical fee £17,900 (UG)
Sociology & Criminology
4 coursesTypical fee £22,580 (UG)
20 coursesTypical fee £17,900 (UG)
Electronic & Electrical Engineering
6 coursesTypical fee £22,580 (UG)
17 coursesTypical fee £19,200 (UG)
Politics & International Relations
7 coursesTypical fee £22,580 (UG)
16 coursesTypical fee £17,900 (UG)
Computer Science
3 coursesTypical fee £22,580 (UG)
19 coursesTypical fee £19,200 (UG)
Building & Construction
5 coursesTypical fee £22,580 (UG)
14 coursesTypical fee £19,200 (UG)
Management
1 courseTypical fee £24,000 (PG)
17 coursesTypical fee £18,600 (PG)
Business & Management (General)
4 coursesTypical fee £23,500 (PG)
12 coursesTypical fee £17,200 (UG)
General Engineering
5 coursesTypical fee £22,580 (UG)
11 coursesTypical fee £16,200 (UG)
Design & Fashion
2 coursesTypical fee £21,500 (UG)
13 coursesTypical fee £17,900 (UG)
Marketing
Accounting
3 coursesTypical fee £23,500 (UG)
11 coursesTypical fee £17,400 (UG)
Law
2 coursesTypical fee £22,580 (UG)
12 coursesTypical fee £17,900 (UG)
Economics
Mechanical Engineering
Also taught at both: Human Resource Management, Finance & Actuarial Science, Psychology (General), Civil Engineering, English Language, History, Biomedical Sciences, Mathematics, Chemical Engineering, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Media & Film Studies, Software Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Information Systems & Data Science, Linguistics, Public Health & Epidemiology, Adult Nursing, Mental Health Nursing, Social Sciences (General), Biochemistry, Clinical & Health Psychology, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Pharmacy, Biotechnology, Business Information Systems, Healthcare Science.
Only at Aston University, Birmingham
Only at University of Portsmouth
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 Portsmouth
- £17,900
University of Portsmouth is about £4,680 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Aston University, Birmingham
- £24,000
- University of Portsmouth
- £18,600
University of Portsmouth is about £5,400 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 Portsmouth
Business Studies
£30,500Salary (3 years)£27,00082%Satisfaction85%Sociology & Criminology
£23,000Salary (3 years)£24,00089%Satisfaction87%Electronic & Electrical Engineering
£32,500Salary (3 years)£33,50064%Satisfaction84%Politics & International Relations
£27,500Salary (3 years)£24,00081%Satisfaction87%Computer Science
£33,000Salary (3 years)£25,50085%Satisfaction82%Building & Construction
£32,500Salary (3 years)£36,50082%Satisfaction89%General Engineering
£31,000Salary (3 years)£30,00075%Satisfaction84%Marketing
£28,500Salary (3 years)£28,00079%Satisfaction86%Accounting
£29,500Salary (3 years)£27,50086%Satisfaction93%Law
£23,000Salary (3 years)£25,50089%Satisfaction88%Economics
£35,500Salary (3 years)£30,50095%Satisfaction85%Mechanical Engineering
£32,000Salary (3 years)£31,00080%Satisfaction83%
Showing the 12 largest of 27 shared subjects with published outcomes.
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveAston University, Birmingham
View all scholarships →University of Portsmouth
Portsmouth Football Club Partnership Scholarship
£3,000
Deadline: N/A
Estée Lauder Companies - Whitman Scholarship
See details
Deadline: N/A
Portsmouth Football Club Partnership Scholarship
See details
Deadline: N/A
Sanctuary Language Bursary
See details
Deadline: N/A
Sanctuary Scholarship
See details
Deadline: N/A
FAQ
Aston University, Birmingham vs University of Portsmouth: common questions
Is Aston University, Birmingham or University of Portsmouth cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £17,900 at University of Portsmouth: University of Portsmouth is about £4,680 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,000 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £18,600 at University of Portsmouth: University of Portsmouth is about £5,400 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 Portsmouth?
Both universities teach 41 subject areas: Business Studies, Sociology & Criminology, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Politics & International Relations, Computer Science, Building & Construction, Management, Business & Management (General), General Engineering, Design & Fashion, Marketing, Accounting and 29 more.
Is Aston University, Birmingham or University of Portsmouth better for Business Studies?
Business Studies graduates earn a median £30,500 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, and £27,000 from University of Portsmouth. Student satisfaction with teaching is 82% at Aston University, Birmingham and 85% at University of Portsmouth. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Aston University, Birmingham or University of Portsmouth offer more courses?
University of Portsmouth lists 446 courses on CourseOptions and Aston University, Birmingham lists 169 courses.
What can you study at Aston University, Birmingham but not at University of Portsmouth?
Aston University, Birmingham teaches 10 subject areas that University of Portsmouth does not, including Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Technology & Logistics, Aerospace Engineering, Personal & Professional Development, Biological Sciences (General), English Studies, Health & Social Care, Medicine and 2 more.
What can you study at University of Portsmouth but not at Aston University, Birmingham?
University of Portsmouth teaches 43 subject areas that Aston University, Birmingham does not, including Education Studies, Games Design & Computer Animation, Social Policy & Public Policy, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Teacher Training, Childhood & Youth Studies, Film Production & Cinematography, Architecture and 35 more.
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