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
Salford · QS World #1001
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.
8/10
Aston
scored higher in 8 categories
2/10
Salford
scored higher in 2 categories
Quick Verdict
Aston University, Birmingham leads in 8 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, TEF, established, employment, international, graduate salary). University of Salford is ahead on courses, scholarship.
Aston University, Birmingham vs University of Salford at a glance
Aston University, Birmingham and University of Salford both teach 36 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Business Studies and Building & Construction. Aston University, Birmingham offers 169 courses across 51 subject areas; University of Salford offers 305 courses across 72 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £17,040 at University of Salford: University of Salford is about £5,540 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,000 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £17,710 at University of Salford: University of Salford is about £6,290 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 Salford in 1. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £33,000 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, against £23,500 from University of Salford. Of the 23 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Aston University, Birmingham is higher in 15 and University of Salford in 8.
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 Salford
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%
Salford
63 countries · 19.1% international
- 🇮🇳India34.8%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria27.4%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan12.9%
- 🌐Kuwait3.7%
- 🇧🇩Bangladesh2.6%
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 Salford
Business & Management (General)
4 coursesTypical fee £23,500 (PG)
31 coursesTypical fee £17,040 (UG)
Business Studies
18 coursesTypical fee £23,500 (UG)
13 coursesTypical fee £17,040 (UG)
Building & Construction
5 coursesTypical fee £22,580 (UG)
13 coursesTypical fee £17,040 (UG)
Design & Fashion
2 coursesTypical fee £21,500 (UG)
14 coursesTypical fee £17,040 (UG)
Psychology (General)
Biomedical Sciences
Marketing
Politics & International Relations
Sociology & Criminology
Computer Science
Finance & Actuarial Science
Aerospace Engineering
Civil Engineering
Electronic & Electrical Engineering
Media & Film Studies
Also taught at both: Biochemistry, Mechanical Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Information Systems & Data Science, Law, Mathematics, Software Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Business Information Systems, History, Human Resource Management, Technology & Logistics, Accounting, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Social Sciences (General), Management, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Mental Health Nursing, Public Health & Epidemiology, Adult Nursing, Biotechnology.
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 Salford
- £17,040
University of Salford is about £5,540 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Aston University, Birmingham
- £24,000
- University of Salford
- £17,710
University of Salford is about £6,290 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 Salford
Business Studies
£30,500Salary (3 years)£22,50082%Satisfaction99%Building & Construction
£32,500Salary (3 years)£30,50082%Satisfaction86%Psychology (General)
£24,500Salary (3 years)£19,50092%Satisfaction79%Biomedical Sciences
£27,500Salary (3 years)£30,00090%Satisfaction83%Marketing
£28,500Salary (3 years)£21,50079%Satisfaction71%Politics & International Relations
£27,500Salary (3 years)£20,00081%Satisfaction87%Sociology & Criminology
£23,000Salary (3 years)£22,00089%Satisfaction80%Computer Science
£33,000Salary (3 years)£23,50085%Satisfaction76%Finance & Actuarial Science
£30,000Salary (3 years)£21,00085%Satisfaction87%Aerospace Engineering
£31,000Salary (3 years)£28,500No dataSatisfaction69%Civil Engineering
£31,000Salary (3 years)£27,50083%Satisfaction84%Electronic & Electrical Engineering
£32,500Salary (3 years)£25,00064%Satisfaction86%
Showing the 12 largest of 24 shared subjects with published outcomes.
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveAston University, Birmingham
View all scholarships →University of Salford
Salford/International Nursing College Scholarships
£8,160
Deadline: N/A
Salford/EATL Data Science Scholarships
£7,100
Deadline: N/A
Global Gold Excellence Scholarship
£3,500
Deadline: N/A
Global Silver Excellence Scholarship
£3,000
Deadline: N/A
IFY Excellence Scholarship
£2,500
Deadline: N/A
FAQ
Aston University, Birmingham vs University of Salford: common questions
Is Aston University, Birmingham or University of Salford cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £17,040 at University of Salford: University of Salford is about £5,540 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,000 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £17,710 at University of Salford: University of Salford is about £6,290 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 Salford?
Both universities teach 36 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Business Studies, Building & Construction, Design & Fashion, Psychology (General), Biomedical Sciences, Marketing, Politics & International Relations, Sociology & Criminology, Computer Science, Finance & Actuarial Science, Aerospace Engineering and 24 more.
Is Aston University, Birmingham or University of Salford better for Business Studies?
Business Studies graduates earn a median £30,500 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, and £22,500 from University of Salford. Student satisfaction with teaching is 82% at Aston University, Birmingham and 99% at University of Salford. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Aston University, Birmingham or University of Salford offer more courses?
University of Salford lists 305 courses on CourseOptions and Aston University, Birmingham lists 169 courses.
What can you study at Aston University, Birmingham but not at University of Salford?
Aston University, Birmingham teaches 15 subject areas that University of Salford does not, including Chemical Engineering, Economics, General Engineering, English Language, Clinical & Health Psychology, Linguistics, Personal & Professional Development, Biological Sciences (General) and 7 more.
What can you study at University of Salford but not at Aston University, Birmingham?
University of Salford teaches 36 subject areas that Aston University, Birmingham does not, including Film Production & Cinematography, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Drama & Theatre, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Physics, Zoology & Animal Biology, Architecture, Human Geography & Environment and 28 more.
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