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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 South Wales

Pontypridd · QS World #1201

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

South Wales

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

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

Aston University, Birmingham vs University of South Wales at a glance

Aston University, Birmingham and University of South Wales both teach 32 subject areas, the largest being Psychology (General), Healthcare Science and Business & Management (General). Aston University, Birmingham offers 169 courses across 51 subject areas; University of South Wales offers 331 courses across 63 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £16,200 at University of South Wales: University of South Wales is about £6,380 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,000 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £17,900 at University of South Wales: University of South Wales is about £6,100 a year cheaper.

Of the 16 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Aston University, Birmingham is higher in 13 and University of South Wales in 3. The widest gap is in Software Engineering: £33,000 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, against £19,500 from University of South Wales. Of the 16 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of South Wales is higher in 10 and Aston University, Birmingham in 4, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#416
QS World
#1201
#401
THE World
#1201
#39
Guardian UK
#83
1895
Established
1913
No
Russell Group
No
Gold
TEF Rating
—

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 South Wales

85.2%
86.7%

Satisfaction

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

£37,600
£27,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.5%
84.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.1%
22%

International

International student share

169
331

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
23

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

South Wales

71 countries · 22% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria17.6%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh16.6%
  • 🇮🇳India16.1%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan15.7%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka6.6%

Subjects

32 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 South Wales

Also taught at both: Politics & International Relations, Sociology & Criminology, Accounting, Biomedical Sciences, Computer Science, Information Systems & Data Science, Media & Film Studies, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, General Engineering, History, Human Resource Management, Health & Social Care, Management, Social Sciences (General), Public Health & Epidemiology, English Studies, Statistics.

Only at Aston University, Birmingham

Only at University of South Wales

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 South Wales
£16,200

University of South Wales is about £6,380 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Aston University, Birmingham
£24,000
University of South Wales
£17,900

University of South Wales is about £6,100 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 South Wales

  • Psychology (General)

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    92%Satisfaction90%

  • Business Studies

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£19,000
    82%Satisfaction91%

  • Law

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    89%Satisfaction96%

  • Building & Construction

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£40,500
    82%Satisfaction88%

  • Aerospace Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    No dataSatisfaction89%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    64%Satisfaction94%

  • Marketing

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£19,000
    79%Satisfaction94%

  • Software Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£19,500
    84%Satisfaction81%

  • Civil Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    83%Satisfaction83%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
    85%Satisfaction90%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    80%Satisfaction90%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    89%Satisfaction83%

Showing the 12 largest of 17 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Aston University, Birmingham

View all scholarships →

University of South Wales

USW Postgraduate Refugee Sanctuary Scheme

100%

Deadline: N/A

USW Postgraduate Sanctuary Scholarship 2026/2027

100%

Deadline: Jul 2026

USW Postgraduate Sanctuary Scholarship 2027/2028

100%

Deadline: Jul 2027

USW Refugee Sanctuary Scheme

100%

Deadline: N/A

Undergraduate Sanctuary Scholarship 2026/2027

100%

Deadline: Jul 2026

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Aston University, Birmingham vs University of South Wales: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £16,200 at University of South Wales: University of South Wales is about £6,380 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,000 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £17,900 at University of South Wales: University of South Wales is about £6,100 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 South Wales?

Both universities teach 32 subject areas: Psychology (General), Healthcare Science, Business & Management (General), Business Studies, Law, Building & Construction, Aerospace Engineering, Design & Fashion, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Marketing, Software Engineering, Civil Engineering and 20 more.

Is Aston University, Birmingham or University of South Wales better for Psychology (General)?

Psychology (General) graduates earn a median £24,500 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, and £19,500 from University of South Wales. Student satisfaction with teaching is 92% at Aston University, Birmingham and 90% at University of South Wales. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Aston University, Birmingham or University of South Wales offer more courses?

University of South Wales lists 331 courses on CourseOptions and Aston University, Birmingham lists 169 courses.

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

Aston University, Birmingham teaches 19 subject areas that University of South Wales does not, including Chemical Engineering, Economics, Biomedical Engineering, English Language, Mathematics, Technology & Logistics, Biochemistry, Clinical & Health Psychology and 11 more.

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

University of South Wales teaches 31 subject areas that Aston University, Birmingham does not, including Nursing (General), Sport & Exercise Sciences, Film Production & Cinematography, Teacher Training, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Childhood & Youth Studies, Forensic Science, Music and 23 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 South Wales331 courses · 23 scholarshipsBrowse Courses