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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 Southampton

Southampton · QS World #111

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.

3/12

Aston

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

9/12

Southampton

scored higher in 9 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Southampton leads in 9 of 12 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, international, courses, scholarship). Aston University, Birmingham is ahead on TEF, employment, graduate salary.

Aston University, Birmingham vs University of Southampton at a glance

Aston University, Birmingham and University of Southampton both teach 46 subject areas, the largest being Electronic & Electrical Engineering, General Engineering and Business & Management (General). Aston University, Birmingham offers 169 courses across 51 subject areas; University of Southampton offers 545 courses across 91 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £26,000 at University of Southampton: Aston University, Birmingham is about £3,420 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,000 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £31,200 at University of Southampton: Aston University, Birmingham is about £7,200 a year cheaper.

Of the 27 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Southampton is higher in 22 and Aston University, Birmingham in 4, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £33,000 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, against £47,000 from University of Southampton. Of the 28 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Aston University, Birmingham is higher in 14 and University of Southampton in 14.

World & National Rankings

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

#416
QS World
#111
#401
THE World
#129
#39
Guardian UK
#16
1895
Established
1862
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 Southampton

85.2%
87%

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%
82.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.1%
35.1%

International

International student share

169
545

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
52

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

Southampton

103 countries · 35.1% international

  • 🇨🇳China63.5%
  • 🇮🇳India4.8%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia2.8%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia2.6%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.5%

Subjects

46 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 Southampton

Also taught at both: Politics & International Relations, Design & Fashion, Mathematics, Law, Psychology (General), Software Engineering, Accounting, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Building & Construction, Biomedical Engineering, Clinical & Health Psychology, English Language, Healthcare Science, Information Systems & Data Science, Management, Biochemistry, Health & Social Care, Human Resource Management, Statistics, Adult Nursing, Medicine, Technology & Logistics, English Studies, Personal & Professional Development, Biological Sciences (General), Business Information Systems, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Mental Health Nursing, Social Sciences (General).

Only at Aston University, Birmingham

Only at University of Southampton

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 Southampton
£26,000

Aston University, Birmingham is about £3,420 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Aston University, Birmingham
£24,000
University of Southampton
£31,200

Aston University, Birmingham is about £7,200 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 Southampton

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£40,500
    64%Satisfaction89%

  • General Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£34,500
    75%Satisfaction90%

  • Business Studies

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£31,500
    82%Satisfaction66%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£39,500
    85%Satisfaction84%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£34,500
    80%Satisfaction87%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£34,500
    87%Satisfaction89%

  • Civil Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    83%Satisfaction93%

  • Aerospace Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    No dataSatisfaction94%

  • History

    No dataSalary (3 years)£26,500
    95%Satisfaction91%

  • Computer Science

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£47,000
    85%Satisfaction80%

  • Economics

    £35,500Salary (3 years)£34,000
    95%Satisfaction85%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    89%Satisfaction86%

Showing the 12 largest of 29 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Aston University, Birmingham

View all scholarships →

University of Southampton

Horizon Europe fee waiver

100%

Deadline: N/A

Cowrie Foundation Scholarship

£8,000

Deadline: N/A

Xiamen University PhD Scholarships

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sociology Criminology International Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Southampton Ageing & Gerontology Talent Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Aston University, Birmingham vs University of Southampton: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £26,000 at University of Southampton: Aston University, Birmingham is about £3,420 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,000 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £31,200 at University of Southampton: Aston University, Birmingham is about £7,200 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 Southampton?

Both universities teach 46 subject areas: Electronic & Electrical Engineering, General Engineering, Business & Management (General), Business Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, History, Computer Science, Economics and 34 more.

Is Aston University, Birmingham or University of Southampton better for Electronic & Electrical Engineering?

Electronic & Electrical Engineering graduates earn a median £32,500 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, and £40,500 from University of Southampton. Student satisfaction with teaching is 64% at Aston University, Birmingham and 89% at University of Southampton. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Southampton lists 545 courses on CourseOptions and Aston University, Birmingham lists 169 courses.

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

Aston University, Birmingham teaches 5 subject areas that University of Southampton does not, including Linguistics, Public Health & Epidemiology, Biotechnology, Optometry & Ophthalmics and Pharmacy.

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

University of Southampton teaches 45 subject areas that Aston University, Birmingham does not, including Geology & Earth Sciences, Physics, Archaeology, Ancient Languages, English Literature, Environmental Sciences, Chemistry, Marine Engineering & Technology and 37 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 Southampton545 courses · 52 scholarshipsBrowse Courses