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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 St Andrews

St Andrews · QS World #115

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.

1/10

Aston

scored higher in 1 category

VS

9/10

St Andrews

scored higher in 9 categories

Quick Verdict

University of St Andrews leads in 9 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Aston University, Birmingham is ahead on employment.

Aston University, Birmingham vs University of St Andrews at a glance

Aston University, Birmingham and University of St Andrews both teach 22 subject areas, the largest being History, Economics and Politics & International Relations. Aston University, Birmingham offers 169 courses across 51 subject areas; University of St Andrews offers 1,157 courses across 64 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £30,160 at University of St Andrews: Aston University, Birmingham is about £7,580 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,000 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £27,200 at University of St Andrews: Aston University, Birmingham is about £3,200 a year cheaper.

Of the 9 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of St Andrews is higher in 7 and Aston University, Birmingham in 1, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £33,000 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, against £51,500 from University of St Andrews. Of the 10 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of St Andrews is higher in 5 and Aston University, Birmingham in 3, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#416
QS World
#115
#401
THE World
#162
#39
Guardian UK
#3
1895
Established
1413
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 St Andrews

85.2%
93.2%

Satisfaction

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

£37,600
£40,000

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.5%
74.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.1%
46.1%

International

International student share

169
1157

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
62

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

St Andrews

89 countries · 46.1% international

  • 🇺🇸United States42.3%
  • 🇨🇳China9%
  • 🇩🇪Germany4%
  • 🇮🇳India4%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong3.2%

Subjects

22 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 St Andrews

Also taught at both: Marketing, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Sociology & Criminology, Biochemistry, Software Engineering, Law, Personal & Professional Development.

Only at Aston University, Birmingham

Only at University of St Andrews

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 St Andrews
£30,160

Aston University, Birmingham is about £7,580 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Aston University, Birmingham
£24,000
University of St Andrews
£27,200

Aston University, Birmingham is about £3,200 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 St Andrews

  • History

    No dataSalary (3 years)£28,500
    95%Satisfaction97%

  • Economics

    £35,500Salary (3 years)£39,000
    95%Satisfaction93%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    81%Satisfaction95%

  • Mathematics

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£36,500
    94%Satisfaction94%

  • English Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    87%Satisfaction92%

  • Computer Science

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£51,500
    85%Satisfaction93%

  • Psychology (General)

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    92%Satisfaction89%

  • Medicine

    No dataSalary (3 years)£35,000
    90%Satisfaction94%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    90%Satisfaction81%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£34,000
    89%SatisfactionNo data

  • Biochemistry

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    92%Satisfaction92%

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Aston University, Birmingham

View all scholarships →

University of St Andrews

Applied Environmental Sciences MSc Awards - Women in Mining (WIM) UK

100%

Deadline: Jun 2026

Environmental Science MSc Awards - The Cunningham Scholarship UK

100%

Deadline: Jun 2026

Masters funding in Digital Health and Care

£10,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

School of Modern Languages Masters Scholarship

100%

Deadline: May 2026

University of Jordan Postgraduate Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Aston University, Birmingham vs University of St Andrews: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £30,160 at University of St Andrews: Aston University, Birmingham is about £7,580 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,000 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £27,200 at University of St Andrews: Aston University, Birmingham is about £3,200 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 St Andrews?

Both universities teach 22 subject areas: History, Economics, Politics & International Relations, Mathematics, English Studies, Media & Film Studies, Computer Science, Business Studies, Psychology (General), Management, Finance & Actuarial Science, Medicine and 10 more.

Is Aston University, Birmingham or University of St Andrews better for Economics?

Economics graduates earn a median £35,500 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, and £39,000 from University of St Andrews. Student satisfaction with teaching is 95% at Aston University, Birmingham and 93% at University of St Andrews. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Aston University, Birmingham or University of St Andrews offer more courses?

University of St Andrews lists 1,157 courses on CourseOptions and Aston University, Birmingham lists 169 courses.

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

Aston University, Birmingham teaches 29 subject areas that University of St Andrews does not, including Chemical Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Building & Construction, General Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Civil Engineering, English Language, Human Resource Management and 21 more.

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

University of St Andrews teaches 42 subject areas that Aston University, Birmingham does not, including African & Middle Eastern Studies, French, German & Scandinavian Studies, Italian, Ancient Languages, Classical Studies, History of Art & Design, Theology & Religious Studies and 34 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 St Andrews1,157 courses · 62 scholarshipsBrowse Courses