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
Sunderland · Guardian UK #86
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.
6/9
Aston
scored higher in 6 categories
3/9
Sunderland
scored higher in 3 categories
Quick Verdict
Aston University, Birmingham leads in 6 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, TEF, established, employment, graduate salary). University of Sunderland is ahead on satisfaction, international, courses.
Aston University, Birmingham vs University of Sunderland at a glance
Aston University, Birmingham and University of Sunderland both teach 33 subject areas, the largest being Business Studies, Law and Electronic & Electrical Engineering. Aston University, Birmingham offers 169 courses across 51 subject areas; University of Sunderland offers 193 courses across 56 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £17,500 at University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland is about £5,080 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,000 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £17,000 at University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland is about £7,000 a year cheaper.
Of the 19 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Aston University, Birmingham is higher in 19 and University of Sunderland in 0. The widest gap is in Economics: £35,500 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, against £18,500 from University of Sunderland. Of the 18 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Sunderland is higher in 10 and Aston University, Birmingham in 7, with 1 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 Sunderland
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%
Sunderland
56 countries · 36.5% international
- 🌐Nepal29.5%
- 🇮🇳India17.7%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria16.6%
- 🇨🇳China7.3%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan6.9%
Subjects
33 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 Sunderland
Business Studies
18 coursesTypical fee £23,500 (UG)
7 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
Law
2 coursesTypical fee £22,580 (UG)
12 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
Electronic & Electrical Engineering
Marketing
Psychology (General)
Computer Science
Finance & Actuarial Science
Design & Fashion
Business & Management (General)
Media & Film Studies
Software Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Economics
Human Resource Management
Mechanical Engineering
Also taught at both: Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences, General Engineering, Sociology & Criminology, Accounting, Health & Social Care, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Mathematics, Clinical & Health Psychology, English Studies, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Healthcare Science, Management, Pharmacy, Adult Nursing, Medicine, Mental Health Nursing, Social Sciences (General).
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 Sunderland
- £17,500
University of Sunderland is about £5,080 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Aston University, Birmingham
- £24,000
- University of Sunderland
- £17,000
University of Sunderland is about £7,000 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 Sunderland
Business Studies
£30,500Salary (3 years)£20,00082%Satisfaction91%Law
£23,000Salary (3 years)£19,00089%Satisfaction95%Electronic & Electrical Engineering
£32,500Salary (3 years)£26,50064%Satisfaction76%Marketing
£28,500Salary (3 years)£20,00079%Satisfaction91%Psychology (General)
£24,500Salary (3 years)£19,00092%Satisfaction88%Computer Science
£33,000Salary (3 years)£25,50085%Satisfaction78%Finance & Actuarial Science
£30,000Salary (3 years)£20,00085%Satisfaction85%Software Engineering
£33,000Salary (3 years)£25,50084%Satisfaction92%Economics
£35,500Salary (3 years)£18,50095%Satisfaction89%Human Resource Management
£30,000Salary (3 years)£20,00083%Satisfaction98%Mechanical Engineering
£32,000Salary (3 years)£26,50080%Satisfaction82%Biochemistry
£25,500Salary (3 years)£22,50092%Satisfaction90%
Showing the 12 largest of 19 shared subjects with published outcomes.
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveAston University, Birmingham
View all scholarships →University of Sunderland
View all scholarships →FAQ
Aston University, Birmingham vs University of Sunderland: common questions
Is Aston University, Birmingham or University of Sunderland cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £17,500 at University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland is about £5,080 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,000 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £17,000 at University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland is about £7,000 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 Sunderland?
Both universities teach 33 subject areas: Business Studies, Law, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Marketing, Psychology (General), Computer Science, Finance & Actuarial Science, Design & Fashion, Business & Management (General), Media & Film Studies, Software Engineering, Chemical Engineering and 21 more.
Is Aston University, Birmingham or University of Sunderland better for Business Studies?
Business Studies graduates earn a median £30,500 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, and £20,000 from University of Sunderland. Student satisfaction with teaching is 82% at Aston University, Birmingham and 91% at University of Sunderland. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Aston University, Birmingham or University of Sunderland offer more courses?
University of Sunderland lists 193 courses on CourseOptions and Aston University, Birmingham lists 169 courses.
What can you study at Aston University, Birmingham but not at University of Sunderland?
Aston University, Birmingham teaches 18 subject areas that University of Sunderland does not, including Politics & International Relations, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Building & Construction, Biomedical Engineering, Civil Engineering, English Language, History, Information Systems & Data Science and 10 more.
What can you study at University of Sunderland but not at Aston University, Birmingham?
University of Sunderland teaches 23 subject areas that Aston University, Birmingham does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Film Production & Cinematography, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Journalism, Chemistry, Childhood & Youth Studies, Fine Art, Geology & Earth Sciences and 15 more.
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