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
Oban
Head-to-Head Summary
Based on 7 datapoints
We looked at 7 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.
3/7
Aston
scored higher in 3 categories
4/7
Highlands and Islands (UHI)
scored higher in 4 categories
Quick Verdict
University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) leads in 4 of 7 categories where both have data (satisfaction, employment, courses, scholarship). Aston University, Birmingham is ahead on established, international, graduate salary.
Aston University, Birmingham vs University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) at a glance
Aston University, Birmingham and University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) both teach 31 subject areas, the largest being Business Studies, History and Politics & International Relations. Aston University, Birmingham offers 169 courses across 51 subject areas; University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) offers 244 courses across 70 subject areas.
Of the 18 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Aston University, Birmingham is higher in 17 and University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) in 0, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Optometry & Ophthalmics: £36,500 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, against £14,000 from University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI). Of the 18 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) is higher in 16 and Aston University, Birmingham in 2.
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 the Highlands and Islands (UHI)
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%
Highlands and Islands (UHI)
17 countries · 2.1% international
- 🇺🇸United States11.1%
- 🌐Brunei8.3%
- 🇮🇪Ireland8.3%
- 🇨🇦Canada5.6%
- 🇩🇪Germany5.6%
Subjects
31 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 the Highlands and Islands (UHI)
Business Studies
18 coursesTypical fee £23,500 (UG)
3 coursesFee not available
History
4 coursesTypical fee £22,580 (UG)
12 coursesFee not available
Politics & International Relations
Sociology & Criminology
Electronic & Electrical Engineering
General Engineering
Building & Construction
Business & Management (General)
Chemical Engineering
Computer Science
Health & Social Care
Psychology (General)
Accounting
Aerospace Engineering
Civil Engineering
Also taught at both: Design & Fashion, Information Systems & Data Science, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Software Engineering, Technology & Logistics, Media & Film Studies, Personal & Professional Development, Social Sciences (General), Adult Nursing, Biological Sciences (General), English Studies, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Management, Mental Health Nursing, Optometry & Ophthalmics.
Only at Aston University, Birmingham
Only at University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI)
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 the Highlands and Islands (UHI)
- No data
We do not have reliable international fee data for University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) yet.
Postgraduate
- Aston University, Birmingham
- £24,000
- University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI)
- No data
We do not have reliable international fee data for University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) yet.
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 the Highlands and Islands (UHI)
Business Studies
£30,500Salary (3 years)£18,00082%Satisfaction98%History
No dataSalary (3 years)£17,00095%Satisfaction98%Politics & International Relations
£27,500Salary (3 years)£19,00081%Satisfaction90%Sociology & Criminology
£23,000Salary (3 years)£18,50089%Satisfaction95%Electronic & Electrical Engineering
£32,500Salary (3 years)£21,50064%Satisfaction90%General Engineering
£31,000Salary (3 years)£21,00075%Satisfaction90%Building & Construction
£32,500Salary (3 years)£21,00082%Satisfaction100%Chemical Engineering
£31,000Salary (3 years)£21,00087%Satisfaction90%Computer Science
£33,000Salary (3 years)£18,50085%Satisfaction89%Psychology (General)
£24,500Salary (3 years)£21,00092%Satisfaction88%Accounting
£29,500Salary (3 years)£18,00086%Satisfaction91%Aerospace Engineering
£31,000Salary (3 years)£21,000No dataSatisfaction90%
Showing the 12 largest of 21 shared subjects with published outcomes.
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveAston University, Birmingham
View all scholarships →University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI)
Barns-Graham Travel Scholarship
£1,500
Deadline: Oct 2026
Scottish Land Commission Prize
£1,000
Deadline: N/A
Barns-Graham Assistance Award
£1,000
Deadline: Oct 2026
Dorothy Dunnett Centenary Awards
£1,000
Deadline: Dec 2026
Rural and Islands Bursary Fund
£1,000
Deadline: Oct 2026
FAQ
Aston University, Birmingham vs University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI): common questions
What subjects can you study at both Aston University, Birmingham and University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI)?
Both universities teach 31 subject areas: Business Studies, History, Politics & International Relations, Sociology & Criminology, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, General Engineering, Building & Construction, Business & Management (General), Chemical Engineering, Computer Science, Health & Social Care, Psychology (General) and 19 more.
Is Aston University, Birmingham or University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) better for Business Studies?
Business Studies graduates earn a median £30,500 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, and £18,000 from University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI). Student satisfaction with teaching is 82% at Aston University, Birmingham and 98% at University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI). Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Aston University, Birmingham or University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) offer more courses?
University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) lists 244 courses on CourseOptions and Aston University, Birmingham lists 169 courses.
What can you study at Aston University, Birmingham but not at University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI)?
Aston University, Birmingham teaches 20 subject areas that University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) does not, including Economics, Finance & Actuarial Science, Marketing, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biomedical Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, English Language, Human Resource Management and 12 more.
What can you study at University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) but not at Aston University, Birmingham?
University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) teaches 39 subject areas that Aston University, Birmingham does not, including Teacher Training, Cultural Studies, Archaeology, Agriculture & Land Management, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Music, Sport & Exercise Sciences, English Literature and 31 more.
Ready to explore courses?
Browse available courses, check entry requirements, and find scholarships at each university.