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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 the West of Scotland

Paisley · Guardian UK #115

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 8 datapoints

We looked at 8 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

6/8

Aston

scored higher in 6 categories

VS

2/8

West of Scotland

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

Aston University, Birmingham leads in 6 of 8 categories where both have data (ranking, established, employment, graduate salary, courses). University of the West of Scotland is ahead on satisfaction, international.

Aston University, Birmingham vs University of the West of Scotland at a glance

Aston University, Birmingham and University of the West of Scotland both teach 26 subject areas, the largest being Business Studies, General Engineering and Politics & International Relations. Aston University, Birmingham offers 169 courses across 51 subject areas; University of the West of Scotland offers 119 courses across 49 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £7,080 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,000 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £7,720 a year cheaper.

Of the 12 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Aston University, Birmingham is higher in 10 and University of the West of Scotland in 1, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Business Information Systems: £33,000 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, against £22,000 from University of the West of Scotland. Of the 9 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of the West of Scotland is higher in 4 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
—
#401
THE World
#601
#39
Guardian UK
#115
1895
Established
1897
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 the West of Scotland

85.2%
89%

Satisfaction

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

£37,600
£31,134.9

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.5%
81.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.1%
30.3%

International

International student share

169
119

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
0

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

West of Scotland

33 countries · 30.3% international

  • 🇵🇰Pakistan36.2%
  • 🌐Nepal20.4%
  • 🇮🇳India19.3%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria7.4%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh5.3%

Subjects

26 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 West of Scotland

Also taught at both: Design & Fashion, Law, Public Health & Epidemiology, Social Sciences (General), Technology & Logistics, Health & Social Care, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Media & Film Studies, Adult Nursing, Healthcare Science, Mental Health Nursing.

Only at Aston University, Birmingham

Only at University of the West of Scotland

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 West of Scotland
£15,500

University of the West of Scotland is about £7,080 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Aston University, Birmingham
£24,000
University of the West of Scotland
£16,280

University of the West of Scotland is about £7,720 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 the West of Scotland

  • Business Studies

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    82%Satisfaction75%

  • General Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    75%Satisfaction92%

  • Business Information Systems

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£22,000
    84%Satisfaction85%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    64%Satisfaction80%

  • Accounting

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    86%Satisfaction86%

  • Sociology & Criminology

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

  • English Language

    £24,000Salary (3 years)No data
    86%Satisfaction83%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    80%Satisfaction89%

  • Aerospace Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    No dataSatisfaction100%

  • Law

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    89%SatisfactionNo data

  • Adult Nursing

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    91%Satisfaction87%

  • Healthcare Science

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£28,500
    82%SatisfactionNo data

Showing the 12 largest of 13 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Aston University, Birmingham

View all scholarships →

University of the West of Scotland

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Aston University, Birmingham vs University of the West of Scotland: common questions

Is Aston University, Birmingham or University of the West of Scotland cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £7,080 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,000 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £7,720 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 the West of Scotland?

Both universities teach 26 subject areas: Business Studies, General Engineering, Politics & International Relations, Business Information Systems, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Marketing, Psychology (General), Accounting, Biomedical Sciences, Business & Management (General), Sociology & Criminology, English Language and 14 more.

Is Aston University, Birmingham or University of the West of Scotland better for Business Studies?

Business Studies graduates earn a median £30,500 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, and £21,000 from University of the West of Scotland. Student satisfaction with teaching is 82% at Aston University, Birmingham and 75% at University of the West of Scotland. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Aston University, Birmingham or University of the West of Scotland offer more courses?

Aston University, Birmingham lists 169 courses on CourseOptions and University of the West of Scotland lists 119 courses.

What can you study at Aston University, Birmingham but not at University of the West of Scotland?

Aston University, Birmingham teaches 25 subject areas that University of the West of Scotland does not, including Chemical Engineering, Economics, Finance & Actuarial Science, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Building & Construction, Biomedical Engineering, Civil Engineering, History and 17 more.

What can you study at University of the West of Scotland but not at Aston University, Birmingham?

University of the West of Scotland teaches 23 subject areas that Aston University, Birmingham does not, including Teacher Training, Applied Computing, Chemistry, Computing & IT, Applied Psychology, Childhood & Youth Studies, Physics, Social Work and 15 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 the West of Scotland119 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses