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.
Bath · Guardian UK #104
Birmingham
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.
5/7
Bath Spa
scored higher in 5 categories
2/7
University College Birmingham
scored higher in 2 categories
Quick Verdict
Bath Spa University leads in 5 of 7 categories where both have data (established, employment, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University College Birmingham is ahead on satisfaction, international.
Bath Spa University vs University College Birmingham at a glance
Bath Spa University and University College Birmingham both teach 17 subject areas, the largest being Design & Fashion, Hospitality, Events & Tourism and Sociology & Criminology. Bath Spa University offers 249 courses across 45 subject areas; University College Birmingham offers 115 courses across 36 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,330 a year at Bath Spa University and £13,500 at University College Birmingham: University College Birmingham is about £4,830 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,760 a year at Bath Spa University and £17,000 at University College Birmingham: University College Birmingham is about £1,760 a year cheaper.
Of the 8 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Bath Spa University is higher in 8 and University College Birmingham in 0. The widest gap is in Education Studies: £22,500 three years after graduating from Bath Spa University, against £17,000 from University College Birmingham. Of the 9 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University College Birmingham is higher in 6 and Bath Spa University in 3.
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.
Bath Spa University
University College Birmingham
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.
Bath Spa
40 countries · 2.7% international
- 🇷🇴Romania25.3%
- 🇮🇳India17.7%
- 🇨🇳China9.5%
- 🌐Bulgaria5.7%
- 🇺🇸United States3.8%
University College Birmingham
26 countries · 47% international
- 🌐Nepal48.9%
- 🇮🇳India24.7%
- 🇨🇳China11.5%
- 🇧🇩Bangladesh3.8%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan3.3%
Subjects
17 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.
Bath Spa University
University College Birmingham
Design & Fashion
21 coursesTypical fee £19,330 (UG)
2 coursesFee not available
Hospitality, Events & Tourism
4 coursesTypical fee £17,310 (UG)
15 coursesTypical fee £13,500 (UG)
Sociology & Criminology
15 coursesTypical fee £17,310 (UG)
4 coursesTypical fee £16,000 (UG)
Business Studies
10 coursesTypical fee £17,310 (UG)
5 coursesTypical fee £13,500 (UG)
Education Studies
11 coursesTypical fee £18,330 (UG)
3 coursesTypical fee £15,500 (UG)
Computer Science
10 coursesTypical fee £18,760 (PG)
2 coursesTypical fee £13,500 (UG)
Business & Management (General)
Childhood & Youth Studies
Marketing
Psychology (General)
Nutrition & Dietetics
Applied Psychology
Architecture
Creative Arts (General)
Politics & International Relations
Also taught at both: Software Engineering, Developmental & Educational Psychology.
Only at Bath Spa University
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
- Bath Spa University
- £18,330
- University College Birmingham
- £13,500
University College Birmingham is about £4,830 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Bath Spa University
- £18,760
- University College Birmingham
- £17,000
University College Birmingham is about £1,760 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.
Bath Spa University
University College Birmingham
Design & Fashion
£21,000Salary (3 years)£18,50084%SatisfactionNo dataHospitality, Events & Tourism
£24,500Salary (3 years)£20,00086%Satisfaction93%Business Studies
£25,000Salary (3 years)£21,00085%Satisfaction86%Education Studies
£22,500Salary (3 years)£17,00085%Satisfaction98%Computer Science
No dataSalary (3 years)No data93%Satisfaction87%Business & Management (General)
£24,500Salary (3 years)£20,00086%Satisfaction93%Childhood & Youth Studies
£21,000Salary (3 years)£20,50079%Satisfaction98%Marketing
£24,000Salary (3 years)£20,00090%Satisfaction85%Architecture
No dataSalary (3 years)No data97%Satisfaction91%Creative Arts (General)
£20,000Salary (3 years)£18,50065%SatisfactionNo dataSoftware Engineering
No dataSalary (3 years)No data83%Satisfaction89%
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveBath Spa University
Explore It! Launch It! Grow It!
£5,000
Deadline: N/A
International Recruitment Office Scholarship
£5,000
Deadline: Jun 2026
MyWorld Scholarship
£5,000
Deadline: N/A
Global Horizons Award
£3,500
Deadline: N/A
Postgraduate Alumni Scholarship
£2,000
Deadline: N/A
University College Birmingham
GREAT Scholarship
£10,000
Deadline: N/A
Vice-Chancellor's Award
100%
Deadline: N/A
Dean's Award
50%
Deadline: N/A
Early Action Scholarship
£4,500
Deadline: Jul 2026
Alumni Scholarship
25%
Deadline: N/A
FAQ
Bath Spa University vs University College Birmingham: common questions
Is Bath Spa University or University College Birmingham cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,330 a year at Bath Spa University and £13,500 at University College Birmingham: University College Birmingham is about £4,830 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,760 a year at Bath Spa University and £17,000 at University College Birmingham: University College Birmingham is about £1,760 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 Bath Spa University and University College Birmingham?
Both universities teach 17 subject areas: Design & Fashion, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Sociology & Criminology, Business Studies, Education Studies, Computer Science, Business & Management (General), Childhood & Youth Studies, Marketing, Psychology (General), Nutrition & Dietetics, Applied Psychology and 5 more.
Is Bath Spa University or University College Birmingham better for Design & Fashion?
Design & Fashion graduates earn a median £21,000 three years after graduating from Bath Spa University, and £18,500 from University College Birmingham. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Bath Spa University or University College Birmingham offer more courses?
Bath Spa University lists 249 courses on CourseOptions and University College Birmingham lists 115 courses.
What can you study at Bath Spa University but not at University College Birmingham?
Bath Spa University teaches 28 subject areas that University College Birmingham does not, including Media & Film Studies, Creative Writing, Drama & Theatre, Film Production & Cinematography, English Literature, Music, History, Law and 20 more.
What can you study at University College Birmingham but not at Bath Spa University?
University College Birmingham teaches 19 subject areas that Bath Spa University does not, including Sport & Exercise Sciences, Building & Construction, Food Science, Finance & Actuarial Science, Health & Social Care, Food Production & Technology, Planning & Housing, Crafts & Applied Arts and 11 more.
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