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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.

B
Bath Spa University

Bath · Guardian UK #104

U
University of Birmingham

Birmingham · QS World #68

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.

3/9

Bath Spa

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

6/9

Birmingham

scored higher in 6 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Birmingham leads in 6 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses). Bath Spa University is ahead on established, employment, scholarship.

Bath Spa University vs University of Birmingham at a glance

Bath Spa University and University of Birmingham both teach 33 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Law and History. Bath Spa University offers 249 courses across 45 subject areas; University of Birmingham offers 663 courses across 101 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,330 a year at Bath Spa University and £27,090 at University of Birmingham: Bath Spa University is about £8,760 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,760 a year at Bath Spa University and £23,390 at University of Birmingham: Bath Spa University is about £4,630 a year cheaper.

Of the 19 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Birmingham is higher in 18 and Bath Spa University in 1. The widest gap is in Economics: £21,000 three years after graduating from Bath Spa University, against £34,500 from University of Birmingham. Of the 21 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Bath Spa University is higher in 12 and University of Birmingham in 7, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
#68
—
THE World
#98
#104
Guardian UK
#18
1898
Established
1900
No
Russell Group
Yes
Silver
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.

Bath Spa University

University of Birmingham

86.2%
86.7%

Satisfaction

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

£27,000
£38,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

85%
83.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

2.7%
31.2%

International

International student share

249
663

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

20
3

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%
VS

Birmingham

104 countries · 31.2% international

  • 🇨🇳China55.7%
  • 🇮🇳India9.4%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.2%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.8%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia2%

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.

Bath Spa University

University of Birmingham

Also taught at both: Psychology (General), Childhood & Youth Studies, Biomedical Sciences, Economics, English Literature, Environmental Sciences, Film Production & Cinematography, Geography (General), Accounting, Biology, Applied Psychology, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Heritage & Conservation, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Software Engineering, Human Resource Management, Physical Geography & Climate, Developmental & Educational Psychology.

Only at Bath Spa University

Only at University of 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

Bath Spa University
£18,330
University of Birmingham
£27,090

Bath Spa University is about £8,760 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Bath Spa University
£18,760
University of Birmingham
£23,390

Bath Spa University is about £4,630 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 of Birmingham

  • Politics & International Relations

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    81%Satisfaction86%

  • Law

    No dataSalary (3 years)£27,500
    90%Satisfaction83%

  • History

    £22,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    99%Satisfaction89%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    84%Satisfaction83%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £20,000Salary (3 years)No data
    89%Satisfaction95%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£35,000
    86%Satisfaction79%

  • Education Studies

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    85%Satisfaction83%

  • Marketing

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£35,000
    90%Satisfaction79%

  • Music

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    93%Satisfaction89%

  • Business Studies

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£35,000
    85%Satisfaction77%

  • Computer Science

    No dataSalary (3 years)£40,000
    93%Satisfaction93%

  • Creative Writing

    £18,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    90%Satisfaction88%

Showing the 12 largest of 22 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Bath 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

View all scholarships →

University of Birmingham

Enhanced Chamberlain Award

£3,500

Deadline: N/A

University Music Scholarships

£3,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

University Music Scholarships

£1,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Bath Spa University vs University of Birmingham: common questions

Is Bath Spa University or University of Birmingham cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,330 a year at Bath Spa University and £27,090 at University of Birmingham: Bath Spa University is about £8,760 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,760 a year at Bath Spa University and £23,390 at University of Birmingham: Bath Spa University is about £4,630 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 of Birmingham?

Both universities teach 33 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Law, History, Sociology & Criminology, Media & Film Studies, Business & Management (General), Education Studies, Teacher Training, Marketing, Music, Philosophy, Business Studies and 21 more.

Is Bath Spa University or University of Birmingham better for Politics & International Relations?

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £21,000 three years after graduating from Bath Spa University, and £28,000 from University of Birmingham. Student satisfaction with teaching is 81% at Bath Spa University and 86% at University of Birmingham. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Bath Spa University or University of Birmingham offer more courses?

University of Birmingham lists 663 courses on CourseOptions and Bath Spa University lists 249 courses.

What can you study at Bath Spa University but not at University of Birmingham?

Bath Spa University teaches 12 subject areas that University of Birmingham does not, including Design & Fashion, Nutrition & Dietetics, Fine Art, Architecture, Dance, Creative Arts (General), Applied Computing, Ecology & Conservation and 4 more.

What can you study at University of Birmingham but not at Bath Spa University?

University of Birmingham teaches 68 subject areas that Bath Spa University does not, including Health & Social Care, Civil Engineering, Geology & Earth Sciences, International Development, Physics, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Ancient Languages and 60 more.

Ready to explore courses?

Browse available courses, check entry requirements, and find scholarships at each university.

B
Bath Spa University249 courses · 20 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Birmingham663 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses