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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
Birmingham City University

Birmingham · QS World #1001

D
Durham University

Durham · QS World #85

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 4 datapoints

We looked at 4 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

1/4

Birmingham City

scored higher in 1 category

VS

3/4

Durham

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

Durham University leads in 3 of 4 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, scholarship). Birmingham City University is ahead on courses.

Birmingham City University vs Durham University at a glance

Birmingham City University and Durham University both teach 30 subject areas, the largest being Childhood & Youth Studies, Computer Science and Law. Birmingham City University offers 284 courses across 68 subject areas; Durham University offers 278 courses across 54 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,570 a year at Birmingham City University and £31,000 at Durham University: Birmingham City University is about £12,430 a year cheaper.

Of the 12 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Durham University is higher in 11 and Birmingham City University in 0, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Accounting: £23,500 three years after graduating from Birmingham City University, against £44,000 from Durham University. Of the 14 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Durham University is higher in 9 and Birmingham City University in 4, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#1001
QS World
#85
—
THE World
#175
—
Guardian UK
#6
N/A
Established
1832
No
Russell Group
Yes
—
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Birmingham City University

Durham University

No data
90.7%

Satisfaction

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

No data
£43,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

No data
74.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

No data
32.6%

International

International student share

284
278

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

10
102

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.

Birmingham City

No published data on international students

    VS

    Durham

    86 countries · 32.6% international

    • 🇨🇳China49.5%
    • 🇭🇰Hong Kong7.4%
    • 🇮🇳India5.9%
    • 🇺🇸United States4.9%
    • 🇸🇬Singapore2.6%

    Subjects

    30 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.

    Birmingham City University

    Durham University

    Also taught at both: Management, Mathematics, English Studies, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Music, Teacher Training, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Clinical Specialities, Developmental & Educational Psychology, English Literature, Mechanical Engineering, Biochemistry, English Language, Manufacturing & Production Engineering.

    Only at Birmingham City University

    Only at Durham 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

    Birmingham City University
    £18,570
    Durham University
    £31,000

    Birmingham City University is about £12,430 a year cheaper.

    Postgraduate

    Birmingham City University
    No data
    Durham University
    £30,500

    We do not have reliable international fee data for Birmingham City University 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.

    Birmingham City University

    Durham University

    • Computer Science

      £23,500Salary (3 years)£40,000
      78%Satisfaction87%

    • Law

      £20,000Salary (3 years)£36,000
      80%Satisfaction90%

    • Business Studies

      £22,500Salary (3 years)£41,000
      85%Satisfaction83%

    • Psychology (General)

      £19,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
      79%Satisfaction91%

    • Accounting

      £23,500Salary (3 years)£44,000
      74%Satisfaction89%

    • Economics

      £24,000Salary (3 years)£42,000
      77%Satisfaction90%

    • Finance & Actuarial Science

      £23,000Salary (3 years)£42,000
      80%Satisfaction89%

    • Sociology & Criminology

      £22,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
      89%Satisfaction89%

    • Education Studies

      £20,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
      88%Satisfaction86%

    • Sport & Exercise Sciences

      No dataSalary (3 years)£25,000
      90%Satisfaction92%

    • English Studies

      £21,000Salary (3 years)No data
      95%Satisfaction98%

    • Music

      £19,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
      95%Satisfaction97%

    Showing the 12 largest of 14 shared subjects with published outcomes.

    Scholarships for International Students

    Exclusive

    Birmingham City University

    Henderson Bursaries and Scholarships 2026

    £10,000

    Deadline: N/A

    Henderson Bursaries and Scholarships 2026

    £10,000

    Deadline: N/A

    Millennium Point Scholarship

    100%

    Deadline: N/A

    Scott Trust Bursary

    £7,415

    Deadline: N/A

    Santander Scholarship

    £2,000

    Deadline: N/A

    View all scholarships →

    Durham University

    Sir Harry Evans Global Fellowship

    £53,333

    Deadline: N/A

    Durham Inspiring Excellence Scholarships - Undergraduate

    £30,000

    Deadline: N/A

    The Global DBA Scholarships

    £25,000

    Deadline: Nov 2026

    The Mary Ward Postgraduate Scholarship Fund

    £25,000

    Deadline: N/A

    Global Grand Challenges Studentships

    £20,780

    Deadline: N/A

    View all scholarships →

    FAQ

    Birmingham City University vs Durham University: common questions

    Is Birmingham City University or Durham University cheaper for international students?

    For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,570 a year at Birmingham City University and £31,000 at Durham University: Birmingham City University is about £12,430 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 Birmingham City University and Durham University?

    Both universities teach 30 subject areas: Childhood & Youth Studies, Computer Science, Law, Business Studies, Psychology (General), Accounting, Economics, Finance & Actuarial Science, Sociology & Criminology, Politics & International Relations, Marketing, Education Studies and 18 more.

    Is Birmingham City University or Durham University better for Computer Science?

    Computer Science graduates earn a median £23,500 three years after graduating from Birmingham City University, and £40,000 from Durham University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 78% at Birmingham City University and 87% at Durham University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

    Does Birmingham City University or Durham University offer more courses?

    Birmingham City University lists 284 courses on CourseOptions and Durham University lists 278 courses.

    What can you study at Birmingham City University but not at Durham University?

    Birmingham City University teaches 38 subject areas that Durham University does not, including Design & Fashion, Nursing (General), Building & Construction, Film Production & Cinematography, Games Design & Computer Animation, Media & Film Studies, Health & Social Care, Software Engineering and 30 more.

    What can you study at Durham University but not at Birmingham City University?

    Durham University teaches 24 subject areas that Birmingham City University does not, including Theology & Religious Studies, Archaeology, General Engineering, Anthropology, Chemistry, Classical Studies, Geology & Earth Sciences, Natural Sciences and 16 more.

    Ready to explore courses?

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

    B
    Birmingham City University284 courses · 10 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
    D
    Durham University278 courses · 102 scholarshipsBrowse Courses