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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

O
Open University

None · THE World #801

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 2 datapoints

We looked at 2 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

1/2

Birmingham City

scored higher in 1 category

VS

1/2

Open

scored higher in 1 category

Quick Verdict

Birmingham City University and Open University are evenly matched: each leads in 1 of 2 categories where both have data. Birmingham City University is ahead on scholarship; Open University on courses.

Birmingham City University vs Open University at a glance

Birmingham City University and Open University both teach 37 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Childhood & Youth Studies and Business & Management (General). Birmingham City University offers 284 courses across 68 subject areas; Open University offers 337 courses across 68 subject areas.

Of the 25 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Open University is higher in 18 and Birmingham City University in 5, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Software Engineering: £23,000 three years after graduating from Birmingham City University, against £38,000 from Open University. Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Open University is higher in 14 and Birmingham City University in 7, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#1001
QS World
—
—
THE World
#801
—
Guardian UK
—
N/A
Established
1969
No
Russell Group
No
—
TEF Rating
Gold

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Birmingham City University

Open University

No data
89.8%

Satisfaction

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

No data
£29,900

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

No data
72.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

No data
0.2%

International

International student share

284
337

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

10
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.

Birmingham City

No published data on international students

    VS

    Open

    25 countries · 0.2% international

    • 🇩🇪Germany8.9%
    • 🌐Cyprus (European Union)6.7%
    • 🇫🇷France6.7%
    • 🇨🇳China4.4%
    • 🇮🇳India4.4%

    Subjects

    37 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

    Open University

    Also taught at both: Accounting, Finance & Actuarial Science, English Language, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Biomedical Sciences, Music, Teacher Training, Economics, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Human Resource Management, Information Systems & Data Science, Politics & International Relations, English Literature, Applied Psychology, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Creative Writing, English Studies, Management, Mental Health Nursing, Adult Nursing, Children's Nursing, Learning Disabilities Nursing.

    Only at Birmingham City University

    Only at Open 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
    Open University
    No data

    We do not have reliable international fee data for Open 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

    Open University

    • Computer Science

      £23,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
      78%Satisfaction91%

    • Childhood & Youth Studies

      £18,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
      84%Satisfaction90%

    • Business & Management (General)

      £23,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
      83%Satisfaction95%

    • Law

      £20,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
      80%Satisfaction96%

    • Sociology & Criminology

      £22,000Salary (3 years)£17,000
      89%Satisfaction89%

    • Design & Fashion

      £20,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
      92%Satisfaction84%

    • Nursing (General)

      £29,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
      91%Satisfaction89%

    • Psychology (General)

      £19,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
      79%Satisfaction88%

    • Education Studies

      £20,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
      88%Satisfaction89%

    • Health Sciences & Paramedic Science

      £28,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
      82%Satisfaction91%

    • Social Work

      £31,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
      83%Satisfaction93%

    • Sport & Exercise Sciences

      No dataSalary (3 years)£26,000
      90%Satisfaction92%

    Showing the 12 largest of 26 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 →

    Open University

    View all scholarships →

    FAQ

    Birmingham City University vs Open University: common questions

    What subjects can you study at both Birmingham City University and Open University?

    Both universities teach 37 subject areas: Computer Science, Childhood & Youth Studies, Business & Management (General), Law, Sociology & Criminology, Design & Fashion, Nursing (General), Psychology (General), Education Studies, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Mathematics, Social Work and 25 more.

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

    Computer Science graduates earn a median £23,500 three years after graduating from Birmingham City University, and £33,500 from Open University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 78% at Birmingham City University and 91% at Open University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

    Does Birmingham City University or Open University offer more courses?

    Open University lists 337 courses on CourseOptions and Birmingham City University lists 284 courses.

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

    Birmingham City University teaches 31 subject areas that Open University does not, including Marketing, Building & Construction, Film Production & Cinematography, Games Design & Computer Animation, Business Studies, Media & Film Studies, Civil Engineering, Architecture and 23 more.

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

    Open University teaches 31 subject areas that Birmingham City University does not, including History, Humanities, General Engineering, Computing & IT, Physics, Combined & General Studies, Environmental Sciences, Human Geography & Environment and 23 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
    O
    Open University337 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses