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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

Q
Queen's University Belfast

Belfast · QS World #174

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

Queen's University Belfast

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

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

Birmingham City University vs Queen's University Belfast at a glance

Birmingham City University and Queen's University Belfast both teach 52 subject areas, the largest being Childhood & Youth Studies, Law and Civil Engineering. Birmingham City University offers 284 courses across 68 subject areas; Queen's University Belfast offers 494 courses across 93 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,570 a year at Birmingham City University and £20,800 at Queen's University Belfast: Birmingham City University is about £2,230 a year cheaper.

Of the 26 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Birmingham City University is higher in 13 and Queen's University Belfast in 13.

World & National Rankings

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

#1001
QS World
#174
—
THE World
#198
—
Guardian UK
#36
N/A
Established
1845
No
Russell Group
Yes
—
TEF Rating
—

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Birmingham City University

Queen's University Belfast

No data
86.4%

Satisfaction

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

No data
No data

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

No data
84.9%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

No data
21.9%

International

International student share

284
494

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

10
1

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

    Queen's University Belfast

    74 countries · 21.9% international

    • 🇮🇪Ireland30.3%
    • 🇮🇳India14.3%
    • 🇨🇳China11%
    • 🇺🇸United States7%
    • 🇲🇾Malaysia5%

    Subjects

    52 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

    Queen's University Belfast

    Also taught at both: Mechanical Engineering, Psychology (General), Business & Management (General), Marketing, Social Work, Accounting, Architecture, Games Design & Computer Animation, Economics, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Film Production & Cinematography, Business Studies, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Music, Education Studies, Health & Social Care, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences, Community & Specialist Nursing, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Business Information Systems, Drama & Theatre, Information Systems & Data Science, Landscape Architecture & Design, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Mental Health Nursing, Midwifery, Technology & Logistics, Adult Nursing, Applied Biology & Human Biology, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Children's Nursing, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Human Resource Management, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Learning Disabilities Nursing.

    Only at Birmingham City University

    Only at Queen's University Belfast

    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
    Queen's University Belfast
    £20,800

    Birmingham City University is about £2,230 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.

    Birmingham City University

    Queen's University Belfast

    • Law

      £20,000Salary (3 years)No data
      80%Satisfaction86%

    • Civil Engineering

      £23,500Salary (3 years)No data
      92%Satisfaction89%

    • English Studies

      £21,000Salary (3 years)No data
      95%Satisfaction91%

    • Computer Science

      £23,500Salary (3 years)No data
      78%Satisfaction72%

    • Media & Film Studies

      £21,500Salary (3 years)No data
      87%Satisfaction82%

    • Sociology & Criminology

      £22,000Salary (3 years)No data
      89%Satisfaction87%

    • Software Engineering

      £23,000Salary (3 years)No data
      86%Satisfaction66%

    • Finance & Actuarial Science

      £23,000Salary (3 years)No data
      80%Satisfaction87%

    • Mechanical Engineering

      £25,500Salary (3 years)No data
      86%Satisfaction82%

    • Psychology (General)

      £19,500Salary (3 years)No data
      79%Satisfaction86%

    • Social Work

      £31,500Salary (3 years)No data
      83%Satisfaction89%

    • Accounting

      £23,500Salary (3 years)No data
      74%Satisfaction81%

    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 →

    Queen's University Belfast

    Future-Ready Award

    See details

    Deadline: N/A

    View all scholarships →

    FAQ

    Birmingham City University vs Queen's University Belfast: common questions

    Is Birmingham City University or Queen's University Belfast cheaper for international students?

    For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,570 a year at Birmingham City University and £20,800 at Queen's University Belfast: Birmingham City University is about £2,230 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 Queen's University Belfast?

    Both universities teach 52 subject areas: Childhood & Youth Studies, Law, Civil Engineering, Mathematics, Design & Fashion, English Studies, Nursing (General), Politics & International Relations, Computer Science, Media & Film Studies, Sociology & Criminology, Software Engineering and 40 more.

    Does Birmingham City University or Queen's University Belfast offer more courses?

    Queen's University Belfast lists 494 courses on CourseOptions and Birmingham City University lists 284 courses.

    What can you study at Birmingham City University but not at Queen's University Belfast?

    Birmingham City University teaches 16 subject areas that Queen's University Belfast does not, including Sport & Exercise Sciences, Fine Art, Journalism, Crafts & Applied Arts, Teacher Training, Applied Psychology, Clinical Specialities, Creative Writing and 8 more.

    What can you study at Queen's University Belfast but not at Birmingham City University?

    Queen's University Belfast teaches 41 subject areas that Birmingham City University does not, including History, Chemistry, Anthropology, Physics, French, Irish Studies, Planning & Housing, Archaeology and 33 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
    Q
    Queen's University Belfast494 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses