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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

S
SOAS University of London

London · QS World #458

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 3 datapoints

We looked at 3 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

0/3

Birmingham City

scored higher in 0 categories

VS

3/3

SOAS University of London

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

SOAS University of London leads in 3 of 3 categories where both have data (ranking, courses, scholarship). Birmingham City University does not lead in any category where both have data.

Birmingham City University vs SOAS University of London at a glance

Birmingham City University and SOAS University of London both teach 12 subject areas, the largest being Media & Film Studies, Politics & International Relations and Law. Birmingham City University offers 284 courses across 68 subject areas; SOAS University of London offers 296 courses across 29 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,570 a year at Birmingham City University and £23,780 at SOAS University of London: Birmingham City University is about £5,210 a year cheaper.

Of the 4 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, SOAS University of London is higher in 4 and Birmingham City University in 0. The widest gap is in Economics: £24,000 three years after graduating from Birmingham City University, against £35,000 from SOAS University of London. Of the 5 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Birmingham City University is higher in 3 and SOAS University of London in 2.

World & National Rankings

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

#1001
QS World
#458
—
THE World
#401
—
Guardian UK
#86
N/A
Established
1916
No
Russell Group
No
—
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

SOAS University of London

No data
84.1%

Satisfaction

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

No data
£32,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

No data
74.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

No data
25.7%

International

International student share

284
296

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

10
27

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

    SOAS University of London

    67 countries · 25.7% international

    • 🇨🇳China10.9%
    • 🇮🇳India10.6%
    • 🇺🇸United States9.4%
    • 🇵🇰Pakistan7.6%
    • 🇫🇷France3.6%

    Subjects

    12 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

    SOAS University of London

    Only at Birmingham City University

    Only at SOAS University of London

    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
    SOAS University of London
    £23,780

    Birmingham City University is about £5,210 a year cheaper.

    Postgraduate

    Birmingham City University
    No data
    SOAS University of London
    £25,320

    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

    SOAS University of London

    • Law

      £20,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
      80%Satisfaction77%

    • Business & Management (General)

      £23,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
      83%Satisfaction82%

    • Music

      £19,500Salary (3 years)No data
      95%Satisfaction87%

    • Economics

      £24,000Salary (3 years)£35,000
      77%Satisfaction83%

    • Accounting

      £23,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
      74%Satisfaction88%

    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 →

    SOAS University of London

    SOAS International Academic Excellence Scholarship

    £20,000

    Deadline: May 2026

    SOAS Sustainable Development Goal Scholarship

    £15,000

    Deadline: Jun 2026

    Commonwealth Shared Scholarships

    100%

    Deadline: N/A

    Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Programme

    100%

    Deadline: N/A

    SOAS Academic Excellence Scholarship

    £10,000

    Deadline: May 2026

    View all scholarships →

    FAQ

    Birmingham City University vs SOAS University of London: common questions

    Is Birmingham City University or SOAS University of London cheaper for international students?

    For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,570 a year at Birmingham City University and £23,780 at SOAS University of London: Birmingham City University is about £5,210 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 SOAS University of London?

    Both universities teach 12 subject areas: Media & Film Studies, Politics & International Relations, Law, Business & Management (General), Music, Economics, Sociology & Criminology, Accounting, Civil Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Electronic & Electrical Engineering and Management.

    Is Birmingham City University or SOAS University of London better for Law?

    Law graduates earn a median £20,000 three years after graduating from Birmingham City University, and £28,000 from SOAS University of London. Student satisfaction with teaching is 80% at Birmingham City University and 77% at SOAS University of London. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

    Does Birmingham City University or SOAS University of London offer more courses?

    SOAS University of London lists 296 courses on CourseOptions and Birmingham City University lists 284 courses.

    What can you study at Birmingham City University but not at SOAS University of London?

    Birmingham City University teaches 56 subject areas that SOAS University of London does not, including Childhood & Youth Studies, Design & Fashion, Nursing (General), Computer Science, Marketing, Building & Construction, Film Production & Cinematography, Games Design & Computer Animation and 48 more.

    What can you study at SOAS University of London but not at Birmingham City University?

    SOAS University of London teaches 17 subject areas that Birmingham City University does not, including Asian Languages & Studies, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Ancient Languages, Anthropology, Creative Arts (General), History of Art & Design, History, International Development and 9 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
    S
    SOAS University of London296 courses · 27 scholarshipsBrowse Courses