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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
Swansea University

Swansea · QS World #322

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.

1/3

Birmingham City

scored higher in 1 category

VS

2/3

Swansea

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

Swansea University leads in 2 of 3 categories where both have data (ranking, courses). Birmingham City University is ahead on scholarship.

Birmingham City University vs Swansea University at a glance

Birmingham City University and Swansea University both teach 51 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Law and Childhood & Youth Studies. Birmingham City University offers 284 courses across 68 subject areas; Swansea University offers 916 courses across 97 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,570 a year at Birmingham City University and £21,550 at Swansea University: Birmingham City University is about £2,980 a year cheaper.

Of the 29 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Swansea University is higher in 17 and Birmingham City University in 9, with 3 about level. The widest gap is in Software Engineering: £23,000 three years after graduating from Birmingham City University, against £31,500 from Swansea University. Of the 30 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Birmingham City University is higher in 16 and Swansea University in 13, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#1001
QS World
#322
—
THE World
#301
—
Guardian UK
#32
N/A
Established
1920
No
Russell Group
No
—
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

Swansea University

No data
86.1%

Satisfaction

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

No data
£31,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

No data
78.5%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

No data
14.1%

International

International student share

284
916

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

10
5

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

    Swansea

    73 countries · 14.1% international

    • 🇮🇳India25.4%
    • 🇨🇳China12.7%
    • 🇳🇬Nigeria8.2%
    • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia4.5%
    • 🇭🇰Hong Kong3.9%

    Subjects

    51 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

    Swansea University

    Also taught at both: Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Education Studies, Design & Fashion, Psychology (General), Health & Social Care, Nursing (General), Accounting, Marketing, Biochemistry, English Literature, Mechanical Engineering, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Building & Construction, Journalism, English Studies, Software Engineering, English Language, Social Work, Community & Specialist Nursing, Creative Writing, Human Resource Management, Midwifery, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Mental Health Nursing, Adult Nursing, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Clinical Specialities, Information Systems & Data Science, Applied Psychology, Landscape Architecture & Design, Children's Nursing, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Learning Disabilities Nursing, Management, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Public Relations.

    Only at Birmingham City University

    Only at Swansea 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
    Swansea University
    £21,550

    Birmingham City University is about £2,980 a year cheaper.

    Postgraduate

    Birmingham City University
    No data
    Swansea University
    £22,950

    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

    Swansea University

    • Computer Science

      £23,500Salary (3 years)£31,500
      78%Satisfaction84%

    • Law

      £20,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
      80%Satisfaction82%

    • Childhood & Youth Studies

      £18,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
      84%Satisfaction75%

    • Business & Management (General)

      £23,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
      83%SatisfactionNo data

    • Sociology & Criminology

      £22,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
      89%Satisfaction87%

    • Finance & Actuarial Science

      £23,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
      80%Satisfaction90%

    • Health Sciences & Paramedic Science

      £28,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
      82%Satisfaction97%

    • Economics

      £24,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
      77%Satisfaction90%

    • Business Studies

      £22,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
      85%Satisfaction82%

    • Teacher Training

      £26,500Salary (3 years)No data
      84%Satisfaction89%

    • Civil Engineering

      £23,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
      92%Satisfaction79%

    • Media & Film Studies

      £21,500Salary (3 years)£20,000
      87%Satisfaction84%

    Showing the 12 largest of 33 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 →

    Swansea University

    History and Heritage Studies: AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership Studentship (Fully Funded) in History with Museum Wales (RS950)

    100%

    Deadline: N/A

    History: AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership Studentship (Fully Funded) in History with The National Archives (RS948)

    100%

    Deadline: N/A

    History: AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership Studentship in History with Museum Wales (RS949)

    See details

    Deadline: N/A

    PhD Studentship in Sustainable Fusion Steels: Whole Lifecycle Design of Tokamak Vacuum Vessel Steels (RS964)

    See details

    Deadline: N/A

    Swansea University International Postgraduate Research Excellence Scholarships 2025/26

    See details

    Deadline: N/A

    View all scholarships →

    FAQ

    Birmingham City University vs Swansea University: common questions

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

    For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,570 a year at Birmingham City University and £21,550 at Swansea University: Birmingham City University is about £2,980 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 Swansea University?

    Both universities teach 51 subject areas: Computer Science, Law, Childhood & Youth Studies, Business & Management (General), Politics & International Relations, Sociology & Criminology, Finance & Actuarial Science, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Economics, Business Studies, Mathematics, Teacher Training and 39 more.

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

    Computer Science graduates earn a median £23,500 three years after graduating from Birmingham City University, and £31,500 from Swansea University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 78% at Birmingham City University and 84% at Swansea University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

    Does Birmingham City University or Swansea University offer more courses?

    Swansea University lists 916 courses on CourseOptions and Birmingham City University lists 284 courses.

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

    Birmingham City University teaches 17 subject areas that Swansea University does not, including Film Production & Cinematography, Games Design & Computer Animation, Architecture, Fine Art, Crafts & Applied Arts, Music, Technology & Logistics, Applied Biology & Human Biology and 9 more.

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

    Swansea University teaches 46 subject areas that Birmingham City University does not, including History, Physics, Genetics & Genomics, American & Comparative Studies, Chemical Engineering, General Engineering, Medical Sciences, Classical Studies and 38 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
    Swansea University916 courses · 5 scholarshipsBrowse Courses