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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

T
The University of Edinburgh

Edinburgh · QS World #35

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.

0/4

Birmingham City

scored higher in 0 categories

VS

4/4

Edinburgh

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

The University of Edinburgh leads in 4 of 4 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, courses, scholarship). Birmingham City University does not lead in any category where both have data.

Birmingham City University vs The University of Edinburgh at a glance

Birmingham City University and The University of Edinburgh both teach 54 subject areas, the largest being Law, Computer Science and Design & Fashion. Birmingham City University offers 284 courses across 68 subject areas; The University of Edinburgh offers 936 courses across 116 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,570 a year at Birmingham City University and £29,600 at The University of Edinburgh: Birmingham City University is about £11,030 a year cheaper.

Of the 26 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, The University of Edinburgh is higher in 23 and Birmingham City University in 1, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Economics: £24,000 three years after graduating from Birmingham City University, against £38,000 from The University of Edinburgh. Of the 27 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Birmingham City University is higher in 18 and The University of Edinburgh in 8, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#1001
QS World
#35
—
THE World
#29
—
Guardian UK
#17
N/A
Established
1583
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

The University of Edinburgh

No data
85.3%

Satisfaction

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

No data
£37,600

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

No data
83%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

No data
41.6%

International

International student share

284
936

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

10
112

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

    Edinburgh

    122 countries · 41.6% international

    • 🇨🇳China44.5%
    • 🇺🇸United States9.3%
    • 🇮🇳India5.4%
    • 🇲🇾Malaysia2.7%
    • 🇨🇦Canada2.4%

    Subjects

    54 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

    The University of Edinburgh

    Also taught at both: Sport & Exercise Sciences, English Literature, Marketing, Building & Construction, Economics, Film Production & Cinematography, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Music, Politics & International Relations, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biomedical Sciences, Business & Management (General), Clinical Specialities, Finance & Actuarial Science, Social Work, Accounting, Health & Social Care, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Information Systems & Data Science, Landscape Architecture & Design, Software Engineering, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Applied Biology & Human Biology, Applied Psychology, Biochemistry, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Creative Writing, Management, Mechanical Engineering, Community & Specialist Nursing, Crafts & Applied Arts, English Language, Technology & Logistics, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Drama & Theatre, Mental Health Nursing, Minerals & Mining Technology, Adult Nursing, Manufacturing & Production Engineering.

    Only at Birmingham City University

    Only at The University of Edinburgh

    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
    The University of Edinburgh
    £29,600

    Birmingham City University is about £11,030 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

    The University of Edinburgh

    • Law

      £20,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
      80%Satisfaction86%

    • Computer Science

      £23,500Salary (3 years)£37,000
      78%Satisfaction74%

    • Design & Fashion

      £20,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
      92%Satisfaction90%

    • Business Studies

      £22,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
      85%Satisfaction80%

    • Teacher Training

      £26,500Salary (3 years)£31,500
      84%Satisfaction92%

    • Sociology & Criminology

      £22,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
      89%Satisfaction82%

    • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

      £23,500Salary (3 years)£34,000
      81%Satisfaction81%

    • Civil Engineering

      £23,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
      92%Satisfaction87%

    • Psychology (General)

      £19,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
      79%Satisfaction83%

    • Architecture

      £23,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
      95%Satisfaction93%

    • Sport & Exercise Sciences

      No dataSalary (3 years)£27,500
      90%Satisfaction92%

    • English Literature

      £21,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
      100%Satisfaction87%

    Showing the 12 largest of 28 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 →

    The University of Edinburgh

    Asylum Seeker Scholarship

    £21,000

    Deadline: N/A

    Education Beyond Borders postgraduate scholarship

    £20,780

    Deadline: N/A

    Cameron Law Scholarship

    £10,000

    Deadline: N/A

    Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Online Learning Scholarships

    100%

    Deadline: N/A

    Rosedale OSSD University of Edinburgh Scholarship

    £10,000

    Deadline: N/A

    View all scholarships →

    FAQ

    Birmingham City University vs The University of Edinburgh: common questions

    Is Birmingham City University or The University of Edinburgh cheaper for international students?

    For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,570 a year at Birmingham City University and £29,600 at The University of Edinburgh: Birmingham City University is about £11,030 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 The University of Edinburgh?

    Both universities teach 54 subject areas: Law, Computer Science, Design & Fashion, Childhood & Youth Studies, Business Studies, Teacher Training, Mathematics, Sociology & Criminology, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Nursing (General), Civil Engineering, Media & Film Studies and 42 more.

    Is Birmingham City University or The University of Edinburgh better for Law?

    Law graduates earn a median £20,000 three years after graduating from Birmingham City University, and £26,500 from The University of Edinburgh. Student satisfaction with teaching is 80% at Birmingham City University and 86% at The University of Edinburgh. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

    Does Birmingham City University or The University of Edinburgh offer more courses?

    The University of Edinburgh lists 936 courses on CourseOptions and Birmingham City University lists 284 courses.

    What can you study at Birmingham City University but not at The University of Edinburgh?

    Birmingham City University teaches 14 subject areas that The University of Edinburgh does not, including Games Design & Computer Animation, Fine Art, Journalism, Business Information Systems, English Studies, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Human Resource Management, Midwifery and 6 more.

    What can you study at The University of Edinburgh but not at Birmingham City University?

    The University of Edinburgh teaches 62 subject areas that Birmingham City University does not, including Theology & Religious Studies, German & Scandinavian Studies, Medicine, History, Physics, French, Philosophy, African & Middle Eastern Studies and 54 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
    T
    The University of Edinburgh936 courses · 112 scholarshipsBrowse Courses