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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

U
UCL (University College London)

Camden · QS World #8

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

UCL (University College London)

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

UCL (University College London) 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 UCL (University College London) at a glance

Birmingham City University and UCL (University College London) both teach 50 subject areas, the largest being Childhood & Youth Studies, Computer Science and Psychology (General). Birmingham City University offers 284 courses across 68 subject areas; UCL (University College London) offers 1,131 courses across 109 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,570 a year at Birmingham City University and £29,800 at UCL (University College London): Birmingham City University is about £11,230 a year cheaper.

Of the 17 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, UCL (University College London) is higher in 17 and Birmingham City University in 0. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £23,500 three years after graduating from Birmingham City University, against £51,000 from UCL (University College London). Of the 18 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, UCL (University College London) is higher in 8 and Birmingham City University in 7, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#1001
QS World
#8
—
THE World
#22
—
Guardian UK
#9
N/A
Established
1826
No
Russell Group
Yes
—
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

UCL (University College London)

No data
86.5%

Satisfaction

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

No data
£46,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

No data
80.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

No data
51.9%

International

International student share

284
1131

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

10
18

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

    UCL (University College London)

    127 countries · 51.9% international

    • 🇨🇳China53.3%
    • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.9%
    • 🇺🇸United States4.2%
    • 🇮🇳India3.4%
    • 🇸🇬Singapore2.4%

    Subjects

    50 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

    UCL (University College London)

    Also taught at both: Management, Law, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Health & Social Care, Clinical Specialities, Media & Film Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Marketing, Mechanical Engineering, Software Engineering, Education Studies, Film Production & Cinematography, Fine Art, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Games Design & Computer Animation, Biochemistry, Business Studies, Accounting, Community & Specialist Nursing, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Mental Health Nursing, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Sport & Exercise Sciences, English Studies, Applied Biology & Human Biology, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Information Systems & Data Science, Landscape Architecture & Design, Music, Nutrition & Dietetics, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Creative Writing, English Language, English Literature, Public Relations.

    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
    UCL (University College London)
    £29,800

    Birmingham City University is about £11,230 a year cheaper.

    Postgraduate

    Birmingham City University
    No data
    UCL (University College London)
    £34,700

    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

    UCL (University College London)

    • Childhood & Youth Studies

      £18,500Salary (3 years)£41,500
      84%Satisfaction84%
    • Computer Science

      £23,500Salary (3 years)£51,000
      78%Satisfaction80%
    • Psychology (General)

      £19,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
      79%Satisfaction90%
    • Biomedical Sciences

      £31,500Salary (3 years)£34,500
      86%Satisfaction79%
    • Sociology & Criminology

      £22,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
      89%Satisfaction87%
    • Business & Management (General)

      £23,000Salary (3 years)£38,000
      83%Satisfaction93%
    • Civil Engineering

      £23,500Salary (3 years)£35,000
      92%Satisfaction73%
    • Economics

      £24,000Salary (3 years)£45,000
      77%Satisfaction79%
    • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

      £23,500Salary (3 years)£40,000
      81%Satisfaction90%
    • Building & Construction

      £29,500Salary (3 years)£37,000
      84%Satisfaction90%
    • Architecture

      £23,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
      95%Satisfaction95%
    • Law

      £20,000Salary (3 years)£41,000
      80%Satisfaction92%

    Showing the 12 largest of 19 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 →

    UCL (University College London)

    Commercial Bar Opportunity Scholarship

    £25,000

    Deadline: N/A

    AHRC Doctoral Landscape Award

    100%

    Deadline: N/A

    UCL Department of Arts and Sciences (UASc) Interdisciplinary Excellence PhD Scholarship

    100%

    Deadline: N/A

    Law Society Pro Bono Bursary

    £250

    Deadline: N/A

    Alonso Gurmendi Dunkelberg, UCL Graduate Research Scholarship

    See details

    Deadline: N/A

    View all scholarships →

    FAQ

    Birmingham City University vs UCL (University College London): common questions

    Is Birmingham City University or UCL (University College London) cheaper for international students?

    For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,570 a year at Birmingham City University and £29,800 at UCL (University College London): Birmingham City University is about £11,230 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 UCL (University College London)?

    Both universities teach 50 subject areas: Childhood & Youth Studies, Computer Science, Psychology (General), Biomedical Sciences, Design & Fashion, Sociology & Criminology, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Mathematics, Business & Management (General), Civil Engineering, Economics, Electronic & Electrical Engineering and 38 more.

    Is Birmingham City University or UCL (University College London) better for Childhood & Youth Studies?

    Childhood & Youth Studies graduates earn a median £18,500 three years after graduating from Birmingham City University, and £41,500 from UCL (University College London). Student satisfaction with teaching is 84% at Birmingham City University and 84% at UCL (University College London). Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

    Does Birmingham City University or UCL (University College London) offer more courses?

    UCL (University College London) lists 1,131 courses on CourseOptions and Birmingham City University lists 284 courses.

    What can you study at Birmingham City University but not at UCL (University College London)?

    Birmingham City University teaches 18 subject areas that UCL (University College London) does not, including Nursing (General), Journalism, Crafts & Applied Arts, Social Work, Teacher Training, Technology & Logistics, Applied Psychology, Business Information Systems and 10 more.

    What can you study at UCL (University College London) but not at Birmingham City University?

    UCL (University College London) teaches 59 subject areas that Birmingham City University does not, including German & Scandinavian Studies, Eastern European Languages, Ancient Languages, French, Geology & Earth Sciences, Planning & Housing, Italian, Physics and 51 more.

    Ready to explore courses?

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