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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
Ulster University

Belfast · QS World #595

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.

2/3

Birmingham City

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

1/3

Ulster

scored higher in 1 category

Quick Verdict

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

Birmingham City University vs Ulster University at a glance

Birmingham City University and Ulster University both teach 42 subject areas, the largest being Design & Fashion, Computer Science and Law. Birmingham City University offers 284 courses across 68 subject areas; Ulster University offers 170 courses across 66 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,570 a year at Birmingham City University and £17,490 at Ulster University: Ulster University is about £1,080 a year cheaper.

Of the 33 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Birmingham City University is higher in 19 and Ulster University in 14.

World & National Rankings

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

#1001
QS World
#595
—
THE World
#601
—
Guardian UK
#60
N/A
Established
1968
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

Ulster University

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
84.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

No data
32.5%

International

International student share

284
170

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

10
0

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

    Ulster

    45 countries · 32.5% international

    • 🇵🇰Pakistan27.8%
    • 🇮🇪Ireland21.4%
    • 🇳🇬Nigeria16.1%
    • 🇮🇳India12.6%
    • 🇧🇩Bangladesh8.6%

    Subjects

    42 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

    Ulster University

    Also taught at both: Social Work, Software Engineering, Architecture, Biomedical Sciences, Finance & Actuarial Science, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Music, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Fine Art, Mechanical Engineering, English Studies, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Information Systems & Data Science, Psychology (General), Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Drama & Theatre, Nutrition & Dietetics, Economics, Human Resource Management, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Medical Imaging, Politics & International Relations, Counselling & Psychotherapy, English Literature, Learning Disabilities Nursing, Management, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation.

    Only at Birmingham City University

    Only at Ulster 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
    Ulster University
    £17,490

    Ulster University is about £1,080 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

    Ulster University

    • Design & Fashion

      £20,000Salary (3 years)No data
      92%Satisfaction88%

    • Computer Science

      £23,500Salary (3 years)No data
      78%Satisfaction79%

    • Law

      £20,000Salary (3 years)No data
      80%Satisfaction87%

    • Marketing

      £23,500Salary (3 years)No data
      92%Satisfaction85%

    • Business Studies

      £22,500Salary (3 years)No data
      85%Satisfaction83%

    • Accounting

      £23,500Salary (3 years)No data
      74%Satisfaction95%

    • Sociology & Criminology

      £22,000Salary (3 years)No data
      89%Satisfaction84%

    • Building & Construction

      £29,500Salary (3 years)No data
      84%Satisfaction85%

    • Sport & Exercise Sciences

      No dataSalary (3 years)No data
      90%Satisfaction82%

    • Civil Engineering

      £23,500Salary (3 years)No data
      92%Satisfaction100%

    • Film Production & Cinematography

      £18,500Salary (3 years)No data
      86%Satisfaction80%

    • Media & Film Studies

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

    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 →

    Ulster University

    View all scholarships →

    FAQ

    Birmingham City University vs Ulster University: common questions

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

    For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,570 a year at Birmingham City University and £17,490 at Ulster University: Ulster University is about £1,080 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 Ulster University?

    Both universities teach 42 subject areas: Design & Fashion, Computer Science, Law, Marketing, Business Studies, Accounting, Sociology & Criminology, Building & Construction, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Civil Engineering, Film Production & Cinematography, Media & Film Studies and 30 more.

    Does Birmingham City University or Ulster University offer more courses?

    Birmingham City University lists 284 courses on CourseOptions and Ulster University lists 170 courses.

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

    Birmingham City University teaches 26 subject areas that Ulster University does not, including Childhood & Youth Studies, Nursing (General), Business & Management (General), Community & Specialist Nursing, Crafts & Applied Arts, Education Studies, Teacher Training, Technology & Logistics and 18 more.

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

    Ulster University teaches 24 subject areas that Birmingham City University does not, including Irish Studies, General Engineering, History, Social Policy & Public Policy, Anatomy & Pathology, Biomedical Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Linguistics and 16 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
    U
    Ulster University170 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses