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.
Birmingham · QS World #1001
Southend-on-Sea
Head-to-Head Summary
Based on 2 datapoints
We looked at 2 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.
2/2
Birmingham City
scored higher in 2 categories
0/2
University Centre South Essex
scored higher in 0 categories
Quick Verdict
Birmingham City University leads in 2 of 2 categories where both have data (courses, scholarship). University Centre South Essex does not lead in any category where both have data.
Birmingham City University vs University Centre South Essex at a glance
Birmingham City University and University Centre South Essex both teach 16 subject areas, the largest being Design & Fashion, Film Production & Cinematography and Games Design & Computer Animation. Birmingham City University offers 284 courses across 68 subject areas; University Centre South Essex offers 25 courses across 18 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,570 a year at Birmingham City University and £17,930 at University Centre South Essex: University Centre South Essex is about £640 a year cheaper.
Of the 10 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Birmingham City University is higher in 6 and University Centre South Essex in 1, with 3 about level. The widest gap is in Games Design & Computer Animation: £23,000 three years after graduating from Birmingham City University, against £17,500 from University Centre South Essex. Of the 10 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University Centre South Essex is higher in 8 and Birmingham City University in 2.
World & National Rankings
Compare world and national league table positions, TEF ratings, and Russell Group membership.
Visual Breakdown
Key metrics at a glance
Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.
Birmingham City University
University Centre South Essex
Satisfaction
Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)
Graduate Salaries (5y)
Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation
Employment
Graduate employment rate
International
International student share
Course Counts
Number of courses offered
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
University Centre South Essex
No published data on international students
Subjects
16 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
University Centre South Essex
Design & Fashion
17 coursesTypical fee £18,570 (UG)
3 coursesTypical fee £17,930 (UG)
Film Production & Cinematography
Games Design & Computer Animation
Media & Film Studies
Sociology & Criminology
Accounting
Business & Management (General)
Sport & Exercise Sciences
Crafts & Applied Arts
Fine Art
Psychology (General)
Drama & Theatre
Education Studies
Teacher Training
Manufacturing & Production Engineering
Also taught at both: Counselling & Psychotherapy.
Only at Birmingham City University
Only at University Centre South Essex
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
- University Centre South Essex
- £17,930
University Centre South Essex is about £640 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
University Centre South Essex
Design & Fashion
£20,000Salary (3 years)£18,50092%Satisfaction100%Film Production & Cinematography
£18,500Salary (3 years)£18,50086%Satisfaction99%Games Design & Computer Animation
£23,000Salary (3 years)£17,50094%Satisfaction89%Sociology & Criminology
£22,000Salary (3 years)£22,00089%Satisfaction94%Accounting
£23,500Salary (3 years)£19,00074%SatisfactionNo dataBusiness & Management (General)
£23,000Salary (3 years)£19,00083%SatisfactionNo dataSport & Exercise Sciences
No dataSalary (3 years)£24,50090%Satisfaction75%Crafts & Applied Arts
£19,500Salary (3 years)£18,50094%Satisfaction100%Fine Art
£17,000Salary (3 years)£18,50081%Satisfaction100%Psychology (General)
£19,500Salary (3 years)No data79%Satisfaction95%Drama & Theatre
£18,500Salary (3 years)£13,50099%Satisfaction100%Education Studies
£20,000Salary (3 years)£20,00088%SatisfactionNo data
Showing the 12 largest of 13 shared subjects with published outcomes.
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveBirmingham 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
University Centre South Essex
View all scholarships →FAQ
Birmingham City University vs University Centre South Essex: common questions
Is Birmingham City University or University Centre South Essex cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,570 a year at Birmingham City University and £17,930 at University Centre South Essex: University Centre South Essex is about £640 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 University Centre South Essex?
Both universities teach 16 subject areas: Design & Fashion, Film Production & Cinematography, Games Design & Computer Animation, Media & Film Studies, Sociology & Criminology, Accounting, Business & Management (General), Sport & Exercise Sciences, Crafts & Applied Arts, Fine Art, Psychology (General), Drama & Theatre and 4 more.
Is Birmingham City University or University Centre South Essex better for Design & Fashion?
Design & Fashion graduates earn a median £20,000 three years after graduating from Birmingham City University, and £18,500 from University Centre South Essex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 92% at Birmingham City University and 100% at University Centre South Essex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Birmingham City University or University Centre South Essex offer more courses?
Birmingham City University lists 284 courses on CourseOptions and University Centre South Essex lists 25 courses.
What can you study at Birmingham City University but not at University Centre South Essex?
Birmingham City University teaches 52 subject areas that University Centre South Essex does not, including Childhood & Youth Studies, Nursing (General), Computer Science, Marketing, Building & Construction, Law, Business Studies, Civil Engineering and 44 more.
What can you study at University Centre South Essex but not at Birmingham City University?
University Centre South Essex teaches 2 subject areas that Birmingham City University does not, including Computing & IT and Dance.
Ready to explore courses?
Browse available courses, check entry requirements, and find scholarships at each university.