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
Birmingham
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 College Birmingham
scored higher in 0 categories
Quick Verdict
Birmingham City University leads in 2 of 2 categories where both have data (courses, scholarship). University College Birmingham does not lead in any category where both have data.
Birmingham City University vs University College Birmingham at a glance
Birmingham City University and University College Birmingham both teach 29 subject areas, the largest being Childhood & Youth Studies, Design & Fashion and Hospitality, Events & Tourism. Birmingham City University offers 284 courses across 68 subject areas; University College Birmingham offers 115 courses across 36 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,570 a year at Birmingham City University and £13,500 at University College Birmingham: University College Birmingham is about £5,070 a year cheaper.
Of the 9 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Birmingham City University is higher in 8 and University College Birmingham in 1. The widest gap is in Marketing: £23,500 three years after graduating from Birmingham City University, against £20,000 from University College Birmingham. Of the 16 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University College Birmingham is higher in 11 and Birmingham City University in 3, with 2 about level.
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 College Birmingham
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 College Birmingham
26 countries · 47% international
- 🌐Nepal48.9%
- 🇮🇳India24.7%
- 🇨🇳China11.5%
- 🇧🇩Bangladesh3.8%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan3.3%
Subjects
29 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 College Birmingham
Childhood & Youth Studies
28 coursesTypical fee £18,570 (UG)
4 coursesTypical fee £13,500 (UG)
Design & Fashion
17 coursesTypical fee £18,570 (UG)
2 coursesFee not available
Hospitality, Events & Tourism
2 coursesTypical fee £18,570 (UG)
15 coursesTypical fee £13,500 (UG)
Building & Construction
Marketing
11 coursesTypical fee £18,570 (UG)
3 coursesTypical fee £16,000 (UG)
Sport & Exercise Sciences
Computer Science
11 coursesTypical fee £18,570 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £13,500 (UG)
Business Studies
Finance & Actuarial Science
Health & Social Care
Sociology & Criminology
Business & Management (General)
Civil Engineering
Software Engineering
Psychology (General)
Also taught at both: Architecture, Crafts & Applied Arts, Education Studies, Applied Psychology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Mechanical Engineering, Adult Nursing, Business Information Systems, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Mental Health Nursing, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Nutrition & Dietetics, Politics & International Relations.
Only at Birmingham City 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
- University College Birmingham
- £13,500
University College Birmingham is about £5,070 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Birmingham City University
- No data
- University College Birmingham
- £17,000
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
University College Birmingham
Childhood & Youth Studies
£18,500Salary (3 years)£20,50084%Satisfaction98%Design & Fashion
£20,000Salary (3 years)£18,50092%SatisfactionNo dataHospitality, Events & Tourism
£23,000Salary (3 years)£20,00091%Satisfaction93%Building & Construction
£29,500Salary (3 years)No data84%Satisfaction91%Marketing
£23,500Salary (3 years)£20,00092%Satisfaction85%Sport & Exercise Sciences
No dataSalary (3 years)£20,50090%Satisfaction96%Computer Science
£23,500Salary (3 years)No data78%Satisfaction87%Business Studies
£22,500Salary (3 years)£21,00085%Satisfaction86%Finance & Actuarial Science
£23,000Salary (3 years)£20,00080%Satisfaction89%Business & Management (General)
£23,000Salary (3 years)£20,00083%Satisfaction93%Software Engineering
£23,000Salary (3 years)No data86%Satisfaction89%Architecture
£23,000Salary (3 years)No data95%Satisfaction91%
Showing the 12 largest of 17 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 College Birmingham
GREAT Scholarship
£10,000
Deadline: N/A
Vice-Chancellor's Award
100%
Deadline: N/A
Dean's Award
50%
Deadline: N/A
Early Action Scholarship
£4,500
Deadline: Jul 2026
Alumni Scholarship
25%
Deadline: N/A
FAQ
Birmingham City University vs University College Birmingham: common questions
Is Birmingham City University or University College Birmingham cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,570 a year at Birmingham City University and £13,500 at University College Birmingham: University College Birmingham is about £5,070 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 College Birmingham?
Both universities teach 29 subject areas: Childhood & Youth Studies, Design & Fashion, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Building & Construction, Marketing, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Computer Science, Business Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Health & Social Care, Sociology & Criminology, Business & Management (General) and 17 more.
Is Birmingham City University or University College Birmingham better for Childhood & Youth Studies?
Childhood & Youth Studies graduates earn a median £18,500 three years after graduating from Birmingham City University, and £20,500 from University College Birmingham. Student satisfaction with teaching is 84% at Birmingham City University and 98% at University College Birmingham. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Birmingham City University or University College Birmingham offer more courses?
Birmingham City University lists 284 courses on CourseOptions and University College Birmingham lists 115 courses.
What can you study at Birmingham City University but not at University College Birmingham?
Birmingham City University teaches 39 subject areas that University College Birmingham does not, including Nursing (General), Film Production & Cinematography, Games Design & Computer Animation, Law, Media & Film Studies, Accounting, Fine Art, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science and 31 more.
What can you study at University College Birmingham but not at Birmingham City University?
University College Birmingham teaches 7 subject areas that Birmingham City University does not, including Food Science, Food Production & Technology, Planning & Housing, Clinical & Health Psychology, Complementary & Alternative Medicine, Creative Arts (General) and Public Health & Epidemiology.
Ready to explore courses?
Browse available courses, check entry requirements, and find scholarships at each university.