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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
University of Aberdeen

Aberdeen · QS World #288

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.

1/3

Birmingham City

scored higher in 1 category

VS

2/3

Aberdeen

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

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

Birmingham City University vs University of Aberdeen at a glance

Birmingham City University and University of Aberdeen both teach 37 subject areas, the largest being Law, English Studies and Management. Birmingham City University offers 284 courses across 68 subject areas; University of Aberdeen offers 597 courses across 80 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,570 a year at Birmingham City University and £20,800 at University of Aberdeen: Birmingham City University is about £2,230 a year cheaper.

Of the 16 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Aberdeen is higher in 15 and Birmingham City University in 1. The widest gap is in Education Studies: £20,000 three years after graduating from Birmingham City University, against £31,000 from University of Aberdeen. Of the 19 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Aberdeen is higher in 13 and Birmingham City University in 5, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#1001
QS World
#288
—
THE World
#201
—
Guardian UK
#22
N/A
Established
1495
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

University of Aberdeen

No data
89.2%

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
78.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

No data
18.8%

International

International student share

284
597

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

10
3

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

    Aberdeen

    81 countries · 18.8% international

    • 🇨🇳China20.2%
    • 🇮🇳India14.1%
    • 🇺🇸United States8.8%
    • 🇳🇬Nigeria7.3%
    • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.1%

    Subjects

    37 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 of Aberdeen

    Also taught at both: Marketing, Health & Social Care, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Building & Construction, Media & Film Studies, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Music, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Information Systems & Data Science, Applied Biology & Human Biology, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Biochemistry, Creative Writing, Human Resource Management, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Nutrition & Dietetics, Public Relations.

    Only at Birmingham City University

    Only at University of Aberdeen

    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 of Aberdeen
    £20,800

    Birmingham City University is about £2,230 a year cheaper.

    Postgraduate

    Birmingham City University
    No data
    University of Aberdeen
    £23,000

    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 of Aberdeen

    • Law

      £20,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
      80%Satisfaction92%

    • English Studies

      £21,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
      95%Satisfaction98%

    • Economics

      £24,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
      77%Satisfaction90%

    • Business Studies

      £22,500Salary (3 years)£28,500
      85%Satisfaction100%

    • Computer Science

      £23,500Salary (3 years)No data
      78%Satisfaction77%

    • Finance & Actuarial Science

      £23,000Salary (3 years)£31,500
      80%Satisfaction84%

    • Film Production & Cinematography

      £18,500Salary (3 years)£20,500
      86%Satisfaction91%

    • Psychology (General)

      £19,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
      79%Satisfaction88%

    • Education Studies

      £20,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
      88%Satisfaction95%

    • Civil Engineering

      £23,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
      92%Satisfaction92%

    • Teacher Training

      £26,500Salary (3 years)£31,500
      84%Satisfaction95%

    • Accounting

      £23,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
      74%Satisfaction86%

    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 →

    University of Aberdeen

    Aberdeen Global Scholarship - Postgraduate

    £8,000

    Deadline: N/A

    Aberdeen Global Scholarship - Postgraduate

    £8,000

    Deadline: N/A

    Aberdeen Global Scholarship - Undergraduate and PGDE

    £6,000

    Deadline: N/A

    View all scholarships →

    FAQ

    Birmingham City University vs University of Aberdeen: common questions

    Is Birmingham City University or University of Aberdeen cheaper for international students?

    For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,570 a year at Birmingham City University and £20,800 at University of Aberdeen: Birmingham City University is about £2,230 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 University of Aberdeen?

    Both universities teach 37 subject areas: Law, English Studies, Management, Economics, Business Studies, Computer Science, Finance & Actuarial Science, Film Production & Cinematography, Politics & International Relations, Psychology (General), Education Studies, Civil Engineering and 25 more.

    Is Birmingham City University or University of Aberdeen better for Law?

    Law graduates earn a median £20,000 three years after graduating from Birmingham City University, and £26,500 from University of Aberdeen. Student satisfaction with teaching is 80% at Birmingham City University and 92% at University of Aberdeen. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

    Does Birmingham City University or University of Aberdeen offer more courses?

    University of Aberdeen lists 597 courses on CourseOptions and Birmingham City University lists 284 courses.

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

    Birmingham City University teaches 31 subject areas that University of Aberdeen does not, including Childhood & Youth Studies, Design & Fashion, Nursing (General), Games Design & Computer Animation, Business & Management (General), Software Engineering, Architecture, Fine Art and 23 more.

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

    University of Aberdeen teaches 43 subject areas that Birmingham City University does not, including French, Anthropology, German & Scandinavian Studies, Chemical Engineering, Celtic Studies, History, Ancient Languages, Physics and 35 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
    University of Aberdeen597 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses