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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 Birmingham

Birmingham · QS World #68

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.

1/4

Birmingham City

scored higher in 1 category

VS

3/4

Birmingham

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Birmingham leads in 3 of 4 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, courses). Birmingham City University is ahead on scholarship.

Birmingham City University vs University of Birmingham at a glance

Birmingham City University and University of Birmingham both teach 50 subject areas, the largest being Childhood & Youth Studies, Law and Politics & International Relations. Birmingham City University offers 284 courses across 68 subject areas; University of Birmingham offers 663 courses across 101 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,570 a year at Birmingham City University and £27,090 at University of Birmingham: Birmingham City University is about £8,520 a year cheaper.

Of the 28 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Birmingham is higher in 22 and Birmingham City University in 4, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning: £23,000 three years after graduating from Birmingham City University, against £40,000 from University of Birmingham. Of the 29 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Birmingham City University is higher in 16 and University of Birmingham in 11, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#1001
QS World
#68
—
THE World
#98
—
Guardian UK
#18
N/A
Established
1900
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

University of Birmingham

No data
86.7%

Satisfaction

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

No data
£38,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

No data
83.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

No data
31.2%

International

International student share

284
663

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

    Birmingham

    104 countries · 31.2% international

    • 🇨🇳China55.7%
    • 🇮🇳India9.4%
    • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.2%
    • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.8%
    • 🇲🇾Malaysia2%

    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

    University of Birmingham

    Also taught at both: Media & Film Studies, Music, Education Studies, Biomedical Sciences, Mathematics, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Psychology (General), Accounting, Economics, Film Production & Cinematography, Social Work, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Drama & Theatre, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, English Language, Software Engineering, Biochemistry, Clinical Specialities, Creative Writing, English Studies, Information Systems & Data Science, Management, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Applied Psychology, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Adult Nursing, Mental Health Nursing, English Literature, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Human Resource Management, Midwifery, Children's Nursing, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Developmental & Educational Psychology.

    Only at Birmingham City University

    Only at University of Birmingham

    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 Birmingham
    £27,090

    Birmingham City University is about £8,520 a year cheaper.

    Postgraduate

    Birmingham City University
    No data
    University of Birmingham
    £23,390

    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 Birmingham

    • Law

      £20,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
      80%Satisfaction83%

    • Marketing

      £23,500Salary (3 years)£35,000
      92%Satisfaction79%

    • Business & Management (General)

      £23,000Salary (3 years)£35,000
      83%Satisfaction79%

    • Civil Engineering

      £23,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
      92%Satisfaction78%

    • Sport & Exercise Sciences

      No dataSalary (3 years)£25,000
      90%Satisfaction88%

    • Computer Science

      £23,500Salary (3 years)£40,000
      78%Satisfaction93%

    • Health Sciences & Paramedic Science

      £28,000Salary (3 years)£31,500
      82%SatisfactionNo data

    • Sociology & Criminology

      £22,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
      89%Satisfaction83%

    • Business Studies

      £22,500Salary (3 years)£35,000
      85%Satisfaction77%

    • Finance & Actuarial Science

      £23,000Salary (3 years)£35,000
      80%Satisfaction80%

    • Media & Film Studies

      £21,500Salary (3 years)No data
      87%Satisfaction95%

    • Music

      £19,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
      95%Satisfaction89%

    Showing the 12 largest of 30 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 Birmingham

    Enhanced Chamberlain Award

    £3,500

    Deadline: N/A

    University Music Scholarships

    £3,000

    Deadline: Jun 2026

    University Music Scholarships

    £1,000

    Deadline: Jun 2026

    View all scholarships →

    FAQ

    Birmingham City University vs University of Birmingham: common questions

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

    For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,570 a year at Birmingham City University and £27,090 at University of Birmingham: Birmingham City University is about £8,520 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 Birmingham?

    Both universities teach 50 subject areas: Childhood & Youth Studies, Law, Politics & International Relations, Marketing, Health & Social Care, Business & Management (General), Civil Engineering, Nursing (General), Sport & Exercise Sciences, Teacher Training, Computer Science, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science and 38 more.

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

    Law graduates earn a median £20,000 three years after graduating from Birmingham City University, and £27,500 from University of Birmingham. Student satisfaction with teaching is 80% at Birmingham City University and 83% at University of Birmingham. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

    University of Birmingham lists 663 courses on CourseOptions and Birmingham City University lists 284 courses.

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

    Birmingham City University teaches 18 subject areas that University of Birmingham does not, including Design & Fashion, Building & Construction, Games Design & Computer Animation, Architecture, Fine Art, Journalism, Community & Specialist Nursing, Crafts & Applied Arts and 10 more.

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

    University of Birmingham teaches 51 subject areas that Birmingham City University does not, including History, Philosophy, Geology & Earth Sciences, International Development, Physics, Ancient Languages, Chemistry, History of Art & Design and 43 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 Birmingham663 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses