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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 Cambridge

Cambridge · QS World #6

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

Cambridge

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Cambridge 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 Cambridge at a glance

Birmingham City University and University of Cambridge both teach 33 subject areas, the largest being Childhood & Youth Studies, Computer Science and Sociology & Criminology. Birmingham City University offers 284 courses across 68 subject areas; University of Cambridge offers 336 courses across 79 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,570 a year at Birmingham City University and £32,890 at University of Cambridge: Birmingham City University is about £14,320 a year cheaper.

Of the 7 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Cambridge is higher in 7 and Birmingham City University in 0. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £23,500 three years after graduating from Birmingham City University, against £63,500 from University of Cambridge. Of the 8 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Cambridge is higher in 7 and Birmingham City University in 1.

World & National Rankings

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

#1001
QS World
#6
—
THE World
#3
—
Guardian UK
#2
N/A
Established
1209
No
Russell Group
Yes
—
TEF Rating
Gold

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 Cambridge

No data
92.1%

Satisfaction

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

No data
£49,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

No data
76.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

No data
32.2%

International

International student share

284
336

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

    Cambridge

    96 countries · 32.2% international

    • 🇨🇳China28.2%
    • 🇺🇸United States10.3%
    • 🇸🇬Singapore6.6%
    • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5.3%
    • 🇮🇳India4.7%

    Subjects

    33 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 Cambridge

    Also taught at both: Economics, Politics & International Relations, Psychology (General), Software Engineering, Civil Engineering, Health & Social Care, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Management, Music, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Creative Writing, Education Studies, English Studies, Information Systems & Data Science, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Technology & Logistics, Landscape Architecture & Design, Biochemistry.

    Only at Birmingham City University

    Only at University of Cambridge

    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 Cambridge
    £32,890

    Birmingham City University is about £14,320 a year cheaper.

    Postgraduate

    Birmingham City University
    No data
    University of Cambridge
    £41,300

    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 Cambridge

    • Computer Science

      £23,500Salary (3 years)£63,500
      78%Satisfaction94%

    • Law

      £20,000Salary (3 years)£49,000
      80%Satisfaction96%

    • Architecture

      £23,000Salary (3 years)£38,000
      95%Satisfaction88%

    • Economics

      £24,000Salary (3 years)£59,500
      77%Satisfaction86%

    • Psychology (General)

      £19,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
      79%Satisfaction92%

    • Music

      £19,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
      95%Satisfaction97%

    • Education Studies

      £20,000Salary (3 years)No data
      88%Satisfaction92%

    • English Studies

      £21,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
      95%Satisfaction96%

    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 Cambridge

    View all scholarships →

    FAQ

    Birmingham City University vs University of Cambridge: common questions

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

    For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,570 a year at Birmingham City University and £32,890 at University of Cambridge: Birmingham City University is about £14,320 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 Cambridge?

    Both universities teach 33 subject areas: Childhood & Youth Studies, Computer Science, Sociology & Criminology, Law, Biomedical Sciences, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Business & Management (General), Architecture, Building & Construction, Finance & Actuarial Science, Mathematics, Media & Film Studies and 21 more.

    Is Birmingham City University or University of Cambridge better for Computer Science?

    Computer Science graduates earn a median £23,500 three years after graduating from Birmingham City University, and £63,500 from University of Cambridge. Student satisfaction with teaching is 78% at Birmingham City University and 94% at University of Cambridge. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

    University of Cambridge lists 336 courses on CourseOptions and Birmingham City University lists 284 courses.

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

    Birmingham City University teaches 35 subject areas that University of Cambridge does not, including Design & Fashion, Nursing (General), Marketing, Film Production & Cinematography, Games Design & Computer Animation, Accounting, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Fine Art and 27 more.

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

    University of Cambridge teaches 46 subject areas that Birmingham City University does not, including Biological Sciences (General), History, Asian Languages & Studies, General Engineering, Archaeology, Philosophy, Physics, Biology and 38 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 Cambridge336 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses