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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 Cumbria

Lancaster · Guardian UK #101

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

VS

0/2

Cumbria

scored higher in 0 categories

Quick Verdict

Birmingham City University leads in 2 of 2 categories where both have data (courses, scholarship). University of Cumbria does not lead in any category where both have data.

Birmingham City University vs University of Cumbria at a glance

Birmingham City University and University of Cumbria both teach 31 subject areas, the largest being Childhood & Youth Studies, Design & Fashion and Nursing (General). Birmingham City University offers 284 courses across 68 subject areas; University of Cumbria offers 136 courses across 40 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,570 a year at Birmingham City University and £16,000 at University of Cumbria: University of Cumbria is about £2,570 a year cheaper.

Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Birmingham City University is higher in 15 and University of Cumbria in 3, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Social Work: £31,500 three years after graduating from Birmingham City University, against £28,000 from University of Cumbria. Of the 21 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Birmingham City University is higher in 12 and University of Cumbria in 9.

World & National Rankings

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

#1001
QS World
—
—
THE World
—
—
Guardian UK
#101
N/A
Established
2007
No
Russell Group
No
—
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 Cumbria

No data
80.5%

Satisfaction

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

No data
£27,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

No data
89.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

No data
2.6%

International

International student share

284
136

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

10
1

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

    Cumbria

    14 countries · 2.6% international

    • 🇨🇦Canada14.9%
    • 🇵🇰Pakistan14.9%
    • 🇳🇬Nigeria10.6%
    • 🇩🇪Germany8.5%
    • 🇮🇪Ireland8.5%

    Subjects

    31 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 Cumbria

    Also taught at both: Biomedical Sciences, Mechanical Engineering, Education Studies, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Teacher Training, Mental Health Nursing, Midwifery, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Social Work, Adult Nursing, Applied Psychology, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Medical Imaging, Children's Nursing, Learning Disabilities Nursing, Management.

    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 Cumbria
    £16,000

    University of Cumbria is about £2,570 a year cheaper.

    Postgraduate

    Birmingham City University
    No data
    University of Cumbria
    £16,900

    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 Cumbria

    • Design & Fashion

      £20,000Salary (3 years)£17,000
      92%Satisfaction74%
    • Nursing (General)

      £29,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
      91%Satisfaction74%
    • Sport & Exercise Sciences

      No dataSalary (3 years)£21,000
      90%Satisfaction84%
    • Film Production & Cinematography

      £18,500Salary (3 years)£17,000
      86%Satisfaction77%
    • Business & Management (General)

      £23,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
      83%Satisfaction85%
    • Business Studies

      £22,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
      85%Satisfaction89%
    • Law

      £20,000Salary (3 years)£18,500
      80%Satisfaction95%
    • Health Sciences & Paramedic Science

      £28,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
      82%Satisfaction98%
    • Sociology & Criminology

      £22,000Salary (3 years)£19,500
      89%Satisfaction70%
    • Psychology (General)

      £19,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
      79%Satisfaction87%
    • Fine Art

      £17,000Salary (3 years)£17,000
      81%Satisfaction91%
    • Biomedical Sciences

      £31,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
      86%Satisfaction100%

    Showing the 12 largest of 21 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 Cumbria

    Future Talent Award

    £8,000

    Deadline: N/A

    View all scholarships →

    FAQ

    Birmingham City University vs University of Cumbria: common questions

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

    For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,570 a year at Birmingham City University and £16,000 at University of Cumbria: University of Cumbria is about £2,570 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 Cumbria?

    Both universities teach 31 subject areas: Childhood & Youth Studies, Design & Fashion, Nursing (General), Sport & Exercise Sciences, Film Production & Cinematography, Business & Management (General), Computer Science, Business Studies, Law, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Sociology & Criminology, Games Design & Computer Animation and 19 more.

    Is Birmingham City University or University of Cumbria better for Design & Fashion?

    Design & Fashion graduates earn a median £20,000 three years after graduating from Birmingham City University, and £17,000 from University of Cumbria. Student satisfaction with teaching is 92% at Birmingham City University and 74% at University of Cumbria. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

    Birmingham City University lists 284 courses on CourseOptions and University of Cumbria lists 136 courses.

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

    Birmingham City University teaches 37 subject areas that University of Cumbria does not, including Marketing, Building & Construction, Media & Film Studies, Accounting, Civil Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Software Engineering, Architecture and 29 more.

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

    University of Cumbria teaches 9 subject areas that Birmingham City University does not, including Forestry & Arboriculture, Ecology & Conservation, Human Geography & Environment, Zoology & Animal Biology, Environmental Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, Physical Geography & Climate, Plant Sciences and 1 more.

    Ready to explore courses?

    Browse available courses, check entry requirements, and find scholarships at each university.