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
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
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.
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
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
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
Childhood & Youth Studies
28 coursesTypical fee £18,570 (UG)
17 coursesTypical fee £31,000 (PG)
Design & Fashion
17 coursesTypical fee £18,570 (UG)
6 coursesTypical fee £16,000 (UG)
Nursing (General)
13 coursesTypical fee £18,570 (UG)
3 coursesTypical fee £16,000 (UG)
Sport & Exercise Sciences
6 coursesTypical fee £18,570 (UG)
10 coursesTypical fee £16,000 (UG)
Film Production & Cinematography
Business & Management (General)
Computer Science
11 coursesTypical fee £18,570 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £16,000 (UG)
Business Studies
Law
Health Sciences & Paramedic Science
Sociology & Criminology
Games Design & Computer Animation
Psychology (General)
Health & Social Care
Fine Art
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.
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 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)£17,00092%Satisfaction74%Nursing (General)
£29,500Salary (3 years)£29,00091%Satisfaction74%Sport & Exercise Sciences
No dataSalary (3 years)£21,00090%Satisfaction84%Film Production & Cinematography
£18,500Salary (3 years)£17,00086%Satisfaction77%Business & Management (General)
£23,000Salary (3 years)£21,00083%Satisfaction85%Business Studies
£22,500Salary (3 years)£21,00085%Satisfaction89%Law
£20,000Salary (3 years)£18,50080%Satisfaction95%Health Sciences & Paramedic Science
£28,000Salary (3 years)£26,50082%Satisfaction98%Sociology & Criminology
£22,000Salary (3 years)£19,50089%Satisfaction70%Psychology (General)
£19,500Salary (3 years)£19,50079%Satisfaction87%Fine Art
£17,000Salary (3 years)£17,00081%Satisfaction91%Biomedical Sciences
£31,500Salary (3 years)£33,00086%Satisfaction100%
Showing the 12 largest of 21 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
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.
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