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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 Liverpool

Liverpool · QS World #139

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

Liverpool

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Liverpool 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 Liverpool at a glance

Birmingham City University and University of Liverpool both teach 46 subject areas, the largest being Music, Sociology & Criminology and Politics & International Relations. Birmingham City University offers 284 courses across 68 subject areas; University of Liverpool offers 793 courses across 94 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,570 a year at Birmingham City University and £32,000 at University of Liverpool: Birmingham City University is about £13,430 a year cheaper.

Of the 25 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Liverpool is higher in 21 and Birmingham City University in 4. The widest gap is in Software Engineering: £23,000 three years after graduating from Birmingham City University, against £33,000 from University of Liverpool. Of the 24 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Birmingham City University is higher in 12 and University of Liverpool in 10, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#1001
QS World
#139
—
THE World
#143
—
Guardian UK
#28
N/A
Established
1881
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 Liverpool

No data
87.7%

Satisfaction

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

No data
£34,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

No data
79.9%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

No data
24.1%

International

International student share

284
793

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

10
2

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

    Liverpool

    93 countries · 24.1% international

    • 🇨🇳China40.6%
    • 🇮🇳India17.1%
    • 🌐Kuwait4.3%
    • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia4%
    • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.1%

    Subjects

    46 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 Liverpool

    Also taught at both: Nursing (General), Civil Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Accounting, Architecture, English Literature, Film Production & Cinematography, Software Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Health & Social Care, Mechanical Engineering, Psychology (General), Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, English Language, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Business Information Systems, Information Systems & Data Science, Medical Imaging, Applied Biology & Human Biology, Clinical Specialities, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Human Resource Management, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Biochemistry, Drama & Theatre, Management, Minerals & Mining Technology.

    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 Liverpool
    £32,000

    Birmingham City University is about £13,430 a year cheaper.

    Postgraduate

    Birmingham City University
    No data
    University of Liverpool
    £30,000

    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 Liverpool

    • Music

      £19,500Salary (3 years)£19,000
      95%Satisfaction91%
    • Sociology & Criminology

      £22,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
      89%Satisfaction86%
    • Law

      £20,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
      80%Satisfaction86%
    • Media & Film Studies

      £21,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
      87%Satisfaction87%
    • Computer Science

      £23,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
      78%Satisfaction77%
    • Business Studies

      £22,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
      85%Satisfaction83%
    • English Studies

      £21,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
      95%Satisfaction90%
    • Marketing

      £23,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
      92%Satisfaction89%
    • Economics

      £24,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
      77%Satisfaction86%
    • Nursing (General)

      £29,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
      91%Satisfaction97%
    • Civil Engineering

      £23,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
      92%Satisfaction91%
    • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

      £23,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
      81%Satisfaction84%

    Showing the 12 largest of 25 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 Liverpool

    Liverpool Advancement Scholarship

    £5,000

    Deadline: N/A

    Postgraduate Opportunity Bursary

    £3,000

    Deadline: N/A

    View all scholarships →

    FAQ

    Birmingham City University vs University of Liverpool: common questions

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

    For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,570 a year at Birmingham City University and £32,000 at University of Liverpool: Birmingham City University is about £13,430 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 Liverpool?

    Both universities teach 46 subject areas: Music, Sociology & Criminology, Politics & International Relations, Law, Media & Film Studies, Childhood & Youth Studies, Computer Science, Business Studies, Mathematics, English Studies, Business & Management (General), Design & Fashion and 34 more.

    Is Birmingham City University or University of Liverpool better for Music?

    Music graduates earn a median £19,500 three years after graduating from Birmingham City University, and £19,000 from University of Liverpool. Student satisfaction with teaching is 95% at Birmingham City University and 91% at University of Liverpool. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

    University of Liverpool lists 793 courses on CourseOptions and Birmingham City University lists 284 courses.

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

    Birmingham City University teaches 22 subject areas that University of Liverpool does not, including Building & Construction, Games Design & Computer Animation, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Fine Art, Journalism, Community & Specialist Nursing, Crafts & Applied Arts, Education Studies and 14 more.

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

    University of Liverpool teaches 48 subject areas that Birmingham City University does not, including Archaeology, History, Asian Languages & Studies, Classical Studies, French, Italian, German & Scandinavian Studies, Philosophy and 40 more.

    Ready to explore courses?

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