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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 Nottingham

Nottingham · QS World #97

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

Nottingham

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Nottingham 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 Nottingham at a glance

Birmingham City University and University of Nottingham both teach 49 subject areas, the largest being Childhood & Youth Studies, Electronic & Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. Birmingham City University offers 284 courses across 68 subject areas; University of Nottingham offers 580 courses across 98 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,570 a year at Birmingham City University and £33,000 at University of Nottingham: Birmingham City University is about £14,430 a year cheaper.

Of the 19 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Nottingham is higher in 15 and Birmingham City University in 3, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Economics: £24,000 three years after graduating from Birmingham City University, against £38,500 from University of Nottingham. Of the 19 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Nottingham is higher in 10 and Birmingham City University in 6, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#1001
QS World
#97
—
THE World
#145
—
Guardian UK
#21
N/A
Established
1881
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 Nottingham

No data
86.6%

Satisfaction

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

No data
£40,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

No data
79.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

No data
21.1%

International

International student share

284
580

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

10
5

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

    Nottingham

    98 countries · 21.1% international

    • 🇨🇳China42.6%
    • 🇮🇳India9%
    • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia4.4%
    • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4%
    • 🇹🇷Turkey2.7%

    Subjects

    49 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 Nottingham

    Also taught at both: Economics, Health & Social Care, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Politics & International Relations, Marketing, Mechanical Engineering, Clinical Specialities, Mathematics, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Business Studies, English Studies, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Film Production & Cinematography, Management, Music, Accounting, Applied Psychology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Nutrition & Dietetics, Biochemistry, Creative Writing, Information Systems & Data Science, Mental Health Nursing, Education Studies, Midwifery, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Social Work, Technology & Logistics, English Language, Human Resource Management, Adult Nursing, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Developmental & Educational Psychology, English Literature.

    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 Nottingham
    £33,000

    Birmingham City University is about £14,430 a year cheaper.

    Postgraduate

    Birmingham City University
    No data
    University of Nottingham
    £30,800

    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 Nottingham

    • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

      £23,500Salary (3 years)£35,500
      81%Satisfaction86%
    • Computer Science

      £23,500Salary (3 years)£36,000
      78%Satisfaction79%
    • Civil Engineering

      £23,500Salary (3 years)£31,500
      92%Satisfaction92%
    • Media & Film Studies

      £21,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
      87%Satisfaction88%
    • Building & Construction

      £29,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
      84%Satisfaction77%
    • Architecture

      £23,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
      95%Satisfaction94%
    • Finance & Actuarial Science

      £23,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
      80%Satisfaction79%
    • Psychology (General)

      £19,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
      79%Satisfaction83%
    • Law

      £20,000Salary (3 years)£34,000
      80%Satisfaction89%
    • Sociology & Criminology

      £22,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
      89%Satisfaction90%
    • Biomedical Sciences

      £31,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
      86%Satisfaction90%
    • Economics

      £24,000Salary (3 years)£38,500
      77%Satisfaction83%

    Showing the 12 largest of 20 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 Nottingham

    Taiwan Research Hub PhD Scholarship 2026/27

    £11,000

    Deadline: N/A

    Molson Coors Award

    50%

    Deadline: N/A

    The Witty Entrepreneurial Scholarship

    £750

    Deadline: N/A

    Hillsborough Trust Memorial Bursary

    £500

    Deadline: N/A

    PhD Scholarships

    See details

    Deadline: N/A

    View all scholarships →

    FAQ

    Birmingham City University vs University of Nottingham: common questions

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

    For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,570 a year at Birmingham City University and £33,000 at University of Nottingham: Birmingham City University is about £14,430 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 Nottingham?

    Both universities teach 49 subject areas: Childhood & Youth Studies, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Design & Fashion, Civil Engineering, Media & Film Studies, Building & Construction, Architecture, Finance & Actuarial Science, Psychology (General), Business & Management (General) and 37 more.

    Is Birmingham City University or University of Nottingham better for Electronic & Electrical Engineering?

    Electronic & Electrical Engineering graduates earn a median £23,500 three years after graduating from Birmingham City University, and £35,500 from University of Nottingham. Student satisfaction with teaching is 81% at Birmingham City University and 86% at University of Nottingham. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

    University of Nottingham lists 580 courses on CourseOptions and Birmingham City University lists 284 courses.

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

    Birmingham City University teaches 19 subject areas that University of Nottingham does not, including Nursing (General), Games Design & Computer Animation, Software Engineering, Fine Art, Journalism, Community & Specialist Nursing, Crafts & Applied Arts, Teacher Training and 11 more.

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

    University of Nottingham teaches 49 subject areas that Birmingham City University does not, including Chemical Engineering, Philosophy, Physics, Biotechnology, Human Geography & Environment, Linguistics, History, Public Health & Epidemiology and 41 more.

    Ready to explore courses?

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