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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 Plymouth

Plymouth · QS World #691

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.

0/2

Birmingham City

scored higher in 0 categories

VS

2/2

Plymouth

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

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

Birmingham City University vs University of Plymouth at a glance

Birmingham City University and University of Plymouth both teach 48 subject areas, the largest being Childhood & Youth Studies, Design & Fashion and Business & Management (General). Birmingham City University offers 284 courses across 68 subject areas; University of Plymouth offers 310 courses across 78 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,570 a year at Birmingham City University and £19,200 at University of Plymouth: Birmingham City University is about £630 a year cheaper.

Of the 35 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Plymouth is higher in 19 and Birmingham City University in 12, with 4 about level. The widest gap is in Childhood & Youth Studies: £18,500 three years after graduating from Birmingham City University, against £29,000 from University of Plymouth. Of the 33 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Plymouth is higher in 15 and Birmingham City University in 13, with 5 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#1001
QS World
#691
—
THE World
#501
—
Guardian UK
#56
N/A
Established
1862
No
Russell Group
No
—
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 Plymouth

No data
86.6%

Satisfaction

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

No data
£30,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

No data
84.2%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

No data
11.9%

International

International student share

284
310

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

10
10

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

    Plymouth

    71 countries · 11.9% international

    • 🇳🇬Nigeria14.6%
    • 🇨🇳China12.2%
    • 🇮🇳India11%
    • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.7%
    • 🌐Sri Lanka3.3%

    Subjects

    48 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 Plymouth

    Also taught at both: Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Software Engineering, Accounting, Adult Nursing, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Media & Film Studies, Nutrition & Dietetics, Architecture, Counselling & Psychotherapy, English Studies, Mechanical Engineering, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Politics & International Relations, Education Studies, Fine Art, Management, Mathematics, Midwifery, Children's Nursing, Creative Writing, Mental Health Nursing, Social Work, Technology & Logistics, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Economics, Human Resource Management, Medical Imaging, Music, Applied Psychology, Drama & Theatre, Manufacturing & Production Engineering.

    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 Plymouth
    £19,200

    Birmingham City University is about £630 a year cheaper.

    Postgraduate

    Birmingham City University
    No data
    University of Plymouth
    £19,500

    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 Plymouth

    • Childhood & Youth Studies

      £18,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
      84%Satisfaction79%
    • Design & Fashion

      £20,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
      92%Satisfaction77%
    • Business & Management (General)

      £23,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
      83%Satisfaction83%
    • Computer Science

      £23,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
      78%Satisfaction72%
    • Law

      £20,000Salary (3 years)£21,500
      80%Satisfaction84%
    • Nursing (General)

      £29,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
      91%Satisfaction87%
    • Psychology (General)

      £19,500Salary (3 years)£21,500
      79%Satisfaction84%
    • Civil Engineering

      £23,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
      92%Satisfaction94%
    • Marketing

      £23,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
      92%Satisfaction90%
    • Sociology & Criminology

      £22,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
      89%Satisfaction83%
    • Building & Construction

      £29,500Salary (3 years)£31,500
      84%Satisfaction90%
    • Business Studies

      £22,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
      85%Satisfaction74%

    Showing the 12 largest of 36 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 Plymouth

    GREAT Scholarships

    £10,000

    Deadline: N/A

    Sanctuary Scholarships

    100%

    Deadline: N/A

    International Undergraduate Welcome to Plymouth Scholarship

    £6,000

    Deadline: N/A

    Tamar Engineering Project

    £4,500

    Deadline: Jun 2026

    International Postgraduate Welcome to Plymouth Scholarship

    £4,000

    Deadline: N/A

    View all scholarships →

    FAQ

    Birmingham City University vs University of Plymouth: common questions

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

    For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,570 a year at Birmingham City University and £19,200 at University of Plymouth: Birmingham City University is about £630 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 Plymouth?

    Both universities teach 48 subject areas: Childhood & Youth Studies, Design & Fashion, Business & Management (General), Computer Science, Law, Nursing (General), Psychology (General), Civil Engineering, Marketing, Sociology & Criminology, Building & Construction, Business Studies and 36 more.

    Is Birmingham City University or University of Plymouth better for Childhood & Youth Studies?

    Childhood & Youth Studies graduates earn a median £18,500 three years after graduating from Birmingham City University, and £29,000 from University of Plymouth. Student satisfaction with teaching is 84% at Birmingham City University and 79% at University of Plymouth. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

    University of Plymouth lists 310 courses on CourseOptions and Birmingham City University lists 284 courses.

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

    Birmingham City University teaches 20 subject areas that University of Plymouth does not, including Health & Social Care, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Journalism, Community & Specialist Nursing, Crafts & Applied Arts, Information Systems & Data Science, Teacher Training, Applied Biology & Human Biology and 12 more.

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

    University of Plymouth teaches 30 subject areas that Birmingham City University does not, including Geology & Earth Sciences, Ecology & Conservation, Physical Geography & Climate, Dentistry, Marine Engineering & Technology, Chemistry, Environmental Sciences, History and 22 more.

    Ready to explore courses?

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