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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 Portsmouth

Portsmouth · QS World #662

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 3 datapoints

We looked at 3 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

1/3

Birmingham City

scored higher in 1 category

VS

2/3

Portsmouth

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Portsmouth leads in 2 of 3 categories where both have data (ranking, courses). Birmingham City University is ahead on scholarship.

Birmingham City University vs University of Portsmouth at a glance

Birmingham City University and University of Portsmouth both teach 50 subject areas, the largest being Childhood & Youth Studies, Computer Science and Design & Fashion. Birmingham City University offers 284 courses across 68 subject areas; University of Portsmouth offers 446 courses across 84 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,570 a year at Birmingham City University and £17,900 at University of Portsmouth: University of Portsmouth is about £670 a year cheaper.

Of the 39 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Portsmouth is higher in 32 and Birmingham City University in 6, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Software Engineering: £23,000 three years after graduating from Birmingham City University, against £33,500 from University of Portsmouth. Of the 40 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Birmingham City University is higher in 21 and University of Portsmouth in 17, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#1001
QS World
#662
—
THE World
#401
—
Guardian UK
#55
N/A
Established
1869
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 Portsmouth

No data
86.9%

Satisfaction

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

No data
£32,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

No data
84.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

No data
24.5%

International

International student share

284
446

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

    Portsmouth

    96 countries · 24.5% international

    • 🇮🇳India22.1%
    • 🇨🇳China11.6%
    • 🇳🇬Nigeria7.8%
    • 🌐Kuwait7.1%
    • 🇵🇰Pakistan5.6%

    Subjects

    50 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 Portsmouth

    Also taught at both: Film Production & Cinematography, Nursing (General), Sport & Exercise Sciences, Media & Film Studies, Architecture, Civil Engineering, Teacher Training, Finance & Actuarial Science, Mechanical Engineering, Human Resource Management, Journalism, Psychology (General), Software Engineering, Economics, Biomedical Sciences, Creative Writing, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Music, Social Work, Counselling & Psychotherapy, English Language, English Literature, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Applied Psychology, Information Systems & Data Science, Mathematics, Mental Health Nursing, Adult Nursing, Drama & Theatre, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Business Information Systems, Biochemistry, Medical Imaging, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation.

    Only at Birmingham City University

    Only at University of Portsmouth

    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 Portsmouth
    £17,900

    University of Portsmouth is about £670 a year cheaper.

    Postgraduate

    Birmingham City University
    No data
    University of Portsmouth
    £18,600

    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 Portsmouth

    • Childhood & Youth Studies

      £18,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
      84%Satisfaction85%

    • Computer Science

      £23,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
      78%Satisfaction82%

    • Design & Fashion

      £20,000Salary (3 years)£21,500
      92%Satisfaction83%

    • Sociology & Criminology

      £22,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
      89%Satisfaction87%

    • Building & Construction

      £29,500Salary (3 years)£36,500
      84%Satisfaction89%

    • Business Studies

      £22,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
      85%Satisfaction85%

    • Law

      £20,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
      80%Satisfaction88%

    • Marketing

      £23,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
      92%Satisfaction86%

    • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

      £23,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
      81%Satisfaction84%

    • Business & Management (General)

      £23,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
      83%Satisfaction87%

    • Accounting

      £23,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
      74%Satisfaction93%

    • Education Studies

      £20,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
      88%Satisfaction89%

    Showing the 12 largest of 40 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 Portsmouth

    Portsmouth Football Club Partnership Scholarship

    £3,000

    Deadline: N/A

    Estée Lauder Companies - Whitman Scholarship

    See details

    Deadline: N/A

    Portsmouth Football Club Partnership Scholarship

    See details

    Deadline: N/A

    Sanctuary Language Bursary

    See details

    Deadline: N/A

    Sanctuary Scholarship

    See details

    Deadline: N/A

    View all scholarships →

    FAQ

    Birmingham City University vs University of Portsmouth: common questions

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

    For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,570 a year at Birmingham City University and £17,900 at University of Portsmouth: University of Portsmouth is about £670 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 Portsmouth?

    Both universities teach 50 subject areas: Childhood & Youth Studies, Computer Science, Design & Fashion, Sociology & Criminology, Building & Construction, Business Studies, Law, Marketing, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Business & Management (General), Management, Accounting and 38 more.

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

    Childhood & Youth Studies graduates earn a median £18,500 three years after graduating from Birmingham City University, and £25,500 from University of Portsmouth. Student satisfaction with teaching is 84% at Birmingham City University and 85% at University of Portsmouth. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

    University of Portsmouth lists 446 courses on CourseOptions and Birmingham City University lists 284 courses.

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

    Birmingham City University teaches 18 subject areas that University of Portsmouth does not, including Health & Social Care, Fine Art, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Community & Specialist Nursing, Crafts & Applied Arts, Technology & Logistics, Applied Biology & Human Biology, Clinical Specialities and 10 more.

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

    University of Portsmouth teaches 34 subject areas that Birmingham City University does not, including General Engineering, Social Policy & Public Policy, Ancient Languages, History, Applied Computing, Dentistry, International Development, Linguistics and 26 more.

    Ready to explore courses?

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

    B
    Birmingham City University284 courses · 10 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
    U
    University of Portsmouth446 courses · 5 scholarshipsBrowse Courses