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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 South Wales

Pontypridd · QS World #1201

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

South Wales

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

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

Birmingham City University vs University of South Wales at a glance

Birmingham City University and University of South Wales both teach 43 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 South Wales offers 331 courses across 63 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,570 a year at Birmingham City University and £16,200 at University of South Wales: University of South Wales is about £2,370 a year cheaper.

Of the 33 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Birmingham City University is higher in 21 and University of South Wales in 9, with 3 about level. The widest gap is in Building & Construction: £29,500 three years after graduating from Birmingham City University, against £40,500 from University of South Wales. Of the 34 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of South Wales is higher in 19 and Birmingham City University in 13, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#1001
QS World
#1201
—
THE World
#1201
—
Guardian UK
#83
N/A
Established
1913
No
Russell Group
No
—
TEF Rating
—

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 South Wales

No data
86.7%

Satisfaction

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

No data
£27,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

No data
84.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

No data
22%

International

International student share

284
331

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

10
23

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

    South Wales

    71 countries · 22% international

    • 🇳🇬Nigeria17.6%
    • 🇧🇩Bangladesh16.6%
    • 🇮🇳India16.1%
    • 🇵🇰Pakistan15.7%
    • 🌐Sri Lanka6.6%

    Subjects

    43 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 South Wales

    Also taught at both: Civil Engineering, Games Design & Computer Animation, Business Studies, Sociology & Criminology, Accounting, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Health & Social Care, Finance & Actuarial Science, Music, Community & Specialist Nursing, Education Studies, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Journalism, Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Drama & Theatre, Fine Art, Information Systems & Data Science, Social Work, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Crafts & Applied Arts, Human Resource Management, Management, Midwifery, English Studies, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Politics & International Relations.

    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 South Wales
    £16,200

    University of South Wales is about £2,370 a year cheaper.

    Postgraduate

    Birmingham City University
    No data
    University of South Wales
    £17,900

    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 South Wales

    • Childhood & Youth Studies

      £18,500Salary (3 years)£18,500
      84%Satisfaction93%
    • Design & Fashion

      £20,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
      92%Satisfaction88%
    • Nursing (General)

      £29,500Salary (3 years)£34,500
      91%Satisfaction83%
    • Business & Management (General)

      £23,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
      83%Satisfaction94%
    • Psychology (General)

      £19,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
      79%Satisfaction90%
    • Law

      £20,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
      80%Satisfaction96%
    • Building & Construction

      £29,500Salary (3 years)£40,500
      84%Satisfaction88%
    • Film Production & Cinematography

      £18,500Salary (3 years)£18,000
      86%Satisfaction87%
    • Sport & Exercise Sciences

      No dataSalary (3 years)£21,000
      90%Satisfaction87%
    • Marketing

      £23,500Salary (3 years)£19,000
      92%Satisfaction94%
    • Computer Science

      £23,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
      78%Satisfaction90%
    • Health Sciences & Paramedic Science

      £28,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
      82%Satisfaction97%

    Showing the 12 largest of 34 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 South Wales

    USW Postgraduate Refugee Sanctuary Scheme

    100%

    Deadline: N/A

    USW Postgraduate Sanctuary Scholarship 2026/2027

    100%

    Deadline: Jul 2026

    USW Postgraduate Sanctuary Scholarship 2027/2028

    100%

    Deadline: Jul 2027

    USW Refugee Sanctuary Scheme

    100%

    Deadline: N/A

    Undergraduate Sanctuary Scholarship 2026/2027

    100%

    Deadline: Jul 2026

    View all scholarships →

    FAQ

    Birmingham City University vs University of South Wales: common questions

    Is Birmingham City University or University of South Wales cheaper for international students?

    For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,570 a year at Birmingham City University and £16,200 at University of South Wales: University of South Wales is about £2,370 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 South Wales?

    Both universities teach 43 subject areas: Childhood & Youth Studies, Design & Fashion, Nursing (General), Business & Management (General), Psychology (General), Law, Building & Construction, Film Production & Cinematography, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Marketing, Computer Science, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science and 31 more.

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

    Childhood & Youth Studies graduates earn a median £18,500 three years after graduating from Birmingham City University, and £18,500 from University of South Wales. Student satisfaction with teaching is 84% at Birmingham City University and 93% at University of South Wales. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

    Does Birmingham City University or University of South Wales offer more courses?

    University of South Wales lists 331 courses on CourseOptions and Birmingham City University lists 284 courses.

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

    Birmingham City University teaches 25 subject areas that University of South Wales does not, including Architecture, Technology & Logistics, Applied Biology & Human Biology, Applied Psychology, Business Information Systems, Clinical Specialities, Creative Writing, Landscape Architecture & Design and 17 more.

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

    University of South Wales teaches 20 subject areas that Birmingham City University does not, including Healthcare Science, Aerospace Engineering, Forensic Science, Biology, Applied Computing, Chemistry, Social Sciences (General), Complementary & Alternative Medicine and 12 more.

    Ready to explore courses?

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