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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 Southampton

Southampton · QS World #111

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.

0/4

Birmingham City

scored higher in 0 categories

VS

4/4

Southampton

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Southampton leads in 4 of 4 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, courses, scholarship). Birmingham City University does not lead in any category where both have data.

Birmingham City University vs University of Southampton at a glance

Birmingham City University and University of Southampton both teach 52 subject areas, the largest being Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Business & Management (General) and Design & Fashion. Birmingham City University offers 284 courses across 68 subject areas; University of Southampton offers 545 courses across 91 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,570 a year at Birmingham City University and £26,000 at University of Southampton: Birmingham City University is about £7,430 a year cheaper.

Of the 30 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Southampton is higher in 28 and Birmingham City University in 1, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Software Engineering: £23,000 three years after graduating from Birmingham City University, against £47,000 from University of Southampton. Of the 29 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Southampton is higher in 14 and Birmingham City University in 11, with 4 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#1001
QS World
#111
—
THE World
#129
—
Guardian UK
#16
N/A
Established
1862
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 Southampton

No data
87%

Satisfaction

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

No data
£37,200

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

No data
82.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

No data
35.1%

International

International student share

284
545

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

10
52

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

    Southampton

    103 countries · 35.1% international

    • 🇨🇳China63.5%
    • 🇮🇳India4.8%
    • 🇲🇾Malaysia2.8%
    • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia2.6%
    • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.5%

    Subjects

    52 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 Southampton

    Also taught at both: Building & Construction, English Literature, Economics, Health & Social Care, Music, Education Studies, Games Design & Computer Animation, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Mathematics, Psychology (General), Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Politics & International Relations, Biomedical Sciences, Community & Specialist Nursing, Fine Art, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Architecture, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Management, Teacher Training, Children's Nursing, Clinical Specialities, Information Systems & Data Science, Adult Nursing, Biochemistry, English Studies, Technology & Logistics, Applied Psychology, Business Information Systems, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Creative Writing, English Language, Human Resource Management, Mental Health Nursing, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Midwifery, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation.

    Only at Birmingham City University

    Only at University of Southampton

    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 Southampton
    £26,000

    Birmingham City University is about £7,430 a year cheaper.

    Postgraduate

    Birmingham City University
    No data
    University of Southampton
    £31,200

    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 Southampton

    • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

      £23,500Salary (3 years)£40,500
      81%Satisfaction89%

    • Business & Management (General)

      £23,000Salary (3 years)£31,500
      83%Satisfaction80%

    • Design & Fashion

      £20,000Salary (3 years)£21,500
      92%Satisfaction89%

    • Finance & Actuarial Science

      £23,000Salary (3 years)£39,500
      80%Satisfaction84%

    • Computer Science

      £23,500Salary (3 years)£47,000
      78%Satisfaction80%

    • Mechanical Engineering

      £25,500Salary (3 years)£34,500
      86%Satisfaction87%

    • Media & Film Studies

      £21,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
      87%Satisfaction87%

    • Civil Engineering

      £23,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
      92%Satisfaction93%

    • Marketing

      £23,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
      92%Satisfaction88%

    • Sociology & Criminology

      £22,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
      89%Satisfaction86%

    • Law

      £20,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
      80%Satisfaction87%

    • Nursing (General)

      £29,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
      91%SatisfactionNo data

    Showing the 12 largest of 30 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 Southampton

    Horizon Europe fee waiver

    100%

    Deadline: N/A

    Cowrie Foundation Scholarship

    £8,000

    Deadline: N/A

    Xiamen University PhD Scholarships

    See details

    Deadline: N/A

    Sociology Criminology International Scholarship

    See details

    Deadline: N/A

    Southampton Ageing & Gerontology Talent Scholarship

    See details

    Deadline: N/A

    View all scholarships →

    FAQ

    Birmingham City University vs University of Southampton: common questions

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

    For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,570 a year at Birmingham City University and £26,000 at University of Southampton: Birmingham City University is about £7,430 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 Southampton?

    Both universities teach 52 subject areas: Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Business & Management (General), Design & Fashion, Finance & Actuarial Science, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Media & Film Studies, Civil Engineering, Marketing, Sociology & Criminology, Law, Nursing (General) and 40 more.

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

    Electronic & Electrical Engineering graduates earn a median £23,500 three years after graduating from Birmingham City University, and £40,500 from University of Southampton. Student satisfaction with teaching is 81% at Birmingham City University and 89% at University of Southampton. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

    University of Southampton lists 545 courses on CourseOptions and Birmingham City University lists 284 courses.

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

    Birmingham City University teaches 16 subject areas that University of Southampton does not, including Childhood & Youth Studies, Film Production & Cinematography, Journalism, Crafts & Applied Arts, Social Work, Applied Biology & Human Biology, Drama & Theatre, Hospitality, Events & Tourism and 8 more.

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

    University of Southampton teaches 39 subject areas that Birmingham City University does not, including General Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Geology & Earth Sciences, Physics, Archaeology, Chemical Engineering, History, Ancient Languages and 31 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 Southampton545 courses · 52 scholarshipsBrowse Courses