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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 St Andrews

St Andrews · QS World #115

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.

0/3

Birmingham City

scored higher in 0 categories

VS

3/3

St Andrews

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

University of St Andrews leads in 3 of 3 categories where both have data (ranking, courses, scholarship). Birmingham City University does not lead in any category where both have data.

Birmingham City University vs University of St Andrews at a glance

Birmingham City University and University of St Andrews both teach 26 subject areas, the largest being Economics, Politics & International Relations and Media & Film Studies. Birmingham City University offers 284 courses across 68 subject areas; University of St Andrews offers 1,157 courses across 64 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,570 a year at Birmingham City University and £30,160 at University of St Andrews: Birmingham City University is about £11,590 a year cheaper.

Of the 7 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of St Andrews is higher in 6 and Birmingham City University in 1. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £23,500 three years after graduating from Birmingham City University, against £51,500 from University of St Andrews. Of the 8 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of St Andrews is higher in 6 and Birmingham City University in 2.

World & National Rankings

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

#1001
QS World
#115
—
THE World
#162
—
Guardian UK
#3
N/A
Established
1413
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 St Andrews

No data
93.2%

Satisfaction

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

No data
£40,000

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

No data
74.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

No data
46.1%

International

International student share

284
1157

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

10
62

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

    St Andrews

    89 countries · 46.1% international

    • 🇺🇸United States42.3%
    • 🇨🇳China9%
    • 🇩🇪Germany4%
    • 🇮🇳India4%
    • 🇭🇰Hong Kong3.2%

    Subjects

    26 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 St Andrews

    Also taught at both: Sociology & Criminology, Business Studies, Software Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Creative Writing, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Biochemistry, Applied Biology & Human Biology, English Literature, Microbiology & Cell Biology.

    Only at Birmingham City University

    Only at University of St Andrews

    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 St Andrews
    £30,160

    Birmingham City University is about £11,590 a year cheaper.

    Postgraduate

    Birmingham City University
    No data
    University of St Andrews
    £27,200

    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 St Andrews

    • Economics

      £24,000Salary (3 years)£39,000
      77%Satisfaction93%

    • Media & Film Studies

      £21,500Salary (3 years)No data
      87%Satisfaction95%

    • English Studies

      £21,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
      95%Satisfaction92%

    • Computer Science

      £23,500Salary (3 years)£51,500
      78%Satisfaction93%

    • Psychology (General)

      £19,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
      79%Satisfaction89%

    • Business & Management (General)

      £23,000Salary (3 years)£37,500
      83%Satisfaction84%

    • Sociology & Criminology

      £22,000Salary (3 years)£34,000
      89%SatisfactionNo data

    • Biomedical Sciences

      £31,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
      86%Satisfaction81%

    • Applied Biology & Human Biology

      No dataSalary (3 years)£25,000
      90%Satisfaction96%

    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 St Andrews

    Applied Environmental Sciences MSc Awards - Women in Mining (WIM) UK

    100%

    Deadline: Jun 2026

    Environmental Science MSc Awards - The Cunningham Scholarship UK

    100%

    Deadline: Jun 2026

    Masters funding in Digital Health and Care

    £10,000

    Deadline: Jun 2026

    School of Modern Languages Masters Scholarship

    100%

    Deadline: May 2026

    University of Jordan Postgraduate Scholarships

    100%

    Deadline: N/A

    View all scholarships →

    FAQ

    Birmingham City University vs University of St Andrews: common questions

    Is Birmingham City University or University of St Andrews cheaper for international students?

    For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,570 a year at Birmingham City University and £30,160 at University of St Andrews: Birmingham City University is about £11,590 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 St Andrews?

    Both universities teach 26 subject areas: Economics, Politics & International Relations, Media & Film Studies, Childhood & Youth Studies, English Studies, Mathematics, Computer Science, Teacher Training, Psychology (General), Management, Marketing, Finance & Actuarial Science and 14 more.

    Is Birmingham City University or University of St Andrews better for Economics?

    Economics graduates earn a median £24,000 three years after graduating from Birmingham City University, and £39,000 from University of St Andrews. Student satisfaction with teaching is 77% at Birmingham City University and 93% at University of St Andrews. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

    Does Birmingham City University or University of St Andrews offer more courses?

    University of St Andrews lists 1,157 courses on CourseOptions and Birmingham City University lists 284 courses.

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

    Birmingham City University teaches 42 subject areas that University of St Andrews does not, including Design & Fashion, Nursing (General), Building & Construction, Film Production & Cinematography, Games Design & Computer Animation, Accounting, Civil Engineering, Health & Social Care and 34 more.

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

    University of St Andrews teaches 38 subject areas that Birmingham City University does not, including African & Middle Eastern Studies, French, German & Scandinavian Studies, Italian, History, Ancient Languages, Classical Studies, History of Art & Design and 30 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 St Andrews1,157 courses · 62 scholarshipsBrowse Courses