Skip to main content

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 the West of Scotland

Paisley · Guardian UK #115

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.

2/2

Birmingham City

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

0/2

West of Scotland

scored higher in 0 categories

Quick Verdict

Birmingham City University leads in 2 of 2 categories where both have data (courses, scholarship). University of the West of Scotland does not lead in any category where both have data.

Birmingham City University vs University of the West of Scotland at a glance

Birmingham City University and University of the West of Scotland both teach 33 subject areas, the largest being Childhood & Youth Studies, Design & Fashion and Business Studies. Birmingham City University offers 284 courses across 68 subject areas; University of the West of Scotland offers 119 courses across 49 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,570 a year at Birmingham City University and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £3,070 a year cheaper.

Of the 18 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Birmingham City University is higher in 10 and University of the West of Scotland in 7, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Childhood & Youth Studies: £18,500 three years after graduating from Birmingham City University, against £24,500 from University of the West of Scotland. Of the 19 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Birmingham City University is higher in 9 and University of the West of Scotland in 9, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#1001
QS World
—
—
THE World
#601
—
Guardian UK
#115
N/A
Established
1897
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 the West of Scotland

No data
89%

Satisfaction

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

No data
£31,134.9

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

No data
81.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

No data
30.3%

International

International student share

284
119

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

10
0

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

    West of Scotland

    33 countries · 30.3% international

    • 🇵🇰Pakistan36.2%
    • 🌐Nepal20.4%
    • 🇮🇳India19.3%
    • 🇳🇬Nigeria7.4%
    • 🇧🇩Bangladesh5.3%

    Subjects

    33 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 the West of Scotland

    Also taught at both: Journalism, Applied Psychology, Social Work, Biomedical Sciences, Community & Specialist Nursing, Music, Psychology (General), Education Studies, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Technology & Logistics, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mental Health Nursing, Midwifery, Politics & International Relations, Adult Nursing, English Language, Mathematics.

    Only at Birmingham City University

    Only at University of the West of Scotland

    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 the West of Scotland
    £15,500

    University of the West of Scotland is about £3,070 a year cheaper.

    Postgraduate

    Birmingham City University
    No data
    University of the West of Scotland
    £16,280

    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 the West of Scotland

    • Childhood & Youth Studies

      £18,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
      84%Satisfaction92%

    • Design & Fashion

      £20,000Salary (3 years)£17,500
      92%Satisfaction91%

    • Business Studies

      £22,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
      85%Satisfaction75%

    • Teacher Training

      £26,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
      84%Satisfaction94%

    • Law

      £20,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
      80%SatisfactionNo data

    • Accounting

      £23,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
      74%Satisfaction86%

    • Business Information Systems

      £23,000Salary (3 years)£22,000
      92%Satisfaction85%

    • Sociology & Criminology

      £22,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
      89%SatisfactionNo data

    • Sport & Exercise Sciences

      No dataSalary (3 years)£21,000
      90%Satisfaction91%

    • Health Sciences & Paramedic Science

      £28,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
      82%Satisfaction99%

    • Journalism

      £21,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
      91%Satisfaction87%

    • Social Work

      £31,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
      83%Satisfaction88%

    Showing the 12 largest of 21 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 the West of Scotland

    View all scholarships →

    FAQ

    Birmingham City University vs University of the West of Scotland: common questions

    Is Birmingham City University or University of the West of Scotland cheaper for international students?

    For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,570 a year at Birmingham City University and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £3,070 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 the West of Scotland?

    Both universities teach 33 subject areas: Childhood & Youth Studies, Design & Fashion, Business Studies, Nursing (General), Marketing, Teacher Training, Law, Accounting, Business Information Systems, Media & Film Studies, Sociology & Criminology, Business & Management (General) and 21 more.

    Is Birmingham City University or University of the West of Scotland better for Childhood & Youth Studies?

    Childhood & Youth Studies graduates earn a median £18,500 three years after graduating from Birmingham City University, and £24,500 from University of the West of Scotland. Student satisfaction with teaching is 84% at Birmingham City University and 92% at University of the West of Scotland. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

    Does Birmingham City University or University of the West of Scotland offer more courses?

    Birmingham City University lists 284 courses on CourseOptions and University of the West of Scotland lists 119 courses.

    What can you study at Birmingham City University but not at University of the West of Scotland?

    Birmingham City University teaches 35 subject areas that University of the West of Scotland does not, including Computer Science, Building & Construction, Film Production & Cinematography, Games Design & Computer Animation, Civil Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Software Engineering, Architecture and 27 more.

    What can you study at University of the West of Scotland but not at Birmingham City University?

    University of the West of Scotland teaches 16 subject areas that Birmingham City University does not, including Applied Computing, Chemistry, Computing & IT, General Engineering, Physics, Social Sciences (General), Aerospace Engineering, Public Health & Epidemiology and 8 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 the West of Scotland119 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses