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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
Bournemouth University

Poole · QS World #801

U
University of Birmingham

Birmingham · QS World #68

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 11 datapoints

We looked at 11 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

1/11

Bournemouth

scored higher in 1 category

VS

10/11

Birmingham

scored higher in 10 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Birmingham leads in 10 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Bournemouth University is ahead on employment.

Bournemouth University vs University of Birmingham at a glance

Bournemouth University and University of Birmingham both teach 47 subject areas, the largest being Law, Politics & International Relations and Business & Management (General). Bournemouth University offers 225 courses across 59 subject areas; University of Birmingham offers 663 courses across 101 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,690 a year at Bournemouth University and £27,090 at University of Birmingham: Bournemouth University is about £6,400 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,690 a year at Bournemouth University and £23,390 at University of Birmingham: Bournemouth University is about £3,700 a year cheaper.

Of the 29 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Birmingham is higher in 23 and Bournemouth University in 4, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £30,500 three years after graduating from Bournemouth University, against £40,000 from University of Birmingham. Of the 29 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Birmingham is higher in 15 and Bournemouth University in 12, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#801
QS World
#68
#401
THE World
#98
#59
Guardian UK
#18
1992
Established
1900
No
Russell Group
Yes
Silver
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.

Bournemouth University

University of Birmingham

80.8%
86.7%

Satisfaction

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

£33,600
£38,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

86.4%
83.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16.4%
31.2%

International

International student share

225
663

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
3

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.

Bournemouth

73 countries · 16.4% international

  • 🇮🇳India27.9%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria13.8%
  • 🇨🇳China10.5%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia6.5%
  • 🇹🇷Turkey5.6%
VS

Birmingham

104 countries · 31.2% international

  • 🇨🇳China55.7%
  • 🇮🇳India9.4%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.2%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.8%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia2%

Subjects

47 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.

Bournemouth University

University of Birmingham

Also taught at both: Biomedical Sciences, Finance & Actuarial Science, Economics, Film Production & Cinematography, Management, General Engineering, Nursing (General), Accounting, Environmental Sciences, Geography (General), Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Social Work, Mechanical Engineering, Childhood & Youth Studies, Adult Nursing, Anthropology, Archaeology, Creative Writing, Software Engineering, Applied Psychology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biological Sciences (General), Mental Health Nursing, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Social Sciences (General), Children's Nursing, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Human Geography & Environment, Midwifery, Computing & IT, Healthcare Science.

Only at Bournemouth University

Only at University of Birmingham

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

Bournemouth University
£20,690
University of Birmingham
£27,090

Bournemouth University is about £6,400 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Bournemouth University
£19,690
University of Birmingham
£23,390

Bournemouth University is about £3,700 a year cheaper.

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.

Bournemouth University

University of Birmingham

  • Law

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    85%Satisfaction83%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£35,000
    61%Satisfaction79%

  • Marketing

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£35,000
    80%Satisfaction79%

  • History

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    93%Satisfaction89%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    81%Satisfaction88%

  • Computer Science

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£40,000
    73%Satisfaction93%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    83%Satisfaction83%

  • Health Sciences & Paramedic Science

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£31,500
    95%SatisfactionNo data

  • Hospitality, Events & Tourism

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    78%Satisfaction80%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)No data
    76%Satisfaction95%

  • Music

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    85%Satisfaction89%

  • Psychology (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    77%Satisfaction90%

Showing the 12 largest of 30 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Bournemouth University

View all scholarships →

University of Birmingham

Enhanced Chamberlain Award

£3,500

Deadline: N/A

University Music Scholarships

£3,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

University Music Scholarships

£1,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Bournemouth University vs University of Birmingham: common questions

Is Bournemouth University or University of Birmingham cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,690 a year at Bournemouth University and £27,090 at University of Birmingham: Bournemouth University is about £6,400 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,690 a year at Bournemouth University and £23,390 at University of Birmingham: Bournemouth University is about £3,700 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 Bournemouth University and University of Birmingham?

Both universities teach 47 subject areas: Law, Politics & International Relations, Business & Management (General), Marketing, History, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Computer Science, Health & Social Care, Teacher Training, Sociology & Criminology, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Hospitality, Events & Tourism and 35 more.

Is Bournemouth University or University of Birmingham better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £26,000 three years after graduating from Bournemouth University, and £27,500 from University of Birmingham. Student satisfaction with teaching is 85% at Bournemouth University and 83% at University of Birmingham. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Bournemouth University or University of Birmingham offer more courses?

University of Birmingham lists 663 courses on CourseOptions and Bournemouth University lists 225 courses.

What can you study at Bournemouth University but not at University of Birmingham?

Bournemouth University teaches 12 subject areas that University of Birmingham does not, including Applied Computing, Games Design & Computer Animation, Journalism, Business Information Systems, Design & Fashion, Forensic Science, Ecology & Conservation, Applied Biology & Human Biology and 4 more.

What can you study at University of Birmingham but not at Bournemouth University?

University of Birmingham teaches 54 subject areas that Bournemouth University does not, including Philosophy, Civil Engineering, Geology & Earth Sciences, International Development, Physics, Ancient Languages, Chemistry, Education Studies and 46 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

B
Bournemouth University225 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Birmingham663 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses