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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
Brunel University of London

Uxbridge · QS World #353

U
University of Birmingham

Birmingham · QS World #68

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 12 datapoints

We looked at 12 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

2/12

Brunel University of London

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

10/12

Birmingham

scored higher in 10 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Birmingham leads in 10 of 12 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, TEF, established, satisfaction, employment, graduate salary, courses). Brunel University of London is ahead on international, scholarship.

Brunel University of London vs University of Birmingham at a glance

Brunel University of London and University of Birmingham both teach 51 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Law and General Engineering. Brunel University of London offers 373 courses across 62 subject areas; University of Birmingham offers 663 courses across 101 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,400 a year at Brunel University of London and £27,090 at University of Birmingham: Brunel University of London is about £9,690 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,800 a year at Brunel University of London and £23,390 at University of Birmingham: University of Birmingham is about £1,410 a year cheaper.

Of the 32 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Birmingham is higher in 22 and Brunel University of London in 10. The widest gap is in Business Studies: £26,500 three years after graduating from Brunel University of London, against £35,000 from University of Birmingham. Of the 32 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Birmingham is higher in 16 and Brunel University of London in 13, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#353
QS World
#68
#401
THE World
#98
#69
Guardian UK
#18
1966
Established
1900
No
Russell Group
Yes
Bronze
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Brunel University of London

University of Birmingham

81.7%
86.7%

Satisfaction

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

£35,800
£38,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.3%
83.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

34.6%
31.2%

International

International student share

373
663

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

22
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.

Brunel University of London

81 countries · 34.6% international

  • 🇮🇳India26.2%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan11%
  • 🇨🇳China6.6%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh4.2%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4%
VS

Birmingham

104 countries · 31.2% international

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

Subjects

51 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.

Brunel University of London

University of Birmingham

Also taught at both: Media & Film Studies, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Finance & Actuarial Science, Music, Biochemistry, International Development, Marketing, Psychology (General), Education Studies, Chemical Engineering, Drama & Theatre, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Accounting, Geography (General), Mechanical Engineering, Childhood & Youth Studies, Environmental Sciences, Medicine, Anthropology, English Studies, Linguistics, Aerospace Engineering, Computing & IT, Creative Writing, Human Geography & Environment, Social Work, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Adult Nursing, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Mental Health Nursing, Social Sciences (General), Statistics, Children's Nursing, English Literature, Film Production & Cinematography, Human Resource Management.

Only at Brunel University of London

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

Brunel University of London
£17,400
University of Birmingham
£27,090

Brunel University of London is about £9,690 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Brunel University of London
£24,800
University of Birmingham
£23,390

University of Birmingham is about £1,410 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.

Brunel University of London

University of Birmingham

  • Politics & International Relations

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    94%Satisfaction86%

  • Law

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    70%Satisfaction83%

  • General Engineering

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    80%Satisfaction82%

  • Civil Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    88%Satisfaction78%

  • History

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    96%Satisfaction89%

  • Mathematics

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    77%Satisfaction85%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    72%Satisfaction83%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£35,000
    84%Satisfaction79%

  • Business Studies

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£35,000
    83%Satisfaction77%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    90%Satisfaction83%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    82%Satisfaction88%

  • Computer Science

    £37,000Salary (3 years)£40,000
    74%Satisfaction93%

Showing the 12 largest of 33 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Brunel University of London

MBA Scholarship (Full-time & Part-time) September 2026

£14,750

Deadline: Aug 2026

British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM 2026

100%

Deadline: N/A

Brunel Sanctuary Scholarship 2026/27

100%

Deadline: N/A

Brunel University of London and the China Scholarship Council PhD Scholarship 2026/27

100%

Deadline: N/A

Ealing Trailfinders (ETF) & Brunel University of London Rugby Academy Scholarship 2026/27

100%

Deadline: N/A

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

Brunel University of London vs University of Birmingham: common questions

Is Brunel University of London or University of Birmingham cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,400 a year at Brunel University of London and £27,090 at University of Birmingham: Brunel University of London is about £9,690 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,800 a year at Brunel University of London and £23,390 at University of Birmingham: University of Birmingham is about £1,410 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 Brunel University of London and University of Birmingham?

Both universities teach 51 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Law, General Engineering, Civil Engineering, History, Mathematics, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Business & Management (General), Business Studies, Sociology & Criminology, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science and 39 more.

Is Brunel University of London or University of Birmingham better for Politics & International Relations?

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £29,000 three years after graduating from Brunel University of London, and £28,000 from University of Birmingham. Student satisfaction with teaching is 94% at Brunel University of London and 86% at University of Birmingham. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Brunel University of London or University of Birmingham offer more courses?

University of Birmingham lists 663 courses on CourseOptions and Brunel University of London lists 373 courses.

What can you study at Brunel University of London but not at University of Birmingham?

Brunel University of London teaches 11 subject areas that University of Birmingham does not, including Design & Fashion, Business Information Systems, Building & Construction, Combined & General Studies, Games Design & Computer Animation, Journalism, Welsh Studies, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology and 3 more.

What can you study at University of Birmingham but not at Brunel University of London?

University of Birmingham teaches 50 subject areas that Brunel University of London does not, including Health & Social Care, Teacher Training, Geology & Earth Sciences, Physics, Ancient Languages, Chemistry, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Biomedical Sciences and 42 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

B
Brunel University of London373 courses · 22 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Birmingham663 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses