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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.

D
Durham University

Durham · QS World #85

U
University College Birmingham

Birmingham

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 8 datapoints

We looked at 8 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

6/8

Durham

scored higher in 6 categories

VS

2/8

University College Birmingham

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

Durham University leads in 6 of 8 categories where both have data (Russell Group, established, satisfaction, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University College Birmingham is ahead on employment, international.

Durham University vs University College Birmingham at a glance

Durham University and University College Birmingham both teach 16 subject areas, the largest being Business Studies, Computer Science and Psychology (General). Durham University offers 278 courses across 54 subject areas; University College Birmingham offers 115 courses across 36 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,000 a year at Durham University and £13,500 at University College Birmingham: University College Birmingham is about £17,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,500 a year at Durham University and £17,000 at University College Birmingham: University College Birmingham is about £13,500 a year cheaper.

Of the 4 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Durham University is higher in 4 and University College Birmingham in 0. The widest gap is in Finance & Actuarial Science: £42,000 three years after graduating from Durham University, against £20,000 from University College Birmingham. Of the 5 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University College Birmingham is higher in 3 and Durham University in 0, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#85
QS World
—
#175
THE World
—
#6
Guardian UK
—
1832
Established
1957
Yes
Russell Group
No
Silver
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Durham University

University College Birmingham

90.7%
88.3%

Satisfaction

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

£43,800
£25,600

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

74.4%
77.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

32.6%
47%

International

International student share

278
115

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

102
7

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.

Durham

86 countries · 32.6% international

  • 🇨🇳China49.5%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong7.4%
  • 🇮🇳India5.9%
  • 🇺🇸United States4.9%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore2.6%
VS

University College Birmingham

26 countries · 47% international

  • 🌐Nepal48.9%
  • 🇮🇳India24.7%
  • 🇨🇳China11.5%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh3.8%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan3.3%

Subjects

16 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.

Durham University

University College Birmingham

  • Business Studies

    11 courses

    Typical fee £31,000 (UG)

    5 courses

    Typical fee £13,500 (UG)

  • Computer Science

    13 courses

    Typical fee £35,000 (UG)

    2 courses

    Typical fee £13,500 (UG)

  • Psychology (General)

    12 courses

    Typical fee £34,000 (UG)

    3 courses

    Typical fee £17,000 (PG)

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    9 courses

    Typical fee £31,000 (UG)

    5 courses

    Typical fee £13,500 (UG)

  • Politics & International Relations

    12 courses

    Typical fee £28,000 (UG)

    1 course

    Typical fee £17,000 (PG)

  • Sociology & Criminology

    8 courses

    Typical fee £28,000 (UG)

    4 courses

    Typical fee £16,000 (UG)

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    3 courses

    Typical fee £30,500 (UG)

    8 courses

    Typical fee £13,500 (UG)

  • Education Studies

    6 courses

    Typical fee £27,250 (UG)

    3 courses

    Typical fee £15,500 (UG)

  • Business & Management (General)

    2 courses

    Typical fee £33,500 (PG)

    4 courses

    Typical fee £13,500 (UG)

  • Childhood & Youth Studies

    1 course

    Typical fee £26,000 (PG)

    4 courses

    Typical fee £13,500 (UG)

  • Civil Engineering

    2 courses

    Typical fee £33,500 (PG)

    2 courses

    Typical fee £13,500 (UG)

  • Developmental & Educational Psychology

    2 courses

    Typical fee £30,500 (PG)

    2 courses

    Fee not available

  • Marketing

    1 course

    Typical fee £33,500 (PG)

    3 courses

    Typical fee £16,000 (UG)

  • Mechanical Engineering

    1 course

    Typical fee £33,500 (PG)

    2 courses

    Fee not available

  • Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning

    1 course

    Typical fee £34,500 (PG)

    1 course

    Fee not available

Also taught at both: Manufacturing & Production Engineering.

Only at Durham University

Only at University College 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

Durham University
£31,000
University College Birmingham
£13,500

University College Birmingham is about £17,500 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Durham University
£30,500
University College Birmingham
£17,000

University College Birmingham is about £13,500 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.

Durham University

University College Birmingham

  • Business Studies

    £41,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    83%Satisfaction86%

  • Computer Science

    £40,000Salary (3 years)No data
    87%Satisfaction87%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £42,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    89%Satisfaction89%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    92%Satisfaction96%

  • Education Studies

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£17,000
    86%Satisfaction98%

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Durham University

Sir Harry Evans Global Fellowship

£53,333

Deadline: N/A

Durham Inspiring Excellence Scholarships - Undergraduate

£30,000

Deadline: N/A

The Global DBA Scholarships

£25,000

Deadline: Nov 2026

The Mary Ward Postgraduate Scholarship Fund

£25,000

Deadline: N/A

Global Grand Challenges Studentships

£20,780

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

University College Birmingham

GREAT Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Vice-Chancellor's Award

100%

Deadline: N/A

Dean's Award

50%

Deadline: N/A

Early Action Scholarship

£4,500

Deadline: Jul 2026

Alumni Scholarship

25%

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Durham University vs University College Birmingham: common questions

Is Durham University or University College Birmingham cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,000 a year at Durham University and £13,500 at University College Birmingham: University College Birmingham is about £17,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,500 a year at Durham University and £17,000 at University College Birmingham: University College Birmingham is about £13,500 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 Durham University and University College Birmingham?

Both universities teach 16 subject areas: Business Studies, Computer Science, Psychology (General), Finance & Actuarial Science, Politics & International Relations, Sociology & Criminology, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Education Studies, Business & Management (General), Childhood & Youth Studies, Civil Engineering, Developmental & Educational Psychology and 4 more.

Is Durham University or University College Birmingham better for Business Studies?

Business Studies graduates earn a median £41,000 three years after graduating from Durham University, and £21,000 from University College Birmingham. Student satisfaction with teaching is 83% at Durham University and 86% at University College Birmingham. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Durham University or University College Birmingham offer more courses?

Durham University lists 278 courses on CourseOptions and University College Birmingham lists 115 courses.

What can you study at Durham University but not at University College Birmingham?

Durham University teaches 38 subject areas that University College Birmingham does not, including Economics, Theology & Religious Studies, Archaeology, General Engineering, Law, Anthropology, Accounting, Chemistry and 30 more.

What can you study at University College Birmingham but not at Durham University?

University College Birmingham teaches 20 subject areas that Durham University does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Building & Construction, Food Science, Health & Social Care, Food Production & Technology, Planning & Housing, Crafts & Applied Arts, Adult Nursing and 12 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

D
Durham University278 courses · 102 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University College Birmingham115 courses · 7 scholarshipsBrowse Courses