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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 of Birmingham

Birmingham · QS World #68

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 10 datapoints

We looked at 10 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

6/10

Durham

scored higher in 6 categories

VS

4/10

Birmingham

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

Durham University leads in 6 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, scholarship). University of Birmingham is ahead on ranking, employment, courses.

Durham University vs University of Birmingham at a glance

Durham University and University of Birmingham both teach 49 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Law and History. Durham University offers 278 courses across 54 subject areas; University of Birmingham offers 663 courses across 101 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,000 a year at Durham University and £27,090 at University of Birmingham: University of Birmingham is about £3,910 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,500 a year at Durham University and £23,390 at University of Birmingham: University of Birmingham is about £7,110 a year cheaper.

Of the 27 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Durham University is higher in 25 and University of Birmingham in 0, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Law: £36,000 three years after graduating from Durham University, against £27,500 from University of Birmingham. Of the 29 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Durham University is higher in 25 and University of Birmingham in 4.

World & National Rankings

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

#85
QS World
#68
#175
THE World
#98
#6
Guardian UK
#18
1832
Established
1900
Yes
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.

Durham University

University of Birmingham

90.7%
86.7%

Satisfaction

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

£43,800
£38,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

74.4%
83.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

32.6%
31.2%

International

International student share

278
663

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

102
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.

Durham

86 countries · 32.6% international

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

Birmingham

104 countries · 31.2% international

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

Subjects

49 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 of Birmingham

Also taught at both: Finance & Actuarial Science, Mathematics, Physics, Ancient Languages, Business & Management (General), Civil Engineering, Education Studies, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Classical Studies, Anthropology, Accounting, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Marketing, Music, Management, Biology, Natural Sciences, English Studies, Human Geography & Environment, Childhood & Youth Studies, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, English Language, Social Policy & Public Policy, Biochemistry, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Clinical Specialities, Mechanical Engineering, English Literature, Physical Geography & Climate, Social Sciences (General), Biotechnology, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Liberal Arts.

Only at Durham 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

Durham University
£31,000
University of Birmingham
£27,090

University of Birmingham is about £3,910 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Durham University
£30,500
University of Birmingham
£23,390

University of Birmingham is about £7,110 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 of Birmingham

  • Politics & International Relations

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    88%Satisfaction86%

  • Law

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    90%Satisfaction83%

  • History

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    94%Satisfaction89%

  • Philosophy

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    88%Satisfaction93%

  • Theology & Religious Studies

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    98%Satisfaction94%

  • Economics

    £42,000Salary (3 years)£34,500
    90%Satisfaction85%

  • Computer Science

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£40,000
    87%Satisfaction93%

  • Geology & Earth Sciences

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    96%Satisfaction91%

  • General Engineering

    £35,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    86%Satisfaction82%

  • Psychology (General)

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    91%Satisfaction90%

  • Business Studies

    £41,000Salary (3 years)£35,000
    83%Satisfaction77%

  • Chemistry

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    96%Satisfaction93%

Showing the 12 largest of 29 shared subjects with published outcomes.

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 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

Durham University vs University of Birmingham: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,000 a year at Durham University and £27,090 at University of Birmingham: University of Birmingham is about £3,910 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,500 a year at Durham University and £23,390 at University of Birmingham: University of Birmingham is about £7,110 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 of Birmingham?

Both universities teach 49 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Law, History, Philosophy, Theology & Religious Studies, Economics, Computer Science, Geology & Earth Sciences, General Engineering, Psychology (General), Business Studies, Chemistry and 37 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £34,000 three years after graduating from Durham University, and £28,000 from University of Birmingham. Student satisfaction with teaching is 88% at Durham University and 86% at University of Birmingham. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Durham University or University of Birmingham offer more courses?

University of Birmingham lists 663 courses on CourseOptions and Durham University lists 278 courses.

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

Durham University teaches 5 subject areas that University of Birmingham does not, including Asian Languages & Studies, Biomedical Engineering, Combined & General Studies, Forensic Science and Humanities.

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

University of Birmingham teaches 52 subject areas that Durham University does not, including Health & Social Care, International Development, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Biomedical Sciences, History of Art & Design, Chemical Engineering, Environmental Sciences, French and 44 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 of Birmingham663 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses