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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.

E
Edinburgh Napier University

Edinburgh · 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.

2/11

Edinburgh Napier

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

9/11

Birmingham

scored higher in 9 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Birmingham leads in 9 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses). Edinburgh Napier University is ahead on employment, scholarship.

Edinburgh Napier University vs University of Birmingham at a glance

Edinburgh Napier University and University of Birmingham both teach 41 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Law and Marketing. Edinburgh Napier University offers 199 courses across 53 subject areas; University of Birmingham offers 663 courses across 101 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,310 a year at Edinburgh Napier University and £27,090 at University of Birmingham: Edinburgh Napier University is about £6,780 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,540 a year at Edinburgh Napier University and £23,390 at University of Birmingham: Edinburgh Napier University is about £2,850 a year cheaper.

Of the 27 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Birmingham is higher in 22 and Edinburgh Napier University in 2, with 3 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £25,500 three years after graduating from Edinburgh Napier University, against £40,000 from University of Birmingham. Of the 25 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Edinburgh Napier University is higher in 13 and University of Birmingham in 10, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#801
QS World
#68
#601
THE World
#98
#57
Guardian UK
#18
1964
Established
1900
No
Russell Group
Yes
—
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Edinburgh Napier University

University of Birmingham

84.3%
86.7%

Satisfaction

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

£32,100
£38,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

86.1%
83.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

27.5%
31.2%

International

International student share

199
663

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

29
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.

Edinburgh Napier

70 countries · 27.5% international

  • 🇮🇳India30.9%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan14.5%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria13.2%
  • 🇺🇸United States5.3%
  • 🇩🇪Germany4.2%
VS

Birmingham

104 countries · 31.2% international

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

Subjects

41 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.

Edinburgh Napier University

University of Birmingham

Also taught at both: Finance & Actuarial Science, Media & Film Studies, Psychology (General), Accounting, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Nursing (General), Drama & Theatre, Film Production & Cinematography, Creative Writing, Social Policy & Public Policy, English Studies, Information Systems & Data Science, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Social Sciences (General), Adult Nursing, Applied Psychology, Biological Sciences (General), Human Resource Management, Software Engineering, Mental Health Nursing, Midwifery, Children's Nursing, Computing & IT.

Only at Edinburgh Napier 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

Edinburgh Napier University
£20,310
University of Birmingham
£27,090

Edinburgh Napier University is about £6,780 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Edinburgh Napier University
£20,540
University of Birmingham
£23,390

Edinburgh Napier University is about £2,850 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.

Edinburgh Napier University

University of Birmingham

  • Business & Management (General)

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£35,000
    79%Satisfaction79%

  • Law

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    83%Satisfaction83%

  • Marketing

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£35,000
    85%Satisfaction79%

  • Civil Engineering

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    94%Satisfaction78%

  • Computer Science

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£40,000
    84%Satisfaction93%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    77%Satisfaction88%

  • Business Studies

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£35,000
    79%Satisfaction77%

  • Management

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£35,000
    76%Satisfaction84%

  • Microbiology & Cell Biology

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    98%Satisfaction85%

  • Music

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    91%Satisfaction89%

  • Hospitality, Events & Tourism

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    87%Satisfaction80%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    79%Satisfaction83%

Showing the 12 largest of 28 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Edinburgh Napier University

OAS Craiglockhart Scholarship

£30,000

Deadline: N/A

WSP and Dodyk Scholarship

£16,875

Deadline: N/A

Hong Kong Scholarship Trust

£16,000

Deadline: Apr 2027

Carnegie Masters Grant

£10,000

Deadline: Jul 2026

Data and AI Scholarships with The Data Lab

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

Edinburgh Napier University vs University of Birmingham: common questions

Is Edinburgh Napier University or University of Birmingham cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,310 a year at Edinburgh Napier University and £27,090 at University of Birmingham: Edinburgh Napier University is about £6,780 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,540 a year at Edinburgh Napier University and £23,390 at University of Birmingham: Edinburgh Napier University is about £2,850 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 Edinburgh Napier University and University of Birmingham?

Both universities teach 41 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Law, Marketing, Teacher Training, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Business Studies, Health & Social Care, Management, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Music and 29 more.

Is Edinburgh Napier University or University of Birmingham better for Business & Management (General)?

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £36,000 three years after graduating from Edinburgh Napier University, and £35,000 from University of Birmingham. Student satisfaction with teaching is 79% at Edinburgh Napier University and 79% at University of Birmingham. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Edinburgh Napier University or University of Birmingham offer more courses?

University of Birmingham lists 663 courses on CourseOptions and Edinburgh Napier University lists 199 courses.

What can you study at Edinburgh Napier University but not at University of Birmingham?

Edinburgh Napier University teaches 12 subject areas that University of Birmingham does not, including Design & Fashion, Building & Construction, Ecology & Conservation, Journalism, Architecture, Games Design & Computer Animation, Creative Arts (General), Learning Disabilities Nursing and 4 more.

What can you study at University of Birmingham but not at Edinburgh Napier University?

University of Birmingham teaches 60 subject areas that Edinburgh Napier University does not, including Politics & International Relations, History, Philosophy, Geology & Earth Sciences, International Development, Physics, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Ancient Languages and 52 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

E
Edinburgh Napier University199 courses · 29 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Birmingham663 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses