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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.

G
Glasgow Caledonian University

Glasgow · QS World #1001

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

Glasgow Caledonian

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, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Glasgow Caledonian University is ahead on satisfaction, employment.

Glasgow Caledonian University vs University of Birmingham at a glance

Glasgow Caledonian University and University of Birmingham both teach 35 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Law and Business & Management (General). Glasgow Caledonian University offers 130 courses across 48 subject areas; University of Birmingham offers 663 courses across 101 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £15,700 a year at Glasgow Caledonian University and £27,090 at University of Birmingham: Glasgow Caledonian University is about £11,390 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,950 a year at Glasgow Caledonian University and £23,390 at University of Birmingham: Glasgow Caledonian University is about £5,440 a year cheaper.

Of the 21 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Birmingham is higher in 16 and Glasgow Caledonian University in 5. The widest gap is in Accounting: £23,000 three years after graduating from Glasgow Caledonian University, against £37,000 from University of Birmingham. Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Glasgow Caledonian University is higher in 13 and University of Birmingham in 6, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#1001
QS World
#68
#801
THE World
#98
#88
Guardian UK
#18
1993
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.

Glasgow Caledonian University

University of Birmingham

87.1%
86.7%

Satisfaction

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

£33,200
£38,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

88.9%
83.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.7%
31.2%

International

International student share

130
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.

Glasgow Caledonian

45 countries · 22.7% international

  • 🇵🇰Pakistan39.5%
  • 🇮🇳India27.4%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria19.8%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh2.3%
  • 🇨🇦Canada1.6%
VS

Birmingham

104 countries · 31.2% international

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

Subjects

35 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.

Glasgow Caledonian University

University of Birmingham

Also taught at both: Economics, Management, General Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Accounting, Clinical Specialities, Dentistry, Public Health & Epidemiology, Social Work, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Adult Nursing, Social Sciences (General), Applied Psychology, Biological Sciences (General), Computing & IT, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Mental Health Nursing, Children's Nursing, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Software Engineering.

Only at Glasgow Caledonian 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

Glasgow Caledonian University
£15,700
University of Birmingham
£27,090

Glasgow Caledonian University is about £11,390 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Glasgow Caledonian University
£17,950
University of Birmingham
£23,390

Glasgow Caledonian University is about £5,440 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.

Glasgow Caledonian University

University of Birmingham

  • Law

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    No dataSatisfaction83%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£35,000
    85%Satisfaction79%

  • Civil Engineering

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    82%Satisfaction78%

  • Health Sciences & Paramedic Science

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£31,500
    71%SatisfactionNo data

  • Marketing

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£35,000
    82%Satisfaction79%

  • Business Studies

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£35,000
    90%Satisfaction77%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    97%Satisfaction83%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    92%Satisfaction82%

  • Computer Science

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£40,000
    67%Satisfaction93%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£35,000
    No dataSatisfaction80%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £20,000Salary (3 years)No data
    91%Satisfaction95%

  • Management

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£35,000
    89%Satisfaction84%

Showing the 12 largest of 23 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Glasgow Caledonian 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

Glasgow Caledonian University vs University of Birmingham: common questions

Is Glasgow Caledonian University or University of Birmingham cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £15,700 a year at Glasgow Caledonian University and £27,090 at University of Birmingham: Glasgow Caledonian University is about £11,390 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,950 a year at Glasgow Caledonian University and £23,390 at University of Birmingham: Glasgow Caledonian University is about £5,440 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 Glasgow Caledonian University and University of Birmingham?

Both universities teach 35 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Law, Business & Management (General), Civil Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Marketing, Business Studies, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Computer Science, Finance & Actuarial Science, Mathematics and 23 more.

Is Glasgow Caledonian University or University of Birmingham better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £22,500 three years after graduating from Glasgow Caledonian University, and £27,500 from University of Birmingham. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Glasgow Caledonian University or University of Birmingham offer more courses?

University of Birmingham lists 663 courses on CourseOptions and Glasgow Caledonian University lists 130 courses.

What can you study at Glasgow Caledonian University but not at University of Birmingham?

Glasgow Caledonian University teaches 13 subject areas that University of Birmingham does not, including Building & Construction, Design & Fashion, Games Design & Computer Animation, Medical Imaging, Optometry & Ophthalmics, Forensic Science, Journalism, Learning Disabilities Nursing and 5 more.

What can you study at University of Birmingham but not at Glasgow Caledonian University?

University of Birmingham teaches 66 subject areas that Glasgow Caledonian University does not, including History, Health & Social Care, Philosophy, Teacher Training, Geology & Earth Sciences, International Development, Physics, Sport & Exercise Sciences and 58 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

G
Glasgow Caledonian University130 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Birmingham663 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses