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.
Glasgow
Birmingham
Head-to-Head Summary
Based on 6 datapoints
We looked at 6 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.
3/6
Glasgow School of Art
scored higher in 3 categories
3/6
University College Birmingham
scored higher in 3 categories
Quick Verdict
Glasgow School of Art and University College Birmingham are evenly matched: each leads in 3 of 6 categories where both have data. Glasgow School of Art is ahead on established, employment, graduate salary; University College Birmingham on satisfaction, international, courses.
Glasgow School of Art vs University College Birmingham at a glance
Glasgow School of Art and University College Birmingham both teach 4 subject areas, the largest being Design & Fashion, Architecture and Crafts & Applied Arts. Glasgow School of Art offers 40 courses across 12 subject areas; University College Birmingham offers 115 courses across 36 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,350 a year at Glasgow School of Art and £13,500 at University College Birmingham: University College Birmingham is about £10,850 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,900 a year at Glasgow School of Art and £17,000 at University College Birmingham: University College Birmingham is about £8,900 a year cheaper.
Of the 3 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Glasgow School of Art is higher in 3 and University College Birmingham in 0. The widest gap is in Design & Fashion: £21,500 three years after graduating from Glasgow School of Art, against £18,500 from University College Birmingham. In Architecture, the one shared subject where both publish a student satisfaction score, University College Birmingham is higher.
World & National Rankings
Compare world and national league table positions, TEF ratings, and Russell Group membership.
Visual Breakdown
Key metrics at a glance
Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.
Glasgow School of Art
University College Birmingham
Satisfaction
Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)
Graduate Salaries (5y)
Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation
Employment
Graduate employment rate
International
International student share
Course Counts
Number of courses offered
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 School of Art
33 countries · 36.6% international
- 🇨🇳China64.4%
- 🇺🇸United States5.3%
- 🇮🇳India3.8%
- 🌐Korea (South)2.9%
- 🇫🇷France1.4%
University College Birmingham
26 countries · 47% international
- 🌐Nepal48.9%
- 🇮🇳India24.7%
- 🇨🇳China11.5%
- 🇧🇩Bangladesh3.8%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan3.3%
Subjects
4 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 School of Art
University College Birmingham
Design & Fashion
15 coursesTypical fee £24,350 (UG)
2 coursesFee not available
Architecture
Crafts & Applied Arts
Creative Arts (General)
Only at Glasgow School of Art
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
- Glasgow School of Art
- £24,350
- University College Birmingham
- £13,500
University College Birmingham is about £10,850 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Glasgow School of Art
- £25,900
- University College Birmingham
- £17,000
University College Birmingham is about £8,900 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 School of Art
University College Birmingham
Design & Fashion
£21,500Salary (3 years)£18,50083%SatisfactionNo dataArchitecture
£25,500Salary (3 years)No data90%Satisfaction91%Crafts & Applied Arts
£19,000Salary (3 years)£18,500No dataSatisfaction89%Creative Arts (General)
£19,000Salary (3 years)£18,500No dataSatisfactionNo data
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveGlasgow School of Art
GSA Financial Support Scholarships 2026/27
See details
Deadline: May 2026
GSA International Merit Scholarships 2026/27
See details
Deadline: May 2026
International Foundation Scholarships 2026-27
See details
Deadline: May 2026
Mackintosh School of Architecture Scholarships 2026-27
See details
Deadline: May 2026
School of Design Scholarships 2026-27
See details
Deadline: May 2026
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
FAQ
Glasgow School of Art vs University College Birmingham: common questions
Is Glasgow School of Art or University College Birmingham cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,350 a year at Glasgow School of Art and £13,500 at University College Birmingham: University College Birmingham is about £10,850 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,900 a year at Glasgow School of Art and £17,000 at University College Birmingham: University College Birmingham is about £8,900 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 School of Art and University College Birmingham?
Both universities teach 4 subject areas: Design & Fashion, Architecture, Crafts & Applied Arts and Creative Arts (General).
Is Glasgow School of Art or University College Birmingham better for Design & Fashion?
Design & Fashion graduates earn a median £21,500 three years after graduating from Glasgow School of Art, and £18,500 from University College Birmingham. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Glasgow School of Art or University College Birmingham offer more courses?
University College Birmingham lists 115 courses on CourseOptions and Glasgow School of Art lists 40 courses.
What can you study at Glasgow School of Art but not at University College Birmingham?
Glasgow School of Art teaches 8 subject areas that University College Birmingham does not, including Fine Art, Film Production & Cinematography, Applied Computing, History of Art & Design, Anatomy & Pathology, Computing & IT, Games Design & Computer Animation and General Engineering.
What can you study at University College Birmingham but not at Glasgow School of Art?
University College Birmingham teaches 32 subject areas that Glasgow School of Art does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Building & Construction, Food Science, Business Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Health & Social Care, Business & Management (General) and 24 more.
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