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.
Newport · QS World #1401
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.
3/10
Harper Adams
scored higher in 3 categories
7/10
Birmingham
scored higher in 7 categories
Quick Verdict
University of Birmingham leads in 7 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses). Harper Adams University is ahead on TEF, employment, scholarship.
Harper Adams University vs University of Birmingham at a glance
Harper Adams University and University of Birmingham both teach 11 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Law and Business & Management (General). Harper Adams University offers 103 courses across 21 subject areas; University of Birmingham offers 663 courses across 101 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,500 a year at Harper Adams University and £27,090 at University of Birmingham: Harper Adams University is about £10,590 a year cheaper.
Of the 4 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Birmingham is higher in 2 and Harper Adams University in 0, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Business & Management (General): £29,500 three years after graduating from Harper Adams University, against £35,000 from University of Birmingham. Of the 4 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Harper Adams University is higher in 2 and University of Birmingham in 2.
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.
Harper Adams University
University of 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.
Harper Adams
14 countries · 2.6% international
- 🇮🇪Ireland37%
- 🌐Zimbabwe7.4%
- 🇩🇰Denmark3.7%
- 🇫🇷France3.7%
- 🇬🇷Greece3.7%
Birmingham
104 countries · 31.2% international
- 🇨🇳China55.7%
- 🇮🇳India9.4%
- 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.2%
- 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.8%
- 🇲🇾Malaysia2%
Subjects
11 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.
Harper Adams University
University of Birmingham
Politics & International Relations
3 coursesFee not available
28 coursesTypical fee £28,080 (UG)
Law
1 courseFee not available
24 coursesTypical fee £23,390 (UG)
Business & Management (General)
3 coursesTypical fee £16,500 (UG)
15 coursesFee not available
Geology & Earth Sciences
1 courseFee not available
14 coursesTypical fee £27,360 (PG)
Sport & Exercise Sciences
1 courseFee not available
14 coursesTypical fee £11,250 (PG)
Economics
Environmental Sciences
Management
Manufacturing & Production Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
Only at Harper Adams University
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
- Harper Adams University
- £16,500
- University of Birmingham
- £27,090
Harper Adams University is about £10,590 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Harper Adams University
- No data
- University of Birmingham
- £23,390
We do not have reliable international fee data for Harper Adams University yet.
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.
Harper Adams University
University of Birmingham
Business & Management (General)
£29,500Salary (3 years)£35,00077%Satisfaction79%Management
£29,500Salary (3 years)£35,00077%Satisfaction84%Manufacturing & Production Engineering
£33,000Salary (3 years)£33,00087%Satisfaction70%Mechanical Engineering
£33,000Salary (3 years)£33,00090%Satisfaction83%
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveHarper Adams University
The Cambidge Foundation CIO Entry Scholarship 2026-27
£6,000
Deadline: Aug 2026
Wakeham Petary Entry Scholarship 2026-27
£5,000
Deadline: Aug 2026
Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship 2026-27
£3,500
Deadline: Aug 2026
Wakeham Petary Open Entry Scholarship 2026-27
£2,500
Deadline: Aug 2026
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
FAQ
Harper Adams University vs University of Birmingham: common questions
Is Harper Adams University or University of Birmingham cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,500 a year at Harper Adams University and £27,090 at University of Birmingham: Harper Adams University is about £10,590 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 Harper Adams University and University of Birmingham?
Both universities teach 11 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Law, Business & Management (General), Geology & Earth Sciences, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Economics, Environmental Sciences, Management, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning.
Is Harper Adams University or University of Birmingham better for Business & Management (General)?
Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £29,500 three years after graduating from Harper Adams University, and £35,000 from University of Birmingham. Student satisfaction with teaching is 77% at Harper Adams University and 79% at University of Birmingham. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Harper Adams University or University of Birmingham offer more courses?
University of Birmingham lists 663 courses on CourseOptions and Harper Adams University lists 103 courses.
What can you study at Harper Adams University but not at University of Birmingham?
Harper Adams University teaches 10 subject areas that University of Birmingham does not, including Agriculture & Land Management, Veterinary Sciences & Nursing, Ecology & Conservation, Agricultural Sciences, Animal Science, Zoology & Animal Biology, Food Science, Business Information Systems and 2 more.
What can you study at University of Birmingham but not at Harper Adams University?
University of Birmingham teaches 90 subject areas that Harper Adams University does not, including History, Health & Social Care, Philosophy, Teacher Training, Civil Engineering, International Development, Physics, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science and 82 more.
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