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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.

K
Keele University

Keele · QS World #801

U
University of Birmingham

Birmingham · QS World #68

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 12 datapoints

We looked at 12 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

3/12

Keele

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

9/12

Birmingham

scored higher in 9 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Birmingham leads in 9 of 12 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Keele University is ahead on TEF, satisfaction, employment.

Keele University vs University of Birmingham at a glance

Keele University and University of Birmingham both teach 63 subject areas, the largest being Law, Politics & International Relations and Business & Management (General). Keele University offers 426 courses across 79 subject areas; University of Birmingham offers 663 courses across 101 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,200 a year at Keele University and £27,090 at University of Birmingham: Keele University is about £8,890 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,200 a year at Keele University and £23,390 at University of Birmingham: Keele University is about £5,190 a year cheaper.

Of the 41 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Birmingham is higher in 38 and Keele University in 3. The widest gap is in Accounting: £23,000 three years after graduating from Keele University, against £37,000 from University of Birmingham. Of the 41 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Keele University is higher in 27 and University of Birmingham in 11, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#801
QS World
#68
#501
THE World
#98
#73
Guardian UK
#18
1949
Established
1900
No
Russell Group
Yes
Gold
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Keele University

University of Birmingham

87.7%
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

83.7%
83.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

8.5%
31.2%

International

International student share

426
663

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

1
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.

Keele

56 countries · 8.5% international

  • 🇮🇳India14.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria12.9%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan9.1%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong7.8%
  • 🇨🇳China4.7%
VS

Birmingham

104 countries · 31.2% international

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

Subjects

63 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.

Keele University

University of Birmingham

Also taught at both: Health & Social Care, Environmental Sciences, Marketing, Mathematics, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Education Studies, Economics, Music, Business Studies, Childhood & Youth Studies, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Finance & Actuarial Science, Geography (General), Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, Pharmacy, Accounting, Management, Medicine, Public Health & Epidemiology, Applied Psychology, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Biology, General Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Social Work, Creative Writing, English Literature, English Studies, Social Policy & Public Policy, Adult Nursing, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Social Sciences (General), Counselling & Psychotherapy, Information Systems & Data Science, Mental Health Nursing, Software Engineering, Eastern European Languages, Human Geography & Environment, Anatomy & Pathology, Biotechnology, Children's Nursing, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Midwifery, Physical Geography & Climate, Human Resource Management.

Only at Keele 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

Keele University
£18,200
University of Birmingham
£27,090

Keele University is about £8,890 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Keele University
£18,200
University of Birmingham
£23,390

Keele University is about £5,190 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.

Keele University

University of Birmingham

  • Law

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    83%Satisfaction83%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £22,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    93%Satisfaction86%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£35,000
    75%Satisfaction79%

  • Chemistry

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    96%Satisfaction93%

  • Computer Science

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£40,000
    76%Satisfaction93%

  • History

    £22,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    92%Satisfaction89%

  • Psychology (General)

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    82%Satisfaction90%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £21,000Salary (3 years)No data
    93%Satisfaction95%

  • Philosophy

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    92%Satisfaction93%

  • Physics

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    96%Satisfaction93%

  • Geology & Earth Sciences

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    93%Satisfaction91%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    86%Satisfaction83%

Showing the 12 largest of 42 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Keele University

Postgraduate Global Scholarship (international) 2026

£5,000

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

Keele University vs University of Birmingham: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,200 a year at Keele University and £27,090 at University of Birmingham: Keele University is about £8,890 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,200 a year at Keele University and £23,390 at University of Birmingham: Keele University is about £5,190 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 Keele University and University of Birmingham?

Both universities teach 63 subject areas: Law, Politics & International Relations, Business & Management (General), Chemistry, Computer Science, History, Psychology (General), Media & Film Studies, Civil Engineering, Philosophy, Physics, Geology & Earth Sciences and 51 more.

Is Keele University or University of Birmingham better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £22,500 three years after graduating from Keele University, and £27,500 from University of Birmingham. Student satisfaction with teaching is 83% at Keele University and 83% at University of Birmingham. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Keele University or University of Birmingham offer more courses?

University of Birmingham lists 663 courses on CourseOptions and Keele University lists 426 courses.

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

Keele University teaches 16 subject areas that University of Birmingham does not, including Forensic Science, Animal Science, Ecology & Conservation, Pharmacology, Zoology & Animal Biology, Biomedical Engineering, Games Design & Computer Animation, Medical Imaging and 8 more.

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

University of Birmingham teaches 38 subject areas that Keele University does not, including Teacher Training, International Development, Ancient Languages, History of Art & Design, Theology & Religious Studies, Classical Studies, French, Nursing (General) and 30 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

K
Keele University426 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses
U
University of Birmingham663 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses