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.
London · QS World #686
Birmingham
Head-to-Head Summary
Based on 8 datapoints
We looked at 8 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.
5/8
Kingston
scored higher in 5 categories
3/8
University College Birmingham
scored higher in 3 categories
Quick Verdict
Kingston University leads in 5 of 8 categories where both have data (TEF, established, employment, graduate salary, courses). University College Birmingham is ahead on satisfaction, international, scholarship.
Kingston University vs University College Birmingham at a glance
Kingston University and University College Birmingham both teach 24 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Building & Construction and Design & Fashion. Kingston University offers 390 courses across 67 subject areas; University College Birmingham offers 115 courses across 36 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Kingston University and £13,500 at University College Birmingham: University College Birmingham is about £5,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,900 a year at Kingston University and £17,000 at University College Birmingham: University College Birmingham is about £1,900 a year cheaper.
Of the 7 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Kingston University is higher in 7 and University College Birmingham in 0. The widest gap is in Marketing: £27,500 three years after graduating from Kingston University, against £20,000 from University College Birmingham. Of the 11 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University College Birmingham is higher in 11 and Kingston University in 0.
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.
Kingston University
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.
Kingston
91 countries · 21.9% international
- 🇮🇳India24.1%
- 🇨🇳China23.8%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria3.5%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan3.2%
- 🇺🇸United States3.2%
University College Birmingham
26 countries · 47% international
- 🌐Nepal48.9%
- 🇮🇳India24.7%
- 🇨🇳China11.5%
- 🇧🇩Bangladesh3.8%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan3.3%
Subjects
24 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.
Kingston University
University College Birmingham
Business & Management (General)
34 coursesTypical fee £18,900 (PG)
4 coursesTypical fee £13,500 (UG)
Building & Construction
19 coursesTypical fee £19,200 (UG)
7 coursesTypical fee £17,000 (PG)
Design & Fashion
21 coursesTypical fee £13,950 (PG)
2 coursesFee not available
Childhood & Youth Studies
11 coursesTypical fee £19,200 (PG)
4 coursesTypical fee £13,500 (UG)
Sport & Exercise Sciences
Mechanical Engineering
11 coursesTypical fee £18,500 (UG)
2 coursesFee not available
Applied Psychology
10 coursesTypical fee £18,700 (PG)
2 coursesFee not available
Business Studies
Psychology (General)
Civil Engineering
Sociology & Criminology
Computer Science
Education Studies
Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
Finance & Actuarial Science
Also taught at both: Marketing, Architecture, Creative Arts (General), Adult Nursing, Health & Social Care, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Mental Health Nursing, Nutrition & Dietetics, Software Engineering.
Only at Kingston University
Only at University College Birmingham
- Hospitality, Events & Tourism · 15
- Food Science · 6
- Food Production & Technology · 4
- Planning & Housing · 4
- Crafts & Applied Arts · 3
- Clinical & Health Psychology · 2
- Complementary & Alternative Medicine · 2
- Developmental & Educational Psychology · 2
- Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation · 2
- Business Information Systems · 1
- and 2 more
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
- Kingston University
- £18,500
- University College Birmingham
- £13,500
University College Birmingham is about £5,000 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Kingston University
- £18,900
- University College Birmingham
- £17,000
University College Birmingham is about £1,900 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.
Kingston University
University College Birmingham
Business & Management (General)
£25,500Salary (3 years)£20,00081%Satisfaction93%Building & Construction
£27,500Salary (3 years)No data86%Satisfaction91%Design & Fashion
£24,000Salary (3 years)£18,50089%SatisfactionNo dataSport & Exercise Sciences
£24,000Salary (3 years)£20,50087%Satisfaction96%Business Studies
£25,500Salary (3 years)£21,00071%Satisfaction86%Computer Science
£24,500Salary (3 years)No data83%Satisfaction87%Education Studies
£22,500Salary (3 years)£17,00090%Satisfaction98%Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
£28,000Salary (3 years)No data82%Satisfaction86%Marketing
£27,500Salary (3 years)£20,00083%Satisfaction85%Architecture
£22,500Salary (3 years)No data84%Satisfaction91%Creative Arts (General)
£22,500Salary (3 years)£18,50088%SatisfactionNo dataAdult Nursing
£34,500Salary (3 years)No data82%Satisfaction91%
Showing the 12 largest of 13 shared subjects with published outcomes.
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveKingston University
View all scholarships →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
Kingston University vs University College Birmingham: common questions
Is Kingston University or University College Birmingham cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Kingston University and £13,500 at University College Birmingham: University College Birmingham is about £5,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,900 a year at Kingston University and £17,000 at University College Birmingham: University College Birmingham is about £1,900 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 Kingston University and University College Birmingham?
Both universities teach 24 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Building & Construction, Design & Fashion, Childhood & Youth Studies, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Mechanical Engineering, Applied Psychology, Business Studies, Psychology (General), Civil Engineering, Sociology & Criminology, Computer Science and 12 more.
Is Kingston University or University College Birmingham better for Business & Management (General)?
Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £25,500 three years after graduating from Kingston University, and £20,000 from University College Birmingham. Student satisfaction with teaching is 81% at Kingston University and 93% at University College Birmingham. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Kingston University or University College Birmingham offer more courses?
Kingston University lists 390 courses on CourseOptions and University College Birmingham lists 115 courses.
What can you study at Kingston University but not at University College Birmingham?
Kingston University teaches 43 subject areas that University College Birmingham does not, including Aerospace Engineering, Chemistry, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Law, Economics, Midwifery, Biomedical Sciences, Environmental Sciences and 35 more.
What can you study at University College Birmingham but not at Kingston University?
University College Birmingham teaches 12 subject areas that Kingston University does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Food Science, Food Production & Technology, Planning & Housing, Crafts & Applied Arts, Clinical & Health Psychology, Complementary & Alternative Medicine, Developmental & Educational Psychology and 4 more.
Ready to explore courses?
Browse available courses, check entry requirements, and find scholarships at each university.