Skip to main content

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
Kingston University

London · QS World #686

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.

2/12

Kingston

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

10/12

Birmingham

scored higher in 10 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Birmingham leads in 10 of 12 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Kingston University is ahead on TEF, established.

Kingston University vs University of Birmingham at a glance

Kingston University and University of Birmingham both teach 51 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Law and Civil Engineering. Kingston University offers 390 courses across 67 subject areas; University of Birmingham offers 663 courses across 101 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Kingston University and £27,090 at University of Birmingham: Kingston University is about £8,590 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,900 a year at Kingston University and £23,390 at University of Birmingham: Kingston University is about £4,490 a year cheaper.

Of the 33 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Birmingham is higher in 23 and Kingston University in 9, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £24,500 three years after graduating from Kingston University, against £40,000 from University of Birmingham. Of the 34 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Kingston University is higher in 23 and University of Birmingham in 10, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#686
QS World
#68
#801
THE World
#98
#67
Guardian UK
#18
1899
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.

Kingston University

University of Birmingham

85.4%
86.7%

Satisfaction

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

£31,900
£38,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

78.9%
83.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

21.9%
31.2%

International

International student share

390
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.

Kingston

91 countries · 21.9% international

  • 🇮🇳India24.1%
  • 🇨🇳China23.8%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria3.5%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan3.2%
  • 🇺🇸United States3.2%
VS

Birmingham

104 countries · 31.2% international

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

Subjects

51 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 of Birmingham

Also taught at both: Sociology & Criminology, Biomedical Sciences, Business Studies, Computer Science, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Mechanical Engineering, Media & Film Studies, Applied Psychology, Finance & Actuarial Science, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Geography (General), Nursing (General), Creative Writing, Social Work, Accounting, Chemical Engineering, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Midwifery, Biochemistry, General Engineering, Pharmacy, Adult Nursing, Biological Sciences (General), Information Systems & Data Science, Management, Drama & Theatre, Film Production & Cinematography, Mental Health Nursing, Children's Nursing, Clinical Specialities, Computing & IT, Human Geography & Environment, Human Resource Management, Software Engineering.

Only at Kingston 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

Kingston University
£18,500
University of Birmingham
£27,090

Kingston University is about £8,590 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Kingston University
£18,900
University of Birmingham
£23,390

Kingston University is about £4,490 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 of Birmingham

  • Business & Management (General)

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£35,000
    81%Satisfaction79%

  • Law

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    92%Satisfaction83%

  • Civil Engineering

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    94%Satisfaction78%

  • Aerospace Engineering

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    86%Satisfaction78%

  • Chemistry

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    81%Satisfaction93%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    87%Satisfaction88%

  • Geology & Earth Sciences

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    94%Satisfaction91%

  • Marketing

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£35,000
    83%Satisfaction79%

  • Economics

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£34,500
    78%Satisfaction85%

  • Education Studies

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    90%Satisfaction83%

  • Music

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    98%Satisfaction89%

  • Psychology (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    80%Satisfaction90%

Showing the 12 largest of 34 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Kingston 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

Kingston University vs University of Birmingham: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Kingston University and £27,090 at University of Birmingham: Kingston University is about £8,590 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,900 a year at Kingston University and £23,390 at University of Birmingham: Kingston University is about £4,490 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 of Birmingham?

Both universities teach 51 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Law, Civil Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Chemistry, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Teacher Training, Geology & Earth Sciences, Health & Social Care, Marketing, Childhood & Youth Studies, Economics and 39 more.

Is Kingston University or University of Birmingham better for Business & Management (General)?

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £25,500 three years after graduating from Kingston University, and £35,000 from University of Birmingham. Student satisfaction with teaching is 81% at Kingston University and 79% at University of Birmingham. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Kingston University or University of Birmingham offer more courses?

University of Birmingham lists 663 courses on CourseOptions and Kingston University lists 390 courses.

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

Kingston University teaches 16 subject areas that University of Birmingham does not, including Design & Fashion, Building & Construction, Architecture, Games Design & Computer Animation, Creative Arts (General), Forensic Science, Learning Disabilities Nursing, Pharmacology and 8 more.

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

University of Birmingham teaches 50 subject areas that Kingston University does not, including Politics & International Relations, History, Philosophy, International Development, Physics, Ancient Languages, Mathematics, Microbiology & Cell Biology and 42 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

K
Kingston University390 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Birmingham663 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses