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.
Leeds
Birmingham · QS World #68
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.
1/8
Leeds Arts
scored higher in 1 category
7/8
Birmingham
scored higher in 7 categories
Quick Verdict
University of Birmingham leads in 7 of 8 categories where both have data (Russell Group, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Leeds Arts University is ahead on established.
Leeds Arts University vs University of Birmingham at a glance
Leeds Arts University and University of Birmingham both teach 6 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Music and Marketing. Leeds Arts University offers 56 courses across 11 subject areas; University of Birmingham offers 663 courses across 101 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,000 a year at Leeds Arts University and £27,090 at University of Birmingham: Leeds Arts University is about £9,090 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,300 a year at Leeds Arts University and £23,390 at University of Birmingham: Leeds Arts University is about £5,090 a year cheaper.
Of the 2 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Birmingham is higher in 2 and Leeds Arts University in 0. The widest gap is in Music: £19,500 three years after graduating from Leeds Arts University, against £23,000 from University of Birmingham. Of the 3 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Birmingham is higher in 2 and Leeds Arts University in 1.
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.
Leeds Arts 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.
Leeds Arts
17 countries · 7.4% international
- 🇮🇳India12.5%
- 🇺🇸United States12.5%
- 🇭🇰Hong Kong9.4%
- 🇨🇳China6.2%
- 🇦🇪United Arab Emirates6.2%
Birmingham
104 countries · 31.2% international
- 🇨🇳China55.7%
- 🇮🇳India9.4%
- 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.2%
- 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.8%
- 🇲🇾Malaysia2%
Subjects
6 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.
Leeds Arts University
University of Birmingham
Business & Management (General)
2 coursesTypical fee £18,000 (UG)
15 coursesFee not available
Music
4 coursesTypical fee £18,450 (UG)
12 coursesTypical fee £23,390 (PG)
Marketing
2 coursesTypical fee £18,000 (UG)
13 coursesTypical fee £24,340 (UG)
Film Production & Cinematography
10 coursesTypical fee £18,000 (UG)
1 courseTypical fee £11,250 (PG)
Creative Writing
Drama & Theatre
Only at Leeds Arts 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
- Leeds Arts University
- £18,000
- University of Birmingham
- £27,090
Leeds Arts University is about £9,090 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Leeds Arts University
- £18,300
- University of Birmingham
- £23,390
Leeds Arts University is about £5,090 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.
Leeds Arts University
University of Birmingham
Music
£19,500Salary (3 years)£23,00065%Satisfaction89%Creative Writing
No dataSalary (3 years)£24,000100%Satisfaction88%Drama & Theatre
£19,500Salary (3 years)£22,50065%Satisfaction91%
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveLeeds Arts 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
FAQ
Leeds Arts University vs University of Birmingham: common questions
Is Leeds Arts University or University of Birmingham cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,000 a year at Leeds Arts University and £27,090 at University of Birmingham: Leeds Arts University is about £9,090 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,300 a year at Leeds Arts University and £23,390 at University of Birmingham: Leeds Arts University is about £5,090 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 Leeds Arts University and University of Birmingham?
Both universities teach 6 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Music, Marketing, Film Production & Cinematography, Creative Writing and Drama & Theatre.
Is Leeds Arts University or University of Birmingham better for Music?
Music graduates earn a median £19,500 three years after graduating from Leeds Arts University, and £23,000 from University of Birmingham. Student satisfaction with teaching is 65% at Leeds Arts University and 89% at University of Birmingham. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Leeds Arts University or University of Birmingham offer more courses?
University of Birmingham lists 663 courses on CourseOptions and Leeds Arts University lists 56 courses.
What can you study at Leeds Arts University but not at University of Birmingham?
Leeds Arts University teaches 5 subject areas that University of Birmingham does not, including Design & Fashion, Creative Arts (General), Fine Art, Applied Computing and Crafts & Applied Arts.
What can you study at University of Birmingham but not at Leeds Arts University?
University of Birmingham teaches 95 subject areas that Leeds Arts University does not, including Politics & International Relations, Law, History, Health & Social Care, Philosophy, Teacher Training, Civil Engineering, Geology & Earth Sciences and 87 more.
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