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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.

L
London Metropolitan University

Islington · QS World #1001

U
University of Birmingham

Birmingham · QS World #68

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 11 datapoints

We looked at 11 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

2/11

London Metropolitan

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

9/11

Birmingham

scored higher in 9 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Birmingham leads in 9 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary, courses). London Metropolitan University is ahead on established, scholarship.

London Metropolitan University vs University of Birmingham at a glance

London Metropolitan University and University of Birmingham both teach 45 subject areas, the largest being Law, Politics & International Relations and Sociology & Criminology. London Metropolitan University offers 291 courses across 61 subject areas; University of Birmingham offers 663 courses across 101 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,500 a year at London Metropolitan University and £27,090 at University of Birmingham: London Metropolitan University is about £7,590 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,000 a year at London Metropolitan University and £23,390 at University of Birmingham: London Metropolitan University is about £3,390 a year cheaper.

Of the 32 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Birmingham is higher in 30 and London Metropolitan University in 2. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £25,500 three years after graduating from London Metropolitan University, against £40,000 from University of Birmingham. Of the 33 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, London Metropolitan University is higher in 17 and University of Birmingham in 15, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#1001
QS World
#68
#601
THE World
#98
#100
Guardian UK
#18
1848
Established
1900
No
Russell Group
Yes
Silver
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

London Metropolitan University

University of Birmingham

85.5%
86.7%

Satisfaction

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

£26,900
£38,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

75.5%
83.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.8%
31.2%

International

International student share

291
663

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

15
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.

London Metropolitan

59 countries · 22.8% international

  • 🇮🇳India36.6%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan18.8%
  • 🌐Nepal11.1%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh8.2%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka2.6%
VS

Birmingham

104 countries · 31.2% international

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

Subjects

45 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.

London Metropolitan University

University of Birmingham

Also taught at both: Mathematics, Music, Psychology (General), Business Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Economics, Management, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Film Production & Cinematography, Social Work, Childhood & Youth Studies, Planning & Housing, Accounting, Applied Psychology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Drama & Theatre, Information Systems & Data Science, Biochemistry, Creative Writing, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Biology, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Adult Nursing, Human Resource Management, Mental Health Nursing, Software Engineering, Computing & IT, Counselling & Psychotherapy.

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

London Metropolitan University
£19,500
University of Birmingham
£27,090

London Metropolitan University is about £7,590 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

London Metropolitan University
£20,000
University of Birmingham
£23,390

London Metropolitan University is about £3,390 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.

London Metropolitan University

University of Birmingham

  • Law

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    90%Satisfaction83%
  • Politics & International Relations

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    83%Satisfaction86%
  • Sociology & Criminology

    £22,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    95%Satisfaction83%
  • Marketing

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£35,000
    75%Satisfaction79%
  • Business & Management (General)

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£35,000
    91%Satisfaction79%
  • Ancient Languages

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    69%Satisfaction91%
  • Computer Science

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£40,000
    72%Satisfaction93%
  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    85%Satisfaction88%
  • Media & Film Studies

    £22,000Salary (3 years)No data
    61%Satisfaction95%
  • Chemistry

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    96%Satisfaction93%
  • Education Studies

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    84%Satisfaction83%
  • Biomedical Sciences

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    74%Satisfaction82%

Showing the 12 largest of 33 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

London Metropolitan University

London Met Sanctuary Scholarship

£13,762

Deadline: Jun 2026

The Vice Chancellor's Postgraduate (PGR) Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

The Vice Chancellor's Postgraduate (PGR) Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

The Vice Chancellor's Postgraduate (PGR) Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Childcare Grant

85%

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

London Metropolitan University vs University of Birmingham: common questions

Is London Metropolitan University or University of Birmingham cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,500 a year at London Metropolitan University and £27,090 at University of Birmingham: London Metropolitan University is about £7,590 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,000 a year at London Metropolitan University and £23,390 at University of Birmingham: London Metropolitan University is about £3,390 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 London Metropolitan University and University of Birmingham?

Both universities teach 45 subject areas: Law, Politics & International Relations, Sociology & Criminology, Health & Social Care, Marketing, Business & Management (General), Ancient Languages, Teacher Training, Computer Science, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Civil Engineering, Media & Film Studies and 33 more.

Is London Metropolitan University or University of Birmingham better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £22,500 three years after graduating from London Metropolitan University, and £27,500 from University of Birmingham. Student satisfaction with teaching is 90% at London Metropolitan University and 83% at University of Birmingham. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does London Metropolitan University or University of Birmingham offer more courses?

University of Birmingham lists 663 courses on CourseOptions and London Metropolitan University lists 291 courses.

What can you study at London Metropolitan University but not at University of Birmingham?

London Metropolitan University teaches 16 subject areas that University of Birmingham does not, including Design & Fashion, Building & Construction, Architecture, Nutrition & Dietetics, Games Design & Computer Animation, Journalism, Fine Art, Applied Computing and 8 more.

What can you study at University of Birmingham but not at London Metropolitan University?

University of Birmingham teaches 56 subject areas that London Metropolitan University does not, including History, Philosophy, Geology & Earth Sciences, International Development, Physics, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, History of Art & Design, Theology & Religious Studies and 48 more.

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