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 #901
Birmingham
Head-to-Head Summary
Based on 7 datapoints
We looked at 7 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.
4/7
London South Bank
scored higher in 4 categories
3/7
University College Birmingham
scored higher in 3 categories
Quick Verdict
London South Bank University leads in 4 of 7 categories where both have data (established, employment, graduate salary, courses). University College Birmingham is ahead on satisfaction, international, scholarship.
London South Bank University vs University College Birmingham at a glance
London South Bank University and University College Birmingham both teach 26 subject areas, the largest being Building & Construction, Business Studies and Sport & Exercise Sciences. London South Bank University offers 240 courses across 55 subject areas; University College Birmingham offers 115 courses across 36 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,400 a year at London South Bank University and £13,500 at University College Birmingham: University College Birmingham is about £3,900 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,900 a year at London South Bank 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, London South Bank University is higher in 6 and University College Birmingham in 1. The widest gap is in Design & Fashion: £24,000 three years after graduating from London South Bank University, against £18,500 from University College Birmingham. Of the 14 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University College Birmingham is higher in 9 and London South Bank University in 5.
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.
London South Bank 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.
London South Bank
60 countries · 15.6% international
- 🇵🇰Pakistan26.1%
- 🇮🇳India19.1%
- 🇧🇩Bangladesh18.1%
- 🌐Nepal4.9%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria3.3%
University College Birmingham
26 countries · 47% international
- 🌐Nepal48.9%
- 🇮🇳India24.7%
- 🇨🇳China11.5%
- 🇧🇩Bangladesh3.8%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan3.3%
Subjects
26 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 South Bank University
University College Birmingham
Building & Construction
19 coursesTypical fee £17,400 (UG)
7 coursesTypical fee £17,000 (PG)
Business Studies
11 coursesTypical fee £29,370 (UG)
5 coursesTypical fee £13,500 (UG)
Sport & Exercise Sciences
Computer Science
Mechanical Engineering
Adult Nursing
Mental Health Nursing
Planning & Housing
Architecture
Childhood & Youth Studies
Civil Engineering
Food Production & Technology
Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation
Clinical & Health Psychology
Finance & Actuarial Science
Also taught at both: Food Science, Health & Social Care, Marketing, Sociology & Criminology, Business & Management (General), Design & Fashion, Education Studies, Psychology (General), Complementary & Alternative Medicine, Creative Arts (General), Applied Psychology.
Only at London South Bank University
Only at University College Birmingham
- Hospitality, Events & Tourism · 15
- Crafts & Applied Arts · 3
- Developmental & Educational Psychology · 2
- Software Engineering · 2
- Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning · 1
- Business Information Systems · 1
- Manufacturing & Production Engineering · 1
- Nutrition & Dietetics · 1
- Politics & International Relations · 1
- Public Health & Epidemiology · 1
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 South Bank University
- £17,400
- University College Birmingham
- £13,500
University College Birmingham is about £3,900 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- London South Bank 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.
London South Bank University
University College Birmingham
Building & Construction
£51,000Salary (3 years)No data76%Satisfaction91%Business Studies
£24,000Salary (3 years)£21,00093%Satisfaction86%Sport & Exercise Sciences
£21,500Salary (3 years)£20,50091%Satisfaction96%Computer Science
£28,000Salary (3 years)No data90%Satisfaction87%Adult Nursing
£33,000Salary (3 years)No data89%Satisfaction91%Mental Health Nursing
£40,500Salary (3 years)No data94%Satisfaction91%Planning & Housing
£28,000Salary (3 years)No data90%Satisfaction91%Architecture
£22,500Salary (3 years)No data88%Satisfaction91%Food Production & Technology
£18,500Salary (3 years)£20,00092%Satisfaction78%Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation
£30,500Salary (3 years)No data78%Satisfaction88%Finance & Actuarial Science
£25,000Salary (3 years)£20,00086%Satisfaction89%Marketing
£24,000Salary (3 years)£20,00077%Satisfaction85%
Showing the 12 largest of 15 shared subjects with published outcomes.
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveLondon South Bank 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
London South Bank University vs University College Birmingham: common questions
Is London South Bank University or University College Birmingham cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,400 a year at London South Bank University and £13,500 at University College Birmingham: University College Birmingham is about £3,900 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,900 a year at London South Bank 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 London South Bank University and University College Birmingham?
Both universities teach 26 subject areas: Building & Construction, Business Studies, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Adult Nursing, Mental Health Nursing, Planning & Housing, Architecture, Childhood & Youth Studies, Civil Engineering, Food Production & Technology and 14 more.
Is London South Bank University or University College Birmingham better for Business Studies?
Business Studies graduates earn a median £24,000 three years after graduating from London South Bank University, and £21,000 from University College Birmingham. Student satisfaction with teaching is 93% at London South Bank University and 86% at University College Birmingham. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does London South Bank University or University College Birmingham offer more courses?
London South Bank University lists 240 courses on CourseOptions and University College Birmingham lists 115 courses.
What can you study at London South Bank University but not at University College Birmingham?
London South Bank University teaches 29 subject areas that University College Birmingham does not, including Children's Nursing, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Law, Chemical Engineering, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, General Engineering, Accounting and 21 more.
What can you study at University College Birmingham but not at London South Bank University?
University College Birmingham teaches 10 subject areas that London South Bank University does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Crafts & Applied Arts, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Business Information Systems, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Nutrition & Dietetics and 2 more.
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Browse available courses, check entry requirements, and find scholarships at each university.