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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 South Bank University

London · QS World #901

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.

1/11

London South Bank

scored higher in 1 category

VS

10/11

Birmingham

scored higher in 10 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Birmingham leads in 10 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). London South Bank University is ahead on established.

London South Bank University vs University of Birmingham at a glance

London South Bank University and University of Birmingham both teach 43 subject areas, the largest being Law, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science and Sport & Exercise Sciences. London South Bank University offers 240 courses across 55 subject areas; University of Birmingham offers 663 courses across 101 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,400 a year at London South Bank University and £27,090 at University of Birmingham: London South Bank University is about £9,690 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,900 a year at London South Bank University and £23,390 at University of Birmingham: London South Bank University is about £4,490 a year cheaper.

Of the 27 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Birmingham is higher in 20 and London South Bank University in 7. The widest gap is in Accounting: £24,500 three years after graduating from London South Bank University, against £37,000 from University of Birmingham. Of the 27 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, London South Bank University is higher in 18 and University of Birmingham in 9.

World & National Rankings

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

#901
QS World
#68
#601
THE World
#98
#78
Guardian UK
#18
1892
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 South Bank University

University of Birmingham

85.1%
86.7%

Satisfaction

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

£33,900
£38,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.1%
83.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

15.6%
31.2%

International

International student share

240
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.

London South Bank

60 countries · 15.6% international

  • 🇵🇰Pakistan26.1%
  • 🇮🇳India19.1%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh18.1%
  • 🌐Nepal4.9%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria3.3%
VS

Birmingham

104 countries · 31.2% international

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

Subjects

43 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 of Birmingham

Also taught at both: General Engineering, Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering, Children's Nursing, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Planning & Housing, Psychology (General), Accounting, Adult Nursing, Childhood & Youth Studies, Mental Health Nursing, Nursing (General), Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Clinical & Health Psychology, Media & Film Studies, Social Work, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Dentistry, Food Production & Technology, Management, Clinical Specialities, Drama & Theatre, Social Sciences (General), Applied Psychology, Computing & IT, Midwifery, Film Production & Cinematography.

Only at London South Bank 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

London South Bank University
£17,400
University of Birmingham
£27,090

London South Bank University is about £9,690 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

London South Bank University
£18,900
University of Birmingham
£23,390

London South Bank 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.

London South Bank University

University of Birmingham

  • Law

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    89%Satisfaction83%

  • Health Sciences & Paramedic Science

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£31,500
    93%SatisfactionNo data

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    91%Satisfaction88%

  • Civil Engineering

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    83%Satisfaction78%

  • Business Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£35,000
    93%Satisfaction77%

  • Computer Science

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£40,000
    90%Satisfaction93%

  • Marketing

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£35,000
    77%Satisfaction79%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£34,500
    75%Satisfaction86%

  • Education Studies

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    85%Satisfaction83%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    89%Satisfaction83%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    73%Satisfaction82%

  • Economics

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£34,500
    91%Satisfaction85%

Showing the 12 largest of 28 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

London South Bank 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

London South Bank University vs University of Birmingham: common questions

Is London South Bank University or University of Birmingham cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,400 a year at London South Bank University and £27,090 at University of Birmingham: London South Bank University is about £9,690 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,900 a year at London South Bank University and £23,390 at University of Birmingham: London South Bank 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 London South Bank University and University of Birmingham?

Both universities teach 43 subject areas: Law, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Civil Engineering, Business Studies, Health & Social Care, Business & Management (General), Computer Science, Marketing, Physics, Chemical Engineering, Education Studies and 31 more.

Is London South Bank University or University of Birmingham better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £22,500 three years after graduating from London South Bank University, and £27,500 from University of Birmingham. Student satisfaction with teaching is 89% at London South Bank University and 83% at University of Birmingham. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does London South Bank University or University of Birmingham offer more courses?

University of Birmingham lists 663 courses on CourseOptions and London South Bank University lists 240 courses.

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

London South Bank University teaches 12 subject areas that University of Birmingham does not, including Building & Construction, Architecture, Medical Imaging, Design & Fashion, Complementary & Alternative Medicine, Specialist Clinical Nursing, Creative Arts (General), Forensic Science and 4 more.

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

University of Birmingham teaches 58 subject areas that London South Bank University does not, including Politics & International Relations, History, Philosophy, Teacher Training, Geology & Earth Sciences, International Development, Music, Ancient Languages and 50 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

L
London South Bank University240 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Birmingham663 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses