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.
Loughborough · QS World #203
Birmingham
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.
6/8
Loughborough
scored higher in 6 categories
2/8
University College Birmingham
scored higher in 2 categories
Quick Verdict
Loughborough University leads in 6 of 8 categories where both have data (TEF, established, employment, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University College Birmingham is ahead on satisfaction, international.
Loughborough University vs University College Birmingham at a glance
Loughborough University and University College Birmingham both teach 22 subject areas, the largest being Sport & Exercise Sciences, Computer Science and Design & Fashion. Loughborough University offers 416 courses across 63 subject areas; University College Birmingham offers 115 courses across 36 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,750 a year at Loughborough University and £13,500 at University College Birmingham: University College Birmingham is about £16,250 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,500 a year at Loughborough University and £17,000 at University College Birmingham: University College Birmingham is about £12,500 a year cheaper.
Of the 4 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Loughborough University is higher in 4 and University College Birmingham in 0. The widest gap is in Finance & Actuarial Science: £43,000 three years after graduating from Loughborough University, against £20,000 from University College Birmingham. Of the 5 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University College Birmingham is higher in 3 and Loughborough University in 1, with 1 about level.
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.
Loughborough 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.
Loughborough
90 countries · 18.4% international
- 🇨🇳China24.7%
- 🇮🇳India13.2%
- 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.6%
- 🇦🇪United Arab Emirates3.7%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria3.4%
University College Birmingham
26 countries · 47% international
- 🌐Nepal48.9%
- 🇮🇳India24.7%
- 🇨🇳China11.5%
- 🇧🇩Bangladesh3.8%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan3.3%
Subjects
22 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.
Loughborough University
University College Birmingham
Sport & Exercise Sciences
20 coursesTypical fee £29,750 (UG)
8 coursesTypical fee £13,500 (UG)
Computer Science
25 coursesTypical fee £29,750 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £13,500 (UG)
Design & Fashion
20 coursesTypical fee £23,950 (UG)
2 coursesFee not available
Manufacturing & Production Engineering
17 coursesTypical fee £29,750 (UG)
1 courseTypical fee £16,000 (UG)
Hospitality, Events & Tourism
2 coursesTypical fee £29,500 (PG)
15 coursesTypical fee £13,500 (UG)
Civil Engineering
14 coursesTypical fee £29,750 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £13,500 (UG)
Politics & International Relations
14 coursesTypical fee £23,950 (UG)
1 courseTypical fee £17,000 (PG)
Business Studies
Building & Construction
Finance & Actuarial Science
Psychology (General)
Sociology & Criminology
Business & Management (General)
Childhood & Youth Studies
Mechanical Engineering
Also taught at both: Planning & Housing, Health & Social Care, Marketing, Education Studies, Architecture, Public Health & Epidemiology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning.
Only at Loughborough University
Only at University College 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
- Loughborough University
- £29,750
- University College Birmingham
- £13,500
University College Birmingham is about £16,250 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Loughborough University
- £29,500
- University College Birmingham
- £17,000
University College Birmingham is about £12,500 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.
Loughborough University
University College Birmingham
Sport & Exercise Sciences
£26,500Salary (3 years)£20,50085%Satisfaction96%Computer Science
£40,500Salary (3 years)No data86%Satisfaction87%Design & Fashion
£27,500Salary (3 years)£18,50089%SatisfactionNo dataBusiness Studies
£36,000Salary (3 years)£21,00088%Satisfaction86%Finance & Actuarial Science
£43,000Salary (3 years)£20,00082%Satisfaction89%Planning & Housing
£32,000Salary (3 years)No data91%Satisfaction91%
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveLoughborough University
Schlumberger Foundation Faculty for the Future Fellowships
£50,000
Deadline: N/A
Care Leaver's Scholarship
100%
Deadline: N/A
Commonwealth Scholarships
100%
Deadline: N/A
Global Impact Scholarship
100%
Deadline: N/A
Inspiring Success Scholarship
100%
Deadline: Jul 2026
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
Loughborough University vs University College Birmingham: common questions
Is Loughborough University or University College Birmingham cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,750 a year at Loughborough University and £13,500 at University College Birmingham: University College Birmingham is about £16,250 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,500 a year at Loughborough University and £17,000 at University College Birmingham: University College Birmingham is about £12,500 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 Loughborough University and University College Birmingham?
Both universities teach 22 subject areas: Sport & Exercise Sciences, Computer Science, Design & Fashion, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Civil Engineering, Politics & International Relations, Business Studies, Building & Construction, Finance & Actuarial Science, Psychology (General), Sociology & Criminology and 10 more.
Is Loughborough University or University College Birmingham better for Sport & Exercise Sciences?
Sport & Exercise Sciences graduates earn a median £26,500 three years after graduating from Loughborough University, and £20,500 from University College Birmingham. Student satisfaction with teaching is 85% at Loughborough University and 96% at University College Birmingham. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Loughborough University or University College Birmingham offer more courses?
Loughborough University lists 416 courses on CourseOptions and University College Birmingham lists 115 courses.
What can you study at Loughborough University but not at University College Birmingham?
Loughborough University teaches 41 subject areas that University College Birmingham does not, including Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry, Management, Materials Engineering, Physical Geography & Climate, Chemical Engineering, English Studies and 33 more.
What can you study at University College Birmingham but not at Loughborough University?
University College Birmingham teaches 14 subject areas that Loughborough University does not, including Food Science, Food Production & Technology, Crafts & Applied Arts, Adult Nursing, Applied Psychology, Clinical & Health Psychology, Complementary & Alternative Medicine, Creative Arts (General) and 6 more.
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