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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
Loughborough University

Loughborough · QS World #203

U
University College Birmingham

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

VS

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.

#203
QS World
—
#301
THE World
—
#11
Guardian UK
—
1909
Established
1957
No
Russell Group
No
Gold
TEF Rating
Silver

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

87.6%
88.3%

Satisfaction

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

£41,200
£25,600

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84%
77.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

18.4%
47%

International

International student share

416
115

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

36
7

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%
VS

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

Also taught at both: Planning & Housing, Health & Social Care, Marketing, Education Studies, Architecture, Public Health & Epidemiology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning.

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)£20,500
    85%Satisfaction96%
  • Computer Science

    £40,500Salary (3 years)No data
    86%Satisfaction87%
  • Design & Fashion

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£18,500
    89%SatisfactionNo data
  • Business Studies

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    88%Satisfaction86%
  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £43,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    82%Satisfaction89%
  • Planning & Housing

    £32,000Salary (3 years)No data
    91%Satisfaction91%

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Loughborough 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

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

View all scholarships →

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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