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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 of Birmingham

Birmingham · QS World #68

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 12 datapoints

We looked at 12 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

6/12

Loughborough

scored higher in 6 categories

VS

6/12

Birmingham

scored higher in 6 categories

Quick Verdict

Loughborough University and University of Birmingham are evenly matched: each leads in 6 of 12 categories where both have data. Loughborough University is ahead on ranking, TEF, satisfaction, employment, graduate salary, scholarship; University of Birmingham on ranking, Russell Group, established, international, courses.

Loughborough University vs University of Birmingham at a glance

Loughborough University and University of Birmingham both teach 51 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Physics and Sport & Exercise Sciences. Loughborough University offers 416 courses across 63 subject areas; University of Birmingham offers 663 courses across 101 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,750 a year at Loughborough University and £27,090 at University of Birmingham: University of Birmingham is about £2,660 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,500 a year at Loughborough University and £23,390 at University of Birmingham: University of Birmingham is about £6,110 a year cheaper.

Of the 27 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Loughborough University is higher in 21 and University of Birmingham in 2, with 4 about level. The widest gap is in Finance & Actuarial Science: £43,000 three years after graduating from Loughborough University, against £35,000 from University of Birmingham. Of the 21 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Loughborough University is higher in 13 and University of Birmingham in 6, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#203
QS World
#68
#301
THE World
#98
#11
Guardian UK
#18
1909
Established
1900
No
Russell Group
Yes
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 of Birmingham

87.6%
86.7%

Satisfaction

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

£41,200
£38,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84%
83.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

18.4%
31.2%

International

International student share

416
663

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

36
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.

Loughborough

90 countries · 18.4% international

  • 🇨🇳China24.7%
  • 🇮🇳India13.2%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.6%
  • 🇦🇪United Arab Emirates3.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria3.4%
VS

Birmingham

104 countries · 31.2% international

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

Subjects

51 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 of Birmingham

Also taught at both: Sociology & Criminology, Media & Film Studies, Business Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Psychology (General), Economics, General Engineering, English Studies, Marketing, Materials Engineering, Physical Geography & Climate, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Ancient Languages, Education Studies, Childhood & Youth Studies, Mechanical Engineering, Planning & Housing, Geography (General), Accounting, Aerospace Engineering, Public Health & Epidemiology, Biology, Natural Sciences, Social Policy & Public Policy, Human Geography & Environment, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Clinical Specialities, Social Sciences (General), English Literature, Materials Science, Biotechnology, Computing & IT, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Film Production & Cinematography, Human Resource Management.

Only at Loughborough 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

Loughborough University
£29,750
University of Birmingham
£27,090

University of Birmingham is about £2,660 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Loughborough University
£29,500
University of Birmingham
£23,390

University of Birmingham is about £6,110 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 of Birmingham

  • Politics & International Relations

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    No dataSatisfaction86%

  • Physics

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    96%Satisfaction93%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    85%Satisfaction88%

  • Computer Science

    £40,500Salary (3 years)£40,000
    86%Satisfaction93%

  • Mathematics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    85%Satisfaction85%

  • Civil Engineering

    £34,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    87%Satisfaction78%

  • History

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    No dataSatisfaction89%

  • Chemistry

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    85%Satisfaction93%

  • Manufacturing & Production Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    88%Satisfaction70%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£34,500
    95%Satisfaction86%

  • Management

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£35,000
    No dataSatisfaction84%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    88%Satisfaction83%

Showing the 12 largest of 27 shared subjects with published outcomes.

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 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

Loughborough University vs University of Birmingham: common questions

Is Loughborough University or University of Birmingham cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,750 a year at Loughborough University and £27,090 at University of Birmingham: University of Birmingham is about £2,660 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,500 a year at Loughborough University and £23,390 at University of Birmingham: University of Birmingham is about £6,110 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 of Birmingham?

Both universities teach 51 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Physics, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Computer Science, Mathematics, Civil Engineering, History, Law, Chemistry, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Business & Management (General), Chemical Engineering and 39 more.

Is Loughborough University or University of Birmingham better for Politics & International Relations?

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £30,500 three years after graduating from Loughborough University, and £28,000 from University of Birmingham. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Loughborough University or University of Birmingham offer more courses?

University of Birmingham lists 663 courses on CourseOptions and Loughborough University lists 416 courses.

What can you study at Loughborough University but not at University of Birmingham?

Loughborough University teaches 12 subject areas that University of Birmingham does not, including Design & Fashion, Biomedical Engineering, Building & Construction, Information & Library Studies, Applied Biology & Human Biology, Architecture, Fine Art, Personal & Professional Development and 4 more.

What can you study at University of Birmingham but not at Loughborough University?

University of Birmingham teaches 50 subject areas that Loughborough University does not, including Philosophy, Teacher Training, International Development, Music, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Biomedical Sciences, History of Art & Design, Theology & Religious Studies and 42 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

L
Loughborough University416 courses · 36 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Birmingham663 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses