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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.

N
Newcastle University

Newcastle upon Tyne · QS World #149

U
University of Birmingham

Birmingham · QS World #68

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 10 datapoints

We looked at 10 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

2/10

Newcastle

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

8/10

Birmingham

scored higher in 8 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Birmingham leads in 8 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary, courses). Newcastle University is ahead on established, scholarship.

Newcastle University vs University of Birmingham at a glance

Newcastle University and University of Birmingham both teach 73 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Civil Engineering and History. Newcastle University offers 502 courses across 99 subject areas; University of Birmingham offers 663 courses across 101 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,750 a year at Newcastle University and £27,090 at University of Birmingham: Newcastle University is about £1,340 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Newcastle University and £23,390 at University of Birmingham: University of Birmingham is about £7,310 a year cheaper.

Of the 38 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Birmingham is higher in 22 and Newcastle University in 10, with 6 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £33,000 three years after graduating from Newcastle University, against £40,000 from University of Birmingham. Of the 38 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Birmingham is higher in 22 and Newcastle University in 13, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#149
QS World
#68
#144
THE World
#98
#23
Guardian UK
#18
1834
Established
1900
Yes
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.

Newcastle University

University of Birmingham

84.1%
86.7%

Satisfaction

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

£38,300
£38,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.6%
83.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.1%
31.2%

International

International student share

502
663

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

4
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.

Newcastle

91 countries · 22.1% international

  • 🇨🇳China43.8%
  • 🇮🇳India8.5%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia4.4%
  • 🌐Kuwait3.3%
  • 🌐Cyprus (Non-European Union)3.2%
VS

Birmingham

104 countries · 31.2% international

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

Subjects

73 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.

Newcastle University

University of Birmingham

Also taught at both: Sociology & Criminology, Business Studies, Media & Film Studies, Geology & Earth Sciences, Marketing, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Music, Chemistry, Finance & Actuarial Science, Linguistics, Chemical Engineering, Economics, Psychology (General), Clinical Specialities, Education Studies, Environmental Sciences, French, Ancient Languages, Classical Studies, Geography (General), Public Health & Epidemiology, Dentistry, General Engineering, Archaeology, Human Geography & Environment, Medicine, Theology & Religious Studies, Mechanical Engineering, Planning & Housing, Accounting, Biochemistry, Biological Sciences (General), Creative Writing, Pharmacy, Spanish & Portuguese, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biotechnology, English Studies, Information Systems & Data Science, Social Policy & Public Policy, Statistics, Biology, German & Scandinavian Studies, Management, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Clinical & Health Psychology, English Literature, Genetics & Genomics, Social Sciences (General), Applied Psychology, Computing & IT, Physical Geography & Climate, Anatomy & Pathology, Film Production & Cinematography, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Human Resource Management.

Only at Newcastle 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

Newcastle University
£25,750
University of Birmingham
£27,090

Newcastle University is about £1,340 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Newcastle University
£30,700
University of Birmingham
£23,390

University of Birmingham is about £7,310 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.

Newcastle University

University of Birmingham

  • Politics & International Relations

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    85%Satisfaction86%

  • Civil Engineering

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    88%Satisfaction78%

  • History

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    87%Satisfaction89%

  • Law

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    87%Satisfaction83%

  • Computer Science

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£40,000
    70%Satisfaction93%

  • Physics

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    84%Satisfaction93%

  • Mathematics

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    84%Satisfaction85%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    89%Satisfaction82%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    83%Satisfaction83%

  • Philosophy

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    95%Satisfaction93%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    98%Satisfaction88%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£35,000
    70%Satisfaction79%

Showing the 12 largest of 40 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Newcastle University

Vice-Chancellor's International Scholarships

See details

Deadline: N/A

Newcastle University Sanctuary Scholarships

See details

Deadline: N/A

St Nicholas' Educational Trust Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Vice-Chancellor's Excellence Scholarships

See details

Deadline: N/A

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

Newcastle University vs University of Birmingham: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,750 a year at Newcastle University and £27,090 at University of Birmingham: Newcastle University is about £1,340 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Newcastle University and £23,390 at University of Birmingham: University of Birmingham is about £7,310 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 Newcastle University and University of Birmingham?

Both universities teach 73 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Civil Engineering, History, Law, Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics, Biomedical Sciences, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Philosophy, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Business & Management (General) and 61 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £29,000 three years after graduating from Newcastle University, and £28,000 from University of Birmingham. Student satisfaction with teaching is 85% at Newcastle University and 86% at University of Birmingham. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Newcastle University or University of Birmingham offer more courses?

University of Birmingham lists 663 courses on CourseOptions and Newcastle University lists 502 courses.

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

Newcastle University teaches 26 subject areas that University of Birmingham does not, including Nutrition & Dietetics, Marine Engineering & Technology, Architecture, Community & Specialist Nursing, Information & Library Studies, Agriculture & Land Management, Fine Art, Asian Languages & Studies and 18 more.

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

University of Birmingham teaches 28 subject areas that Newcastle University does not, including Teacher Training, International Development, History of Art & Design, Nursing (General), English Language, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Anthropology, Drama & Theatre and 20 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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Newcastle University502 courses · 4 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of Birmingham663 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses