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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
Northumbria University, Newcastle

Newcastle upon Tyne · QS World #528

U
University College Birmingham

Birmingham

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 6 datapoints

We looked at 6 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

3/6

Northumbria

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

3/6

University College Birmingham

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

Northumbria University, Newcastle and University College Birmingham are evenly matched: each leads in 3 of 6 categories where both have data. Northumbria University, Newcastle is ahead on employment, graduate salary, courses; University College Birmingham on established, satisfaction, international.

Northumbria University, Newcastle vs University College Birmingham at a glance

Northumbria University, Newcastle and University College Birmingham both teach 27 subject areas, the largest being Business Studies, Computer Science and Design & Fashion. Northumbria University, Newcastle offers 305 courses across 71 subject areas; University College Birmingham offers 115 courses across 36 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,850 a year at Northumbria University, Newcastle and £13,500 at University College Birmingham: University College Birmingham is about £6,350 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,850 a year at Northumbria University, Newcastle and £17,000 at University College Birmingham: University College Birmingham is about £2,850 a year cheaper.

Of the 7 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Northumbria University, Newcastle is higher in 7 and University College Birmingham in 0. The widest gap is in Hospitality, Events & Tourism: £26,000 three years after graduating from Northumbria University, Newcastle, against £20,000 from University College Birmingham. Of the 12 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University College Birmingham is higher in 9 and Northumbria University, Newcastle in 1, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#528
QS World
—
#401
THE World
—
#53
Guardian UK
—
1969
Established
1957
No
Russell Group
No
Silver
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.

Northumbria University, Newcastle

University College Birmingham

83.5%
88.3%

Satisfaction

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

£31,000
£25,600

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

86.1%
77.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

24.5%
47%

International

International student share

305
115

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

7
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.

Northumbria

85 countries · 24.5% international

  • 🇮🇳India35.3%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria16.3%
  • 🌐Kuwait4%
  • 🇨🇳China3.8%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka3.8%
VS

University College Birmingham

26 countries · 47% international

  • 🌐Nepal48.9%
  • 🇮🇳India24.7%
  • 🇨🇳China11.5%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh3.8%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan3.3%

Subjects

27 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.

Northumbria University, Newcastle

University College Birmingham

Also taught at both: Adult Nursing, Applied Psychology, Childhood & Youth Studies, Education Studies, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Mental Health Nursing, Nutrition & Dietetics, Politics & International Relations, Clinical & Health Psychology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Public Health & Epidemiology.

Only at Northumbria University, Newcastle

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

Northumbria University, Newcastle
£19,850
University College Birmingham
£13,500

University College Birmingham is about £6,350 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Northumbria University, Newcastle
£19,850
University College Birmingham
£17,000

University College Birmingham is about £2,850 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.

Northumbria University, Newcastle

University College Birmingham

  • Business Studies

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    83%Satisfaction86%

  • Computer Science

    £25,500Salary (3 years)No data
    87%Satisfaction87%

  • Design & Fashion

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£18,500
    91%SatisfactionNo data

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£20,500
    83%Satisfaction96%

  • Hospitality, Events & Tourism

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    66%Satisfaction93%

  • Building & Construction

    £30,500Salary (3 years)No data
    81%Satisfaction91%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    77%Satisfaction93%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    88%Satisfaction89%

  • Marketing

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    79%Satisfaction85%

  • Architecture

    £21,500Salary (3 years)No data
    90%Satisfaction91%

  • Adult Nursing

    £28,000Salary (3 years)No data
    84%Satisfaction91%

  • Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation

    £27,500Salary (3 years)No data
    94%Satisfaction88%

Showing the 12 largest of 13 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Northumbria University, Newcastle

2025/26 PGT Sanctuary Scholarships

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

2025/26 UG Sanctuary Scholarships

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

Castle Peak Postgraduate Scholarships

See details

Deadline: N/A

GEMS Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Horiba Foundation UK Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

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

Northumbria University, Newcastle vs University College Birmingham: common questions

Is Northumbria University, Newcastle or University College Birmingham cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,850 a year at Northumbria University, Newcastle and £13,500 at University College Birmingham: University College Birmingham is about £6,350 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,850 a year at Northumbria University, Newcastle and £17,000 at University College Birmingham: University College Birmingham is about £2,850 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 Northumbria University, Newcastle and University College Birmingham?

Both universities teach 27 subject areas: Business Studies, Computer Science, Design & Fashion, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Building & Construction, Sociology & Criminology, Business & Management (General), Finance & Actuarial Science, Marketing, Psychology (General), Civil Engineering and 15 more.

Is Northumbria University, Newcastle or University College Birmingham better for Business Studies?

Business Studies graduates earn a median £26,000 three years after graduating from Northumbria University, Newcastle, and £21,000 from University College Birmingham. Student satisfaction with teaching is 83% at Northumbria University, Newcastle and 86% at University College Birmingham. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Northumbria University, Newcastle or University College Birmingham offer more courses?

Northumbria University, Newcastle lists 305 courses on CourseOptions and University College Birmingham lists 115 courses.

What can you study at Northumbria University, Newcastle but not at University College Birmingham?

Northumbria University, Newcastle teaches 44 subject areas that University College Birmingham does not, including Law, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, English Literature, Social Work, History, Mathematics, Media & Film Studies, Physical Geography & Climate and 36 more.

What can you study at University College Birmingham but not at Northumbria University, Newcastle?

University College Birmingham teaches 9 subject areas that Northumbria University, Newcastle does not, including Food Science, Food Production & Technology, Planning & Housing, Crafts & Applied Arts, Complementary & Alternative Medicine, Creative Arts (General), Developmental & Educational Psychology, Software Engineering and 1 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

N
Northumbria University, Newcastle305 courses · 7 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University College Birmingham115 courses · 7 scholarshipsBrowse Courses