Skip to main content

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.

O
Open University

None · THE World #801

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.

4/8

Open

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

4/8

University College Birmingham

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

Open University and University College Birmingham are evenly matched: each leads in 4 of 8 categories where both have data. Open University is ahead on TEF, satisfaction, graduate salary, courses; University College Birmingham on established, employment, international, scholarship.

Open University vs University College Birmingham at a glance

Open University and University College Birmingham both teach 16 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Computer Science and Sociology & Criminology. Open University offers 337 courses across 68 subject areas; University College Birmingham offers 115 courses across 36 subject areas.

Of the 7 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Open University is higher in 7 and University College Birmingham in 0. The widest gap is in Business & Management (General): £32,000 three years after graduating from Open University, against £20,000 from University College Birmingham. Of the 8 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University College Birmingham is higher in 6 and Open University in 2.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
—
#801
THE World
—
—
Guardian UK
—
1969
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.

Open University

University College Birmingham

89.8%
88.3%

Satisfaction

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

£29,900
£25,600

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

72.6%
77.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

0.2%
47%

International

International student share

337
115

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
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.

Open

25 countries · 0.2% international

  • 🇩🇪Germany8.9%
  • 🌐Cyprus (European Union)6.7%
  • 🇫🇷France6.7%
  • 🇨🇳China4.4%
  • 🇮🇳India4.4%
VS

University College Birmingham

26 countries · 47% international

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

Subjects

16 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.

Open University

University College Birmingham

Also taught at both: Mental Health Nursing.

Only at Open 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

Open University
No data
University College Birmingham
£13,500

We do not have reliable international fee data for Open University yet.

Postgraduate

Open University
No data
University College Birmingham
£17,000

We do not have reliable international fee data for Open University yet.

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.

Open University

University College Birmingham

  • Business & Management (General)

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    95%Satisfaction93%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)No data
    91%Satisfaction87%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    92%Satisfaction96%

  • Childhood & Youth Studies

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£20,500
    90%Satisfaction98%

  • Education Studies

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£17,000
    89%Satisfaction98%

  • Health & Social Care

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    89%Satisfaction94%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    No dataSatisfaction89%

  • Design & Fashion

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£18,500
    84%SatisfactionNo data

  • Adult Nursing

    £29,500Salary (3 years)No data
    88%Satisfaction91%

  • Mental Health Nursing

    £29,500Salary (3 years)No data
    88%Satisfaction91%

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Open University

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

Open University vs University College Birmingham: common questions

What subjects can you study at both Open University and University College Birmingham?

Both universities teach 16 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Computer Science, Sociology & Criminology, Psychology (General), Sport & Exercise Sciences, Childhood & Youth Studies, Education Studies, Health & Social Care, Finance & Actuarial Science, Software Engineering, Design & Fashion, Politics & International Relations and 4 more.

Is Open University or University College Birmingham better for Business & Management (General)?

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £32,000 three years after graduating from Open University, and £20,000 from University College Birmingham. Student satisfaction with teaching is 95% at Open University and 93% at University College Birmingham. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Open University or University College Birmingham offer more courses?

Open University lists 337 courses on CourseOptions and University College Birmingham lists 115 courses.

What can you study at Open University but not at University College Birmingham?

Open University teaches 52 subject areas that University College Birmingham does not, including Law, History, Humanities, General Engineering, Mathematics, Social Work, English Language, Computing & IT and 44 more.

What can you study at University College Birmingham but not at Open University?

University College Birmingham teaches 20 subject areas that Open University does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Building & Construction, Food Science, Business Studies, Food Production & Technology, Planning & Housing, Crafts & Applied Arts, Marketing and 12 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

O
Open University337 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University College Birmingham115 courses · 7 scholarshipsBrowse Courses