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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.

O
Open University

None · THE World #801

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

Open

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, Russell Group, established, employment, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Open University is ahead on TEF, satisfaction.

Open University vs University of Birmingham at a glance

Open University and University of Birmingham both teach 59 subject areas, the largest being Law, Business & Management (General) and History. Open University offers 337 courses across 68 subject areas; University of Birmingham offers 663 courses across 101 subject areas.

Of the 39 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Birmingham is higher in 25 and Open University in 11, with 3 about level. The widest gap is in Accounting: £26,000 three years after graduating from Open University, against £37,000 from University of Birmingham. Of the 32 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Open University is higher in 24 and University of Birmingham in 5, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
#68
#801
THE World
#98
—
Guardian UK
#18
1969
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.

Open University

University of Birmingham

89.8%
86.7%

Satisfaction

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

£29,900
£38,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

72.6%
83.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

0.2%
31.2%

International

International student share

337
663

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
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.

Open

25 countries · 0.2% international

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

Birmingham

104 countries · 31.2% international

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

Subjects

59 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 of Birmingham

Also taught at both: General Engineering, International Development, Geology & Earth Sciences, Music, Ancient Languages, Childhood & Youth Studies, Chemistry, English Language, Environmental Sciences, Social Work, Economics, Finance & Actuarial Science, History of Art & Design, Biomedical Sciences, Classical Studies, French, Geography (General), Nursing (General), Theology & Religious Studies, Accounting, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Linguistics, Public Health & Epidemiology, Biology, Computing & IT, Human Geography & Environment, Management, Social Policy & Public Policy, Social Sciences (General), German & Scandinavian Studies, Creative Writing, English Literature, English Studies, Information Systems & Data Science, Natural Sciences, Physical Geography & Climate, Software Engineering, Statistics, Adult Nursing, Applied Psychology, Human Resource Management, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Mental Health Nursing, Children's Nursing.

Only at Open 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

Open University
No data
University of Birmingham
£27,090

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

Postgraduate

Open University
No data
University of Birmingham
£23,390

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 of Birmingham

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    96%Satisfaction83%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£35,000
    95%Satisfaction79%

  • History

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    93%Satisfaction89%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£40,000
    91%Satisfaction93%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    92%Satisfaction86%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £17,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    89%Satisfaction83%

  • Philosophy

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    91%Satisfaction93%

  • Mathematics

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    93%Satisfaction85%

  • Education Studies

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    89%Satisfaction83%

  • Physics

    £38,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    98%Satisfaction93%

  • Health Sciences & Paramedic Science

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£31,500
    91%SatisfactionNo data

  • Psychology (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    88%Satisfaction90%

Showing the 12 largest of 39 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Open University

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

Open University vs University of Birmingham: common questions

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

Both universities teach 59 subject areas: Law, Business & Management (General), History, Computer Science, Politics & International Relations, Sociology & Criminology, Philosophy, Health & Social Care, Mathematics, Education Studies, Physics, Teacher Training and 47 more.

Is Open University or University of Birmingham better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £24,500 three years after graduating from Open University, and £27,500 from University of Birmingham. Student satisfaction with teaching is 96% at Open University and 83% at University of Birmingham. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Open University or University of Birmingham offer more courses?

University of Birmingham lists 663 courses on CourseOptions and Open University lists 337 courses.

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

Open University teaches 9 subject areas that University of Birmingham does not, including Humanities, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Combined & General Studies, Design & Fashion, Office Administration, Applied & General Science, Information & Library Studies, Learning Disabilities Nursing and 1 more.

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

University of Birmingham teaches 42 subject areas that Open University does not, including Civil Engineering, Marketing, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Business Studies, Chemical Engineering, Media & Film Studies, Medicine, Dentistry and 34 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 of Birmingham663 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses