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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
Oxford Brookes University

Oxford · QS World #411

U
University of Birmingham

Birmingham · QS World #68

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 11 datapoints

We looked at 11 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

2/11

Oxford Brookes

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

9/11

Birmingham

scored higher in 9 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Birmingham leads in 9 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary, courses). Oxford Brookes University is ahead on established, scholarship.

Oxford Brookes University vs University of Birmingham at a glance

Oxford Brookes University and University of Birmingham both teach 54 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Law and Business & Management (General). Oxford Brookes University offers 307 courses across 69 subject areas; University of Birmingham offers 663 courses across 101 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,250 a year at Oxford Brookes University and £27,090 at University of Birmingham: Oxford Brookes University is about £9,840 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,900 a year at Oxford Brookes University and £23,390 at University of Birmingham: Oxford Brookes University is about £4,490 a year cheaper.

Of the 35 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Birmingham is higher in 22 and Oxford Brookes University in 12, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Accounting: £27,500 three years after graduating from Oxford Brookes University, against £37,000 from University of Birmingham. Of the 35 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Oxford Brookes University is higher in 21 and University of Birmingham in 12, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#411
QS World
#68
#801
THE World
#98
#43
Guardian UK
#18
1865
Established
1900
No
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.

Oxford Brookes University

University of Birmingham

86.6%
86.7%

Satisfaction

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

£33,600
£38,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.6%
83.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

11.3%
31.2%

International

International student share

307
663

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

14
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.

Oxford Brookes

90 countries · 11.3% international

  • 🇮🇳India29.2%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria4.9%
  • 🇺🇸United States4.8%
  • 🇨🇳China4.2%
  • 🇹🇷Turkey2.7%
VS

Birmingham

104 countries · 31.2% international

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

Subjects

54 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.

Oxford Brookes University

University of Birmingham

Also taught at both: International Development, Anthropology, Childhood & Youth Studies, Economics, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Ancient Languages, History of Art & Design, Geography (General), Accounting, Management, Mechanical Engineering, Biological Sciences (General), Biomedical Sciences, English Literature, Nursing (General), Psychology (General), Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Social Work, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, General Engineering, Planning & Housing, Public Health & Epidemiology, Adult Nursing, Biology, Computing & IT, Creative Writing, Film Production & Cinematography, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Software Engineering, Human Geography & Environment, Mental Health Nursing, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Liberal Arts, Midwifery, Statistics, Children's Nursing, Genetics & Genomics, Human Resource Management.

Only at Oxford Brookes 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

Oxford Brookes University
£17,250
University of Birmingham
£27,090

Oxford Brookes University is about £9,840 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Oxford Brookes University
£18,900
University of Birmingham
£23,390

Oxford Brookes University is about £4,490 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.

Oxford Brookes University

University of Birmingham

  • Politics & International Relations

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    90%Satisfaction86%

  • Law

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    83%Satisfaction83%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£35,000
    88%Satisfaction79%

  • History

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    92%Satisfaction89%

  • Marketing

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£35,000
    73%Satisfaction79%

  • Sociology & Criminology

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

  • Philosophy

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    100%Satisfaction93%

  • Education Studies

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    91%Satisfaction83%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £25,000Salary (3 years)No data
    81%Satisfaction95%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    94%Satisfaction88%

  • Business Studies

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£35,000
    86%Satisfaction77%

  • Computer Science

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£40,000
    78%Satisfaction93%

Showing the 12 largest of 36 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Oxford Brookes University

Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press (FLTRP) Scholarship

£3,000

Deadline: Nov 2026

Oxford Brookes Bursary for Continuing Students

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

Estranged students bursary

£2,000

Deadline: Jul 2027

Oxford Brookes Business School International Student Scholarship

£2,000

Deadline: N/A

Transition from Care Bursary

£2,000

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

Oxford Brookes University vs University of Birmingham: common questions

Is Oxford Brookes University or University of Birmingham cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,250 a year at Oxford Brookes University and £27,090 at University of Birmingham: Oxford Brookes University is about £9,840 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,900 a year at Oxford Brookes University and £23,390 at University of Birmingham: Oxford Brookes University is about £4,490 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 Oxford Brookes University and University of Birmingham?

Both universities teach 54 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Law, Business & Management (General), History, Marketing, Sociology & Criminology, Philosophy, Education Studies, Health & Social Care, Media & Film Studies, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Business Studies and 42 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £26,500 three years after graduating from Oxford Brookes University, and £28,000 from University of Birmingham. Student satisfaction with teaching is 90% at Oxford Brookes University and 86% at University of Birmingham. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Oxford Brookes University or University of Birmingham offer more courses?

University of Birmingham lists 663 courses on CourseOptions and Oxford Brookes University lists 307 courses.

What can you study at Oxford Brookes University but not at University of Birmingham?

Oxford Brookes University teaches 15 subject areas that University of Birmingham does not, including Building & Construction, Architecture, Design & Fashion, Nutrition & Dietetics, Ecology & Conservation, Animal Science, Fine Art, Asian Languages & Studies and 7 more.

What can you study at University of Birmingham but not at Oxford Brookes University?

University of Birmingham teaches 47 subject areas that Oxford Brookes University does not, including Teacher Training, Civil Engineering, Geology & Earth Sciences, Physics, Music, Chemistry, Mathematics, Microbiology & Cell Biology and 39 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

O
Oxford Brookes University307 courses · 14 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Birmingham663 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses