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.
Edinburgh · QS World #1201
Birmingham
Head-to-Head Summary
Based on 7 datapoints
We looked at 7 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.
4/7
Queen Margaret
scored higher in 4 categories
3/7
University College Birmingham
scored higher in 3 categories
Quick Verdict
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh leads in 4 of 7 categories where both have data (established, satisfaction, employment, graduate salary). University College Birmingham is ahead on international, courses, scholarship.
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh vs University College Birmingham at a glance
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh and University College Birmingham both teach 15 subject areas, the largest being Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Business & Management (General) and Business Studies. Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh offers 68 courses across 25 subject areas; University College Birmingham offers 115 courses across 36 subject areas.
For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,460 a year at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh and £17,000 at University College Birmingham: University College Birmingham is about £1,460 a year cheaper.
Of the 4 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh is higher in 4 and University College Birmingham in 0. The widest gap is in Hospitality, Events & Tourism: £22,000 three years after graduating from Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, against £20,000 from University College Birmingham. Of the 7 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University College Birmingham is higher in 4 and Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh in 3.
World & National Rankings
Compare world and national league table positions, TEF ratings, and Russell Group membership.
Visual Breakdown
Key metrics at a glance
Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
University College Birmingham
Satisfaction
Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)
Graduate Salaries (5y)
Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation
Employment
Graduate employment rate
International
International student share
Course Counts
Number of courses offered
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.
Queen Margaret
51 countries · 18.6% international
- 🇮🇪Ireland29%
- 🌐Nepal9.8%
- 🇨🇦Canada8.2%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria6.1%
- 🇺🇸United States4.5%
University College Birmingham
26 countries · 47% international
- 🌐Nepal48.9%
- 🇮🇳India24.7%
- 🇨🇳China11.5%
- 🇧🇩Bangladesh3.8%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan3.3%
Subjects
15 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.
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
University College Birmingham
Hospitality, Events & Tourism
1 courseFee not available
15 coursesTypical fee £13,500 (UG)
Business & Management (General)
Business Studies
Finance & Actuarial Science
Psychology (General)
Education Studies
Health & Social Care
Marketing
Sociology & Criminology
Adult Nursing
Nutrition & Dietetics
Complementary & Alternative Medicine
Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation
Design & Fashion
Politics & International Relations
Only at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
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
- Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
- No data
- University College Birmingham
- £13,500
We do not have reliable international fee data for Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh yet.
Postgraduate
- Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
- £18,460
- University College Birmingham
- £17,000
University College Birmingham is about £1,460 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.
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
University College Birmingham
Hospitality, Events & Tourism
£22,000Salary (3 years)£20,00086%Satisfaction93%Business & Management (General)
£22,000Salary (3 years)£20,00092%Satisfaction93%Education Studies
No dataSalary (3 years)£17,00088%Satisfaction98%Marketing
£22,000Salary (3 years)£20,00076%Satisfaction85%Adult Nursing
£30,000Salary (3 years)No data100%Satisfaction91%Complementary & Alternative Medicine
£23,000Salary (3 years)No data81%Satisfaction78%Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation
£28,000Salary (3 years)No data95%Satisfaction88%Design & Fashion
£19,500Salary (3 years)£18,50095%SatisfactionNo data
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveQueen Margaret University, Edinburgh
Scottish Highlands & Islands Schools Scholarship
£500
Deadline: Jun 2026
Alison Scott Scholarship
See details
Deadline: N/A
The Alison Scott Scholarship
See details
Deadline: N/A
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
FAQ
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh vs University College Birmingham: common questions
Is Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh or University College Birmingham cheaper for international students?
For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,460 a year at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh and £17,000 at University College Birmingham: University College Birmingham is about £1,460 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 Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh and University College Birmingham?
Both universities teach 15 subject areas: Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Business & Management (General), Business Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Psychology (General), Education Studies, Health & Social Care, Marketing, Sociology & Criminology, Adult Nursing, Nutrition & Dietetics, Complementary & Alternative Medicine and 3 more.
Is Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh or University College Birmingham better for Hospitality, Events & Tourism?
Hospitality, Events & Tourism graduates earn a median £22,000 three years after graduating from Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, and £20,000 from University College Birmingham. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh and 93% at University College Birmingham. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh or University College Birmingham offer more courses?
University College Birmingham lists 115 courses on CourseOptions and Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh lists 68 courses.
What can you study at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh but not at University College Birmingham?
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh teaches 10 subject areas that University College Birmingham does not, including Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Teacher Training, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Drama & Theatre, Media & Film Studies, Cultural Studies, Medical Imaging, Classical Studies and 2 more.
What can you study at University College Birmingham but not at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh?
University College Birmingham teaches 21 subject areas that Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh does not, including Sport & Exercise Sciences, Building & Construction, Food Science, Childhood & Youth Studies, Food Production & Technology, Planning & Housing, Crafts & Applied Arts, Applied Psychology and 13 more.
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