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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.

Q
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh

Edinburgh · QS World #1201

U
University of Birmingham

Birmingham · QS World #68

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.

3/8

Queen Margaret

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

5/8

Birmingham

scored higher in 5 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Birmingham leads in 5 of 8 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, international, graduate salary, courses). Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh is ahead on established, satisfaction, employment.

Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh vs University of Birmingham at a glance

Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh and University of Birmingham both teach 19 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Business & Management (General) and Teacher Training. Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh offers 68 courses across 25 subject areas; University of Birmingham offers 663 courses across 101 subject areas.

For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,460 a year at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh and £23,390 at University of Birmingham: Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh is about £4,930 a year cheaper.

Of the 9 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Birmingham is higher in 8 and Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh in 1. The widest gap is in Business & Management (General): £22,000 three years after graduating from Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, against £35,000 from University of Birmingham. Of the 10 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh is higher in 7 and University of Birmingham in 3.

World & National Rankings

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

#1201
QS World
#68
—
THE World
#98
—
Guardian UK
#18
1875
Established
1900
No
Russell Group
Yes
—
TEF Rating
Silver

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 of Birmingham

89.4%
86.7%

Satisfaction

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

£28,300
£38,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

88.1%
83.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

18.6%
31.2%

International

International student share

68
663

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

3
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.

Queen Margaret

51 countries · 18.6% international

  • 🇮🇪Ireland29%
  • 🌐Nepal9.8%
  • 🇨🇦Canada8.2%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria6.1%
  • 🇺🇸United States4.5%
VS

Birmingham

104 countries · 31.2% international

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

Subjects

19 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 of Birmingham

Also taught at both: Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Clinical Specialities, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Hospitality, Events & Tourism.

Only at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh

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

Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
No data
University of Birmingham
£27,090

We do not have reliable international fee data for Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh yet.

Postgraduate

Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
£18,460
University of Birmingham
£23,390

Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh is about £4,930 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 of Birmingham

  • Business & Management (General)

    £22,000Salary (3 years)£35,000
    92%Satisfaction79%

  • Health Sciences & Paramedic Science

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£31,500
    88%SatisfactionNo data

  • Marketing

    £22,000Salary (3 years)£35,000
    76%Satisfaction79%

  • Education Studies

    No dataSalary (3 years)£24,000
    88%Satisfaction83%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    94%Satisfaction83%

  • Psychology (General)

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    82%Satisfaction90%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £20,000Salary (3 years)No data
    88%Satisfaction95%

  • Drama & Theatre

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    99%Satisfaction91%

  • Adult Nursing

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    100%Satisfaction83%

  • Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£31,500
    95%Satisfaction84%

  • Hospitality, Events & Tourism

    £22,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    86%Satisfaction80%

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Queen 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

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

Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh vs University of Birmingham: common questions

Is Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh or University of Birmingham cheaper for international students?

For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,460 a year at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh and £23,390 at University of Birmingham: Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh is about £4,930 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 of Birmingham?

Both universities teach 19 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Business & Management (General), Teacher Training, Health & Social Care, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Marketing, Education Studies, Sociology & Criminology, Business Studies, Psychology (General), Finance & Actuarial Science, Media & Film Studies and 7 more.

Is Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh or University of Birmingham better for Business & Management (General)?

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £22,000 three years after graduating from Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, and £35,000 from University of Birmingham. Student satisfaction with teaching is 92% at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh and 79% at University of Birmingham. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh or University of Birmingham offer more courses?

University of Birmingham lists 663 courses on CourseOptions and Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh lists 68 courses.

What can you study at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh but not at University of Birmingham?

Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh teaches 6 subject areas that University of Birmingham does not, including Nutrition & Dietetics, Complementary & Alternative Medicine, Cultural Studies, Medical Imaging, Design & Fashion and Public Relations.

What can you study at University of Birmingham but not at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh?

University of Birmingham teaches 82 subject areas that Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh does not, including Law, History, Philosophy, Civil Engineering, Geology & Earth Sciences, International Development, Physics, Sport & Exercise Sciences and 74 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

Q
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh68 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Birmingham663 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses