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.
London
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.
6/7
Royal College of Music
scored higher in 6 categories
1/7
University College Birmingham
scored higher in 1 category
Quick Verdict
Royal College of Music leads in 6 of 7 categories where both have data (TEF, established, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary). University College Birmingham is ahead on courses.
Royal College of Music vs University College Birmingham at a glance
Royal College of Music and University College Birmingham have no subject area in common. Royal College of Music's largest is Music; University College Birmingham's is Hospitality, Events & Tourism.
For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,760 a year at Royal College of Music and £17,000 at University College Birmingham: University College Birmingham is about £15,760 a year cheaper.
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.
Royal College of Music
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.
Royal College of Music
37 countries · 48.2% international
- 🇨🇳China35.4%
- 🇺🇸United States10.4%
- 🇭🇰Hong Kong8.3%
- 🇦🇺Australia3.1%
- 🇫🇷France3.1%
University College Birmingham
26 countries · 47% international
- 🌐Nepal48.9%
- 🇮🇳India24.7%
- 🇨🇳China11.5%
- 🇧🇩Bangladesh3.8%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan3.3%
Subjects
No subjects in common
Royal College of Music and University College Birmingham do not teach any of the same subject areas.
Only at Royal College of Music
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
- Royal College of Music
- No data
- University College Birmingham
- £13,500
We do not have reliable international fee data for Royal College of Music yet.
Postgraduate
- Royal College of Music
- £32,760
- University College Birmingham
- £17,000
University College Birmingham is about £15,760 a year cheaper.
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveRoyal College of Music
Adami Award for Collaborative Piano Fellows
£15,000
Deadline: N/A
Fellowship in Historical Keyboards
£15,000
Deadline: N/A
Gilbert & Eileen Edgar and Anthony Saltmarsh CPF
£15,000
Deadline: N/A
Lord & Lady Lurgan Collaborative Piano Fellowship
£15,000
Deadline: N/A
Carne Junior Fellowship
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
Royal College of Music vs University College Birmingham: common questions
Is Royal College of Music or University College Birmingham cheaper for international students?
For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,760 a year at Royal College of Music and £17,000 at University College Birmingham: University College Birmingham is about £15,760 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.
Does Royal College of Music or University College Birmingham offer more courses?
University College Birmingham lists 115 courses on CourseOptions and Royal College of Music lists 39 courses.
What can you study at Royal College of Music but not at University College Birmingham?
Royal College of Music teaches 2 subject areas that University College Birmingham does not, including Music and Cognitive & Experimental Psychology.
What can you study at University College Birmingham but not at Royal College of Music?
University College Birmingham teaches 36 subject areas that Royal College of Music does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Building & Construction, Food Science, Business Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Health & Social Care, Business & Management (General) and 28 more.
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