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.
Glasgow
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.
4/8
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
scored higher in 4 categories
4/8
Birmingham
scored higher in 4 categories
Quick Verdict
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and University of Birmingham are evenly matched: each leads in 4 of 8 categories where both have data. Royal Conservatoire of Scotland is ahead on established, satisfaction, employment, scholarship; University of Birmingham on Russell Group, international, graduate salary, courses.
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland vs University of Birmingham at a glance
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and University of Birmingham both teach 7 subject areas, the largest being Music, Teacher Training and Drama & Theatre. Royal Conservatoire of Scotland offers 72 courses across 8 subject areas; University of Birmingham offers 663 courses across 101 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,920 a year at Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and £27,090 at University of Birmingham: University of Birmingham is about £1,830 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,400 a year at Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and £23,390 at University of Birmingham: University of Birmingham is about £5,010 a year cheaper.
Of the 3 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Birmingham is higher in 2 and Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in 0, with 1 about level.
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 Conservatoire of Scotland
University of 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 Conservatoire of Scotland
23 countries · 26% international
- 🇨🇳China26.6%
- 🇺🇸United States18.8%
- 🇺🇦Ukraine6.2%
- 🇦🇺Australia4.7%
- 🇮🇪Ireland4.7%
Birmingham
104 countries · 31.2% international
- 🇨🇳China55.7%
- 🇮🇳India9.4%
- 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.2%
- 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.8%
- 🇲🇾Malaysia2%
Subjects
7 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.
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
University of Birmingham
Music
49 coursesTypical fee £28,920 (UG)
12 coursesTypical fee £23,390 (PG)
Teacher Training
1 courseTypical fee £28,920 (UG)
17 coursesFee not available
Drama & Theatre
12 coursesTypical fee £28,920 (UG)
5 coursesTypical fee £23,390 (PG)
Education Studies
2 coursesFee not available
11 coursesTypical fee £22,880 (UG)
Management
Media & Film Studies
Social Work
Only at Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
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 Conservatoire of Scotland
- £28,920
- University of Birmingham
- £27,090
University of Birmingham is about £1,830 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
- £28,400
- University of Birmingham
- £23,390
University of Birmingham is about £5,010 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.
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
University of Birmingham
Music
No dataSalary (3 years)£23,00089%Satisfaction89%Drama & Theatre
No dataSalary (3 years)£22,50089%Satisfaction91%Media & Film Studies
No dataSalary (3 years)No data83%Satisfaction95%
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveRoyal Conservatoire of Scotland
WM Mann Scholarship for Postgraduate Indonesian Students
75%
Deadline: N/A
Cowrie Scholarship Foundation
See details
Deadline: N/A
James McAvoy Drama Scholarship
See details
Deadline: N/A
Pamella Dow Scholarship
See details
Deadline: N/A
Pauline Knowles Scholarship
See details
Deadline: N/A
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
FAQ
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland vs University of Birmingham: common questions
Is Royal Conservatoire of Scotland or University of Birmingham cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,920 a year at Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and £27,090 at University of Birmingham: University of Birmingham is about £1,830 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,400 a year at Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and £23,390 at University of Birmingham: University of Birmingham is about £5,010 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 Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and University of Birmingham?
Both universities teach 7 subject areas: Music, Teacher Training, Drama & Theatre, Education Studies, Management, Media & Film Studies and Social Work.
Does Royal Conservatoire of Scotland or University of Birmingham offer more courses?
University of Birmingham lists 663 courses on CourseOptions and Royal Conservatoire of Scotland lists 72 courses.
What can you study at Royal Conservatoire of Scotland but not at University of Birmingham?
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland teaches 1 subject area that University of Birmingham does not, including Dance.
What can you study at University of Birmingham but not at Royal Conservatoire of Scotland?
University of Birmingham teaches 94 subject areas that Royal Conservatoire of Scotland does not, including Politics & International Relations, Law, History, Health & Social Care, Philosophy, Business & Management (General), Civil Engineering, Geology & Earth Sciences and 86 more.
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