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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.

S
SOAS University of London

London · QS World #458

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.

1/11

SOAS University of London

scored higher in 1 category

VS

10/11

Birmingham

scored higher in 10 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Birmingham leads in 10 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary, courses). SOAS University of London is ahead on scholarship.

SOAS University of London vs University of Birmingham at a glance

SOAS University of London and University of Birmingham both teach 26 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Media & Film Studies and Law. SOAS University of London offers 296 courses across 29 subject areas; University of Birmingham offers 663 courses across 101 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,780 a year at SOAS University of London and £27,090 at University of Birmingham: SOAS University of London is about £3,310 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,320 a year at SOAS University of London and £23,390 at University of Birmingham: University of Birmingham is about £1,930 a year cheaper.

Of the 12 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, SOAS University of London is higher in 8 and University of Birmingham in 4. The widest gap is in Accounting: £27,500 three years after graduating from SOAS University of London, against £37,000 from University of Birmingham. Of the 14 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, SOAS University of London is higher in 7 and University of Birmingham in 6, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#458
QS World
#68
#401
THE World
#98
#86
Guardian UK
#18
1916
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.

SOAS University of London

University of Birmingham

84.1%
86.7%

Satisfaction

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

£32,500
£38,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

74.4%
83.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

25.7%
31.2%

International

International student share

296
663

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

27
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.

SOAS University of London

67 countries · 25.7% international

  • 🇨🇳China10.9%
  • 🇮🇳India10.6%
  • 🇺🇸United States9.4%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan7.6%
  • 🇫🇷France3.6%
VS

Birmingham

104 countries · 31.2% international

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

Subjects

26 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.

SOAS University of London

University of Birmingham

Also taught at both: Theology & Religious Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Linguistics, Accounting, Management, Social Policy & Public Policy, Archaeology, Social Sciences (General), Biological Sciences (General), Liberal Arts.

Only at SOAS University of London

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

SOAS University of London
£23,780
University of Birmingham
£27,090

SOAS University of London is about £3,310 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

SOAS University of London
£25,320
University of Birmingham
£23,390

University of Birmingham is about £1,930 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.

SOAS University of London

University of Birmingham

  • Politics & International Relations

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    90%Satisfaction86%

  • Law

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    77%Satisfaction83%

  • Ancient Languages

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    92%Satisfaction91%

  • History

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    89%Satisfaction89%

  • Anthropology

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    94%Satisfaction84%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£35,000
    82%Satisfaction79%

  • Music

    No dataSalary (3 years)£23,000
    87%Satisfaction89%

  • Philosophy

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    89%Satisfaction93%

  • Economics

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£34,500
    83%Satisfaction85%

  • History of Art & Design

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    97%Satisfaction90%

  • Accounting

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£37,000
    88%Satisfaction84%

  • Management

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£35,000
    73%Satisfaction84%

Showing the 12 largest of 14 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

SOAS University of London

SOAS International Academic Excellence Scholarship

£20,000

Deadline: May 2026

SOAS Sustainable Development Goal Scholarship

£15,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

Commonwealth Shared Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Programme

100%

Deadline: N/A

SOAS Academic Excellence Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: May 2026

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

SOAS University of London vs University of Birmingham: common questions

Is SOAS University of London or University of Birmingham cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,780 a year at SOAS University of London and £27,090 at University of Birmingham: SOAS University of London is about £3,310 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,320 a year at SOAS University of London and £23,390 at University of Birmingham: University of Birmingham is about £1,930 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 SOAS University of London and University of Birmingham?

Both universities teach 26 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Media & Film Studies, Law, Ancient Languages, History, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Anthropology, Business & Management (General), Music, International Development, Philosophy, Economics and 14 more.

Is SOAS University of London or University of Birmingham better for Politics & International Relations?

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £31,000 three years after graduating from SOAS University of London, and £28,000 from University of Birmingham. Student satisfaction with teaching is 90% at SOAS University of London and 86% at University of Birmingham. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does SOAS University of London or University of Birmingham offer more courses?

University of Birmingham lists 663 courses on CourseOptions and SOAS University of London lists 296 courses.

What can you study at SOAS University of London but not at University of Birmingham?

SOAS University of London teaches 3 subject areas that University of Birmingham does not, including Asian Languages & Studies, Creative Arts (General) and Cultural Studies.

What can you study at University of Birmingham but not at SOAS University of London?

University of Birmingham teaches 75 subject areas that SOAS University of London does not, including Health & Social Care, Teacher Training, Geology & Earth Sciences, Physics, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Marketing, Chemistry and 67 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

S
SOAS University of London296 courses · 27 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Birmingham663 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses