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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
Southampton, Solent University

Southampton

U
University College Birmingham

Birmingham

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.

6/8

Southampton

scored higher in 6 categories

VS

2/8

University College Birmingham

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

Southampton, Solent University leads in 6 of 8 categories where both have data (TEF, established, employment, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University College Birmingham is ahead on satisfaction, international.

Southampton, Solent University vs University College Birmingham at a glance

Southampton, Solent University and University College Birmingham both teach 22 subject areas, the largest being Design & Fashion, Hospitality, Events & Tourism and Sport & Exercise Sciences. Southampton, Solent University offers 294 courses across 42 subject areas; University College Birmingham offers 115 courses across 36 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,080 a year at Southampton, Solent University and £13,500 at University College Birmingham: University College Birmingham is about £5,580 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,350 a year at Southampton, Solent University and £17,000 at University College Birmingham: University College Birmingham is about £1,350 a year cheaper.

Of the 7 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Southampton, Solent University is higher in 7 and University College Birmingham in 0. The widest gap is in Business & Management (General): £22,500 three years after graduating from Southampton, Solent University, against £20,000 from University College Birmingham. Of the 11 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University College Birmingham is higher in 7 and Southampton, Solent University in 4.

World & National Rankings

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

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QS World
—
—
THE World
—
—
Guardian UK
—
1855
Established
1957
No
Russell Group
No
Gold
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.

Southampton, Solent University

University College Birmingham

88.2%
88.3%

Satisfaction

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

£28,100
£25,600

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.5%
77.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

14.9%
47%

International

International student share

294
115

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

11
7

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.

Southampton

56 countries · 14.9% international

  • 🇮🇳India39%
  • 🇳🇴Norway6.3%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria4.3%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia4.3%
  • 🌐Morocco2.4%
VS

University College Birmingham

26 countries · 47% international

  • 🌐Nepal48.9%
  • 🇮🇳India24.7%
  • 🇨🇳China11.5%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh3.8%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan3.3%

Subjects

22 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.

Southampton, Solent University

University College Birmingham

Also taught at both: Childhood & Youth Studies, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Applied Psychology, Education Studies, Marketing, Adult Nursing, Politics & International Relations.

Only at Southampton, Solent University

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

Southampton, Solent University
£19,080
University College Birmingham
£13,500

University College Birmingham is about £5,580 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Southampton, Solent University
£18,350
University College Birmingham
£17,000

University College Birmingham is about £1,350 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.

Southampton, Solent University

University College Birmingham

  • Design & Fashion

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£18,500
    89%SatisfactionNo data

  • Hospitality, Events & Tourism

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    77%Satisfaction93%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £22,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    95%Satisfaction96%

  • Business Studies

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    93%Satisfaction86%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£20,000
    87%Satisfaction93%

  • Building & Construction

    £26,500Salary (3 years)No data
    97%Satisfaction91%

  • Computer Science

    £25,000Salary (3 years)No data
    84%Satisfaction87%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£20,000
    81%Satisfaction89%

  • Software Engineering

    £25,000Salary (3 years)No data
    84%Satisfaction89%

  • Health & Social Care

    No dataSalary (3 years)£20,500
    95%Satisfaction94%

  • Architecture

    £24,500Salary (3 years)No data
    97%Satisfaction91%

  • Crafts & Applied Arts

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£18,500
    88%Satisfaction89%

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Southampton, Solent University

Solent Postgraduate Taught International Excellence Scholarship

£1,500

Deadline: N/A

Carers Bursary

£1,200

Deadline: Jun 2026

Gypsy, Roma, Traveller, Showman, Boater community bursary

£500

Deadline: Jun 2026

Undergraduate Apprenticeship Bursary

£200

Deadline: Jun 2026

Parents bursary

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

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

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Southampton, Solent University vs University College Birmingham: common questions

Is Southampton, Solent University or University College Birmingham cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,080 a year at Southampton, Solent University and £13,500 at University College Birmingham: University College Birmingham is about £5,580 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,350 a year at Southampton, Solent University and £17,000 at University College Birmingham: University College Birmingham is about £1,350 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 Southampton, Solent University and University College Birmingham?

Both universities teach 22 subject areas: Design & Fashion, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Business Studies, Business & Management (General), Building & Construction, Computer Science, Sociology & Criminology, Finance & Actuarial Science, Software Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Health & Social Care and 10 more.

Is Southampton, Solent University or University College Birmingham better for Design & Fashion?

Design & Fashion graduates earn a median £20,500 three years after graduating from Southampton, Solent University, and £18,500 from University College Birmingham. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Southampton, Solent University or University College Birmingham offer more courses?

Southampton, Solent University lists 294 courses on CourseOptions and University College Birmingham lists 115 courses.

What can you study at Southampton, Solent University but not at University College Birmingham?

Southampton, Solent University teaches 20 subject areas that University College Birmingham does not, including Accounting, Film Production & Cinematography, Law, Music, Media & Film Studies, Social Sciences (General), Games Design & Computer Animation, Management and 12 more.

What can you study at University College Birmingham but not at Southampton, Solent University?

University College Birmingham teaches 14 subject areas that Southampton, Solent University does not, including Food Science, Food Production & Technology, Planning & Housing, Civil Engineering, Clinical & Health Psychology, Complementary & Alternative Medicine, Creative Arts (General), Developmental & Educational Psychology and 6 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

S
Southampton, Solent University294 courses · 11 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University College Birmingham115 courses · 7 scholarshipsBrowse Courses