Skip to main content

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 of Birmingham

Birmingham · QS World #68

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 9 datapoints

We looked at 9 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

4/9

Southampton

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

5/9

Birmingham

scored higher in 5 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Birmingham leads in 5 of 9 categories where both have data (Russell Group, employment, international, graduate salary, courses). Southampton, Solent University is ahead on TEF, established, satisfaction, scholarship.

Southampton, Solent University vs University of Birmingham at a glance

Southampton, Solent University and University of Birmingham both teach 33 subject areas, the largest being Law, Sport & Exercise Sciences and Business & Management (General). Southampton, Solent University offers 294 courses across 42 subject areas; University of Birmingham offers 663 courses across 101 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,080 a year at Southampton, Solent University and £27,090 at University of Birmingham: Southampton, Solent University is about £8,010 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,350 a year at Southampton, Solent University and £23,390 at University of Birmingham: Southampton, Solent University is about £5,040 a year cheaper.

Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Birmingham is higher in 21 and Southampton, Solent University in 1. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £25,000 three years after graduating from Southampton, Solent University, against £40,000 from University of Birmingham. Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Southampton, Solent University is higher in 15 and University of Birmingham in 3, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
#68
—
THE World
#98
—
Guardian UK
#18
1855
Established
1900
No
Russell Group
Yes
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 of Birmingham

88.2%
86.7%

Satisfaction

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

£28,100
£38,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.5%
83.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

14.9%
31.2%

International

International student share

294
663

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

11
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.

Southampton

56 countries · 14.9% international

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

Birmingham

104 countries · 31.2% international

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

Subjects

33 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 of Birmingham

Also taught at both: Education Studies, Mathematics, Psychology (General), Biomedical Sciences, Chemical Engineering, Management, Social Sciences (General), Mechanical Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, General Engineering, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Software Engineering, Childhood & Youth Studies, Drama & Theatre, Social Work, Applied Psychology, Adult Nursing, Information Systems & Data Science.

Only at Southampton, Solent University

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

Southampton, Solent University
£19,080
University of Birmingham
£27,090

Southampton, Solent University is about £8,010 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Southampton, Solent University
£18,350
University of Birmingham
£23,390

Southampton, Solent University is about £5,040 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 of Birmingham

  • Law

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    96%Satisfaction83%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £22,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    95%Satisfaction88%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£35,000
    87%Satisfaction79%

  • Business Studies

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£35,000
    93%Satisfaction77%

  • Music

    £18,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    93%Satisfaction89%

  • Accounting

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£37,000
    No dataSatisfaction84%

  • Computer Science

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£40,000
    84%Satisfaction93%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    88%Satisfaction83%

  • Hospitality, Events & Tourism

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    77%Satisfaction80%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £19,500Salary (3 years)No data
    91%Satisfaction95%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£35,000
    81%Satisfaction80%

  • Psychology (General)

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    89%Satisfaction90%

Showing the 12 largest of 23 shared subjects with published outcomes.

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 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

Southampton, Solent University vs University of Birmingham: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,080 a year at Southampton, Solent University and £27,090 at University of Birmingham: Southampton, Solent University is about £8,010 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,350 a year at Southampton, Solent University and £23,390 at University of Birmingham: Southampton, Solent University is about £5,040 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 of Birmingham?

Both universities teach 33 subject areas: Law, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Business & Management (General), Politics & International Relations, Business Studies, Music, Accounting, Computer Science, Sociology & Criminology, Health & Social Care, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Media & Film Studies and 21 more.

Is Southampton, Solent University or University of Birmingham better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £21,500 three years after graduating from Southampton, Solent University, and £27,500 from University of Birmingham. Student satisfaction with teaching is 96% at Southampton, Solent University and 83% at University of Birmingham. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Birmingham lists 663 courses on CourseOptions and Southampton, Solent University lists 294 courses.

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

Southampton, Solent University teaches 9 subject areas that University of Birmingham does not, including Design & Fashion, Building & Construction, Games Design & Computer Animation, Architecture, Journalism, Technology & Logistics, Crafts & Applied Arts, Fine Art and 1 more.

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

University of Birmingham teaches 68 subject areas that Southampton, Solent University does not, including History, Philosophy, Teacher Training, Civil Engineering, Geology & Earth Sciences, International Development, Physics, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science and 60 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 of Birmingham663 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses