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
Swansea University

Swansea · QS World #322

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.

2/11

Swansea

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

9/11

Birmingham

scored higher in 9 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Birmingham leads in 9 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary). Swansea University is ahead on courses, scholarship.

Swansea University vs University of Birmingham at a glance

Swansea University and University of Birmingham both teach 78 subject areas, the largest being Law, Politics & International Relations and Business & Management (General). Swansea University offers 916 courses across 97 subject areas; University of Birmingham offers 663 courses across 101 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,550 a year at Swansea University and £27,090 at University of Birmingham: Swansea University is about £5,540 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,950 a year at Swansea University and £23,390 at University of Birmingham: Swansea University is about £440 a year cheaper.

Of the 41 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Birmingham is higher in 39 and Swansea University in 2. The widest gap is in Accounting: £25,000 three years after graduating from Swansea University, against £37,000 from University of Birmingham. Of the 40 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Swansea University is higher in 24 and University of Birmingham in 16.

World & National Rankings

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

#322
QS World
#68
#301
THE World
#98
#32
Guardian UK
#18
1920
Established
1900
No
Russell Group
Yes
—
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Swansea University

University of Birmingham

86.1%
86.7%

Satisfaction

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

£31,800
£38,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

78.5%
83.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

14.1%
31.2%

International

International student share

916
663

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

5
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.

Swansea

73 countries · 14.1% international

  • 🇮🇳India25.4%
  • 🇨🇳China12.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria8.2%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia4.5%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong3.9%
VS

Birmingham

104 countries · 31.2% international

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

Subjects

78 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.

Swansea University

University of Birmingham

Also taught at both: Business Studies, Philosophy, Biomedical Sciences, Media & Film Studies, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Psychology (General), General Engineering, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Chemistry, Classical Studies, Biochemistry, Genetics & Genomics, Childhood & Youth Studies, Geology & Earth Sciences, Marketing, Biology, Mechanical Engineering, Accounting, English Literature, Environmental Sciences, International Development, Aerospace Engineering, Archaeology, Social Policy & Public Policy, English Language, Human Geography & Environment, Nursing (General), English Studies, Linguistics, Physical Geography & Climate, Social Work, Theology & Religious Studies, Geography (General), Materials Engineering, Medicine, Public Health & Epidemiology, Creative Writing, Planning & Housing, Adult Nursing, Biotechnology, Clinical Specialities, Management, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Pharmacy, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Clinical & Health Psychology, Computing & IT, Healthcare Science, Heritage & Conservation, Human Resource Management, Mental Health Nursing, Midwifery, Social Sciences (General), Applied Psychology, Biological Sciences (General), Information Systems & Data Science, Materials Science, Software Engineering, Toxicology, Anatomy & Pathology, Children's Nursing, Counselling & Psychotherapy.

Only at Swansea 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

Swansea University
£21,550
University of Birmingham
£27,090

Swansea University is about £5,540 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Swansea University
£22,950
University of Birmingham
£23,390

Swansea University is about £440 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.

Swansea University

University of Birmingham

  • Law

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    82%Satisfaction83%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    90%Satisfaction86%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£35,000
    No dataSatisfaction79%

  • History

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    90%Satisfaction89%

  • Computer Science

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£40,000
    84%Satisfaction93%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    87%Satisfaction83%

  • Health Sciences & Paramedic Science

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£31,500
    97%SatisfactionNo data

  • Physics

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    91%Satisfaction93%

  • Mathematics

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    86%Satisfaction85%

  • Economics

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£34,500
    90%Satisfaction85%

  • Civil Engineering

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    79%Satisfaction78%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£35,000
    90%Satisfaction80%

Showing the 12 largest of 43 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Swansea University

History and Heritage Studies: AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership Studentship (Fully Funded) in History with Museum Wales (RS950)

100%

Deadline: N/A

History: AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership Studentship (Fully Funded) in History with The National Archives (RS948)

100%

Deadline: N/A

History: AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership Studentship in History with Museum Wales (RS949)

See details

Deadline: N/A

PhD Studentship in Sustainable Fusion Steels: Whole Lifecycle Design of Tokamak Vacuum Vessel Steels (RS964)

See details

Deadline: N/A

Swansea University International Postgraduate Research Excellence Scholarships 2025/26

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

Swansea University vs University of Birmingham: common questions

Is Swansea University or University of Birmingham cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,550 a year at Swansea University and £27,090 at University of Birmingham: Swansea University is about £5,540 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,950 a year at Swansea University and £23,390 at University of Birmingham: Swansea University is about £440 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 Swansea University and University of Birmingham?

Both universities teach 78 subject areas: Law, Politics & International Relations, Business & Management (General), History, Computer Science, Teacher Training, Sociology & Criminology, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Physics, Mathematics, Economics, Civil Engineering and 66 more.

Is Swansea University or University of Birmingham better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £21,000 three years after graduating from Swansea University, and £27,500 from University of Birmingham. Student satisfaction with teaching is 82% at Swansea University and 83% at University of Birmingham. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Swansea University or University of Birmingham offer more courses?

Swansea University lists 916 courses on CourseOptions and University of Birmingham lists 663 courses.

What can you study at Swansea University but not at University of Birmingham?

Swansea University teaches 19 subject areas that University of Birmingham does not, including American & Comparative Studies, Medical Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, Ecology & Conservation, Pharmacology, Welsh Studies, Journalism, Zoology & Animal Biology and 11 more.

What can you study at University of Birmingham but not at Swansea University?

University of Birmingham teaches 23 subject areas that Swansea University does not, including Music, Ancient Languages, Microbiology & Cell Biology, History of Art & Design, French, Dentistry, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Anthropology and 15 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

S
Swansea University916 courses · 5 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Birmingham663 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses