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.
Hartlepool
Birmingham
Head-to-Head Summary
Based on 6 datapoints
We looked at 6 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.
2/6
Northern School of Art
scored higher in 2 categories
4/6
University College Birmingham
scored higher in 4 categories
Quick Verdict
University College Birmingham leads in 4 of 6 categories where both have data (satisfaction, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). The Northern School of Art is ahead on TEF, established.
The Northern School of Art vs University College Birmingham at a glance
The Northern School of Art and University College Birmingham both teach 2 subject areas, the largest being Design & Fashion and Creative Arts (General). The Northern School of Art offers 18 courses across 6 subject areas; University College Birmingham offers 115 courses across 36 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £13,500 a year at The Northern School of Art and £13,500 at University College Birmingham, so the two cost about the same. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £13,500 a year at The Northern School of Art and £17,000 at University College Birmingham: The Northern School of Art is about £3,500 a year cheaper.
In Design & Fashion, the one shared subject where both publish a graduate salary, University College Birmingham is higher.
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.
The Northern School of Art
University College 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.
Northern School of Art
No published data on international students
University College Birmingham
26 countries · 47% international
- 🌐Nepal48.9%
- 🇮🇳India24.7%
- 🇨🇳China11.5%
- 🇧🇩Bangladesh3.8%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan3.3%
Subjects
2 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.
The Northern School of Art
University College Birmingham
Design & Fashion
Creative Arts (General)
Only at The Northern School of Art
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
- The Northern School of Art
- £13,500
- University College Birmingham
- £13,500
About the same.
Postgraduate
- The Northern School of Art
- £13,500
- University College Birmingham
- £17,000
The Northern School of Art is about £3,500 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.
The Northern School of Art
University College Birmingham
Design & Fashion
£16,000Salary (3 years)£18,50087%SatisfactionNo data
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveThe Northern School of Art
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
FAQ
The Northern School of Art vs University College Birmingham: common questions
Is The Northern School of Art or University College Birmingham cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £13,500 a year at The Northern School of Art and £13,500 at University College Birmingham, so the two cost about the same. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £13,500 a year at The Northern School of Art and £17,000 at University College Birmingham: The Northern School of Art is about £3,500 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 The Northern School of Art and University College Birmingham?
Both universities teach 2 subject areas: Design & Fashion and Creative Arts (General).
Is The Northern School of Art or University College Birmingham better for Design & Fashion?
Design & Fashion graduates earn a median £16,000 three years after graduating from The Northern School of Art, and £18,500 from University College Birmingham. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does The Northern School of Art or University College Birmingham offer more courses?
University College Birmingham lists 115 courses on CourseOptions and The Northern School of Art lists 18 courses.
What can you study at The Northern School of Art but not at University College Birmingham?
The Northern School of Art teaches 4 subject areas that University College Birmingham does not, including Drama & Theatre, Film Production & Cinematography, Fine Art and History of Art & Design.
What can you study at University College Birmingham but not at The Northern School of Art?
University College Birmingham teaches 34 subject areas that The Northern School of Art does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Building & Construction, Food Science, Business Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Health & Social Care, Business & Management (General) and 26 more.
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