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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.

T
The University of Edinburgh

Edinburgh · QS World #35

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

Edinburgh

scored higher in 6 categories

VS

2/8

University College Birmingham

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

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

The University of Edinburgh vs University College Birmingham at a glance

The University of Edinburgh and University College Birmingham both teach 28 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Business Studies and Sociology & Criminology. The University of Edinburgh offers 936 courses across 116 subject areas; University College Birmingham offers 115 courses across 36 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,600 a year at The University of Edinburgh and £13,500 at University College Birmingham: University College Birmingham is about £16,100 a year cheaper.

Of the 5 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, The University of Edinburgh is higher in 5 and University College Birmingham in 0. The widest gap is in Business Studies: £31,000 three years after graduating from The University of Edinburgh, against £21,000 from University College Birmingham. Of the 7 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University College Birmingham is higher in 5 and The University of Edinburgh in 1, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#35
QS World
—
#29
THE World
—
#17
Guardian UK
—
1583
Established
1957
Yes
Russell Group
No
—
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

The University of Edinburgh

University College Birmingham

85.3%
88.3%

Satisfaction

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

£37,600
£25,600

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83%
77.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

41.6%
47%

International

International student share

936
115

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

112
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.

Edinburgh

122 countries · 41.6% international

  • 🇨🇳China44.5%
  • 🇺🇸United States9.3%
  • 🇮🇳India5.4%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia2.7%
  • 🇨🇦Canada2.4%
VS

University College Birmingham

26 countries · 47% international

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

Subjects

28 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 University of Edinburgh

University College Birmingham

Also taught at both: Creative Arts (General), Health & Social Care, Applied Psychology, Childhood & Youth Studies, Clinical & Health Psychology, Mechanical Engineering, Crafts & Applied Arts, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Marketing, Adult Nursing, Software Engineering, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Mental Health Nursing.

Only at The University of Edinburgh

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 University of Edinburgh
£29,600
University College Birmingham
£13,500

University College Birmingham is about £16,100 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

The University of Edinburgh
No data
University College Birmingham
£17,000

We do not have reliable international fee data for The University of Edinburgh yet.

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 University of Edinburgh

University College Birmingham

  • Computer Science

    £37,000Salary (3 years)No data
    74%Satisfaction87%

  • Business Studies

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    80%Satisfaction86%

  • Design & Fashion

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£18,500
    90%SatisfactionNo data

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£20,500
    92%Satisfaction96%

  • Architecture

    £24,000Salary (3 years)No data
    93%Satisfaction91%

  • Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning

    £33,500Salary (3 years)No data
    79%Satisfaction86%

  • Creative Arts (General)

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£18,500
    93%SatisfactionNo data

  • Crafts & Applied Arts

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£18,500
    89%Satisfaction89%

  • Software Engineering

    £37,000Salary (3 years)No data
    79%Satisfaction89%

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

The University of Edinburgh

Asylum Seeker Scholarship

£21,000

Deadline: N/A

Education Beyond Borders postgraduate scholarship

£20,780

Deadline: N/A

Cameron Law Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Online Learning Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Rosedale OSSD University of Edinburgh Scholarship

£10,000

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

The University of Edinburgh vs University College Birmingham: common questions

Is The University of Edinburgh or University College Birmingham cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,600 a year at The University of Edinburgh and £13,500 at University College Birmingham: University College Birmingham is about £16,100 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 University of Edinburgh and University College Birmingham?

Both universities teach 28 subject areas: Computer Science, Business Studies, Sociology & Criminology, Design & Fashion, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Education Studies, Psychology (General), Civil Engineering, Politics & International Relations, Architecture, Building & Construction, Finance & Actuarial Science and 16 more.

Is The University of Edinburgh or University College Birmingham better for Business Studies?

Business Studies graduates earn a median £31,000 three years after graduating from The University of Edinburgh, and £21,000 from University College Birmingham. Student satisfaction with teaching is 80% at The University of Edinburgh and 86% at University College Birmingham. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does The University of Edinburgh or University College Birmingham offer more courses?

The University of Edinburgh lists 936 courses on CourseOptions and University College Birmingham lists 115 courses.

What can you study at The University of Edinburgh but not at University College Birmingham?

The University of Edinburgh teaches 88 subject areas that University College Birmingham does not, including Law, Theology & Religious Studies, German & Scandinavian Studies, Medicine, Teacher Training, History, Mathematics, Physics and 80 more.

What can you study at University College Birmingham but not at The University of Edinburgh?

University College Birmingham teaches 8 subject areas that The University of Edinburgh does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Food Science, Food Production & Technology, Planning & Housing, Complementary & Alternative Medicine, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Business Information Systems and Nutrition & Dietetics.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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The University of Edinburgh936 courses · 112 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University College Birmingham115 courses · 7 scholarshipsBrowse Courses