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.

U
UCL (University College London)

Camden · QS World #8

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.

7/8

UCL (University College London)

scored higher in 7 categories

VS

1/8

University College Birmingham

scored higher in 1 category

Quick Verdict

UCL (University College London) leads in 7 of 8 categories where both have data (Russell Group, established, employment, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University College Birmingham is ahead on satisfaction.

UCL (University College London) vs University College Birmingham at a glance

UCL (University College London) and University College Birmingham both teach 28 subject areas, the largest being Childhood & Youth Studies, Psychology (General) and Computer Science. UCL (University College London) offers 1,131 courses across 109 subject areas; University College Birmingham offers 115 courses across 36 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,800 a year at UCL (University College London) and £13,500 at University College Birmingham: University College Birmingham is about £16,300 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £34,700 a year at UCL (University College London) and £17,000 at University College Birmingham: University College Birmingham is about £17,700 a year cheaper.

Of the 5 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, UCL (University College London) is higher in 4 and University College Birmingham in 0, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Childhood & Youth Studies: £41,500 three years after graduating from UCL (University College London), against £20,500 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 UCL (University College London) in 1, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#8
QS World
—
#22
THE World
—
#9
Guardian UK
—
1826
Established
1957
Yes
Russell Group
No
Silver
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

UCL (University College London)

University College Birmingham

86.5%
88.3%

Satisfaction

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

£46,400
£25,600

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

80.4%
77.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

51.9%
47%

International

International student share

1131
115

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

18
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.

UCL (University College London)

127 countries · 51.9% international

  • 🇨🇳China53.3%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.9%
  • 🇺🇸United States4.2%
  • 🇮🇳India3.4%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore2.4%
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.

UCL (University College London)

University College Birmingham

Also taught at both: Public Health & Epidemiology, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Software Engineering, Business Studies, Mental Health Nursing, Nutrition & Dietetics, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Marketing, Clinical & Health Psychology, Creative Arts (General).

Only at UCL (University College London)

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

UCL (University College London)
£29,800
University College Birmingham
£13,500

University College Birmingham is about £16,300 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

UCL (University College London)
£34,700
University College Birmingham
£17,000

University College Birmingham is about £17,700 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.

UCL (University College London)

University College Birmingham

  • Childhood & Youth Studies

    £41,500Salary (3 years)£20,500
    84%Satisfaction98%

  • Computer Science

    £51,000Salary (3 years)No data
    80%Satisfaction87%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    93%Satisfaction93%

  • Planning & Housing

    £33,000Salary (3 years)No data
    84%Satisfaction91%

  • Building & Construction

    £37,000Salary (3 years)No data
    90%Satisfaction91%

  • Architecture

    £27,000Salary (3 years)No data
    95%Satisfaction91%

  • Education Studies

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£17,000
    No dataSatisfaction98%

  • Business Studies

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    85%Satisfaction86%

  • Creative Arts (General)

    £18,500Salary (3 years)£18,500
    96%SatisfactionNo data

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

UCL (University College London)

Commercial Bar Opportunity Scholarship

£25,000

Deadline: N/A

AHRC Doctoral Landscape Award

100%

Deadline: N/A

UCL Department of Arts and Sciences (UASc) Interdisciplinary Excellence PhD Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Law Society Pro Bono Bursary

£250

Deadline: N/A

Alonso Gurmendi Dunkelberg, UCL Graduate Research Scholarship

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

UCL (University College London) vs University College Birmingham: common questions

Is UCL (University College London) or University College Birmingham cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,800 a year at UCL (University College London) and £13,500 at University College Birmingham: University College Birmingham is about £16,300 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £34,700 a year at UCL (University College London) and £17,000 at University College Birmingham: University College Birmingham is about £17,700 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 UCL (University College London) and University College Birmingham?

Both universities teach 28 subject areas: Childhood & Youth Studies, Psychology (General), Computer Science, Sociology & Criminology, Business & Management (General), Planning & Housing, Politics & International Relations, Building & Construction, Civil Engineering, Architecture, Design & Fashion, Health & Social Care and 16 more.

Is UCL (University College London) or University College Birmingham better for Childhood & Youth Studies?

Childhood & Youth Studies graduates earn a median £41,500 three years after graduating from UCL (University College London), and £20,500 from University College Birmingham. Student satisfaction with teaching is 84% at UCL (University College London) and 98% at University College Birmingham. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does UCL (University College London) or University College Birmingham offer more courses?

UCL (University College London) lists 1,131 courses on CourseOptions and University College Birmingham lists 115 courses.

What can you study at UCL (University College London) but not at University College Birmingham?

UCL (University College London) teaches 81 subject areas that University College Birmingham does not, including German & Scandinavian Studies, Eastern European Languages, Ancient Languages, Mathematics, Biomedical Sciences, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Economics, French and 73 more.

What can you study at University College Birmingham but not at UCL (University College London)?

University College Birmingham teaches 8 subject areas that UCL (University College London) does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Food Science, Food Production & Technology, Crafts & Applied Arts, Adult Nursing, Applied Psychology, Complementary & Alternative Medicine and Business Information Systems.

Ready to explore courses?

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

U
UCL (University College London)1,131 courses · 18 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University College Birmingham115 courses · 7 scholarshipsBrowse Courses