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 of Birmingham

Birmingham · QS World #68

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 10 datapoints

We looked at 10 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

8/10

UCL (University College London)

scored higher in 8 categories

VS

2/10

Birmingham

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

UCL (University College London) leads in 8 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, established, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Birmingham is ahead on satisfaction, employment.

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

UCL (University College London) and University of Birmingham both teach 81 subject areas, the largest being German & Scandinavian Studies, Eastern European Languages and Childhood & Youth Studies. UCL (University College London) offers 1,131 courses across 109 subject areas; University of Birmingham offers 663 courses across 101 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,800 a year at UCL (University College London) and £27,090 at University of Birmingham: University of Birmingham is about £2,710 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £34,700 a year at UCL (University College London) and £23,390 at University of Birmingham: University of Birmingham is about £11,310 a year cheaper.

Of the 41 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, UCL (University College London) is higher in 41 and University of Birmingham in 0. The widest gap is in Law: £41,000 three years after graduating from UCL (University College London), against £27,500 from University of Birmingham. Of the 41 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, UCL (University College London) is higher in 23 and University of Birmingham in 16, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#8
QS World
#68
#22
THE World
#98
#9
Guardian UK
#18
1826
Established
1900
Yes
Russell Group
Yes
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 of Birmingham

86.5%
86.7%

Satisfaction

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

£46,400
£38,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

80.4%
83.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

51.9%
31.2%

International

International student share

1131
663

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

18
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.

UCL (University College London)

127 countries · 51.9% international

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

Birmingham

104 countries · 31.2% international

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

Subjects

81 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 of Birmingham

Also taught at both: Civil Engineering, Philosophy, Physics, Economics, French, Health & Social Care, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Planning & Housing, Management, Chemistry, General Engineering, Italian, Anthropology, Education Studies, Geography (General), Archaeology, Clinical Specialities, Dentistry, African & Middle Eastern Studies, International Development, Linguistics, Public Health & Epidemiology, Spanish & Portuguese, Finance & Actuarial Science, Media & Film Studies, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Human Geography & Environment, Marketing, Mechanical Engineering, Music, Social Policy & Public Policy, Theology & Religious Studies, Classical Studies, Medicine, Biochemistry, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, History of Art & Design, Biology, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Statistics, Business Studies, Pharmacy, English Language, English Studies, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Materials Science, Social Sciences (General), Biotechnology, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Mental Health Nursing, Software Engineering, Accounting, Biological Sciences (General), Computing & IT, Healthcare Science, Physical Geography & Climate, Anatomy & Pathology, Clinical & Health Psychology, Creative Writing, Genetics & Genomics, Heritage & Conservation, Information Systems & Data Science, Film Production & Cinematography, English Literature.

Only at UCL (University College London)

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

UCL (University College London)
£29,800
University of Birmingham
£27,090

University of Birmingham is about £2,710 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

UCL (University College London)
£34,700
University of Birmingham
£23,390

University of Birmingham is about £11,310 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 of Birmingham

  • German & Scandinavian Studies

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    95%Satisfaction93%

  • Eastern European Languages

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    85%Satisfaction90%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    87%Satisfaction86%

  • Ancient Languages

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    92%Satisfaction91%

  • Mathematics

    £41,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    87%Satisfaction85%

  • Psychology (General)

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    90%Satisfaction90%

  • History

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    91%Satisfaction89%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £34,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    79%Satisfaction82%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£35,000
    93%Satisfaction79%

  • Computer Science

    £51,000Salary (3 years)£40,000
    80%Satisfaction93%

  • Geology & Earth Sciences

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    88%Satisfaction91%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    87%Satisfaction83%

Showing the 12 largest of 42 shared subjects with published outcomes.

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 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

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

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,800 a year at UCL (University College London) and £27,090 at University of Birmingham: University of Birmingham is about £2,710 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £34,700 a year at UCL (University College London) and £23,390 at University of Birmingham: University of Birmingham is about £11,310 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 of Birmingham?

Both universities teach 81 subject areas: German & Scandinavian Studies, Eastern European Languages, Childhood & Youth Studies, Politics & International Relations, Ancient Languages, Mathematics, Psychology (General), Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, History, Biomedical Sciences, Business & Management (General), Computer Science and 69 more.

Is UCL (University College London) or University of Birmingham better for German & Scandinavian Studies?

German & Scandinavian Studies graduates earn a median £31,000 three years after graduating from UCL (University College London), and £26,500 from University of Birmingham. Student satisfaction with teaching is 95% at UCL (University College London) and 93% at University of Birmingham. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

UCL (University College London) lists 1,131 courses on CourseOptions and University of Birmingham lists 663 courses.

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

UCL (University College London) teaches 28 subject areas that University of Birmingham does not, including Architecture, Design & Fashion, Building & Construction, Ecology & Conservation, Specialist Clinical Nursing, Fine Art, Forensic Science, Pharmacology and 20 more.

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

University of Birmingham teaches 20 subject areas that UCL (University College London) does not, including Teacher Training, Environmental Sciences, Nursing (General), Drama & Theatre, Social Work, Author Studies & Literary Specialisms, Adult Nursing, Applied Psychology and 12 more.

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 of Birmingham663 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses