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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.

U
Ulster University

Belfast · QS World #595

U
University College Birmingham

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

Ulster

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

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 (established, satisfaction, international, scholarship). Ulster University is ahead on employment, courses.

Ulster University vs University College Birmingham at a glance

Ulster University and University College Birmingham both teach 24 subject areas, the largest being Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Sport & Exercise Sciences and Business Studies. Ulster University offers 170 courses across 66 subject areas; University College Birmingham offers 115 courses across 36 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,490 a year at Ulster University and £13,500 at University College Birmingham: University College Birmingham is about £3,990 a year cheaper.

Of the 14 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University College Birmingham is higher in 8 and Ulster University in 4, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#595
QS World
—
#601
THE World
—
#60
Guardian UK
—
1968
Established
1957
No
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.

Ulster University

University College Birmingham

86.4%
88.3%

Satisfaction

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

No data
£25,600

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.6%
77.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

32.5%
47%

International

International student share

170
115

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
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.

Ulster

45 countries · 32.5% international

  • 🇵🇰Pakistan27.8%
  • 🇮🇪Ireland21.4%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria16.1%
  • 🇮🇳India12.6%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh8.6%
VS

University College Birmingham

26 countries · 47% international

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

Subjects

24 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.

Ulster University

University College Birmingham

Also taught at both: Software Engineering, Architecture, Complementary & Alternative Medicine, Creative Arts (General), Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Politics & International Relations, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Public Health & Epidemiology.

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

Ulster University
£17,490
University College Birmingham
£13,500

University College Birmingham is about £3,990 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Ulster University
No data
University College Birmingham
£17,000

We do not have reliable international fee data for Ulster University 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.

Ulster University

University College Birmingham

  • Hospitality, Events & Tourism

    No dataSalary (3 years)£20,000
    96%Satisfaction93%
  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    No dataSalary (3 years)£20,500
    82%Satisfaction96%
  • Business Studies

    No dataSalary (3 years)£21,000
    83%Satisfaction86%
  • Building & Construction

    No dataSalary (3 years)No data
    85%Satisfaction91%
  • Computer Science

    No dataSalary (3 years)No data
    79%Satisfaction87%
  • Health & Social Care

    No dataSalary (3 years)£20,500
    91%Satisfaction94%
  • Marketing

    No dataSalary (3 years)£20,000
    85%Satisfaction85%
  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    No dataSalary (3 years)£20,000
    84%Satisfaction89%
  • Planning & Housing

    No dataSalary (3 years)No data
    93%Satisfaction91%
  • Software Engineering

    No dataSalary (3 years)No data
    85%Satisfaction89%
  • Architecture

    No dataSalary (3 years)No data
    91%Satisfaction91%
  • Complementary & Alternative Medicine

    No dataSalary (3 years)No data
    93%Satisfaction78%

Showing the 12 largest of 14 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Ulster University

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

Ulster University vs University College Birmingham: common questions

Is Ulster University or University College Birmingham cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,490 a year at Ulster University and £13,500 at University College Birmingham: University College Birmingham is about £3,990 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 Ulster University and University College Birmingham?

Both universities teach 24 subject areas: Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Business Studies, Building & Construction, Sociology & Criminology, Computer Science, Design & Fashion, Health & Social Care, Civil Engineering, Marketing, Finance & Actuarial Science, Mechanical Engineering and 12 more.

Does Ulster University or University College Birmingham offer more courses?

Ulster University lists 170 courses on CourseOptions and University College Birmingham lists 115 courses.

What can you study at Ulster University but not at University College Birmingham?

Ulster University teaches 42 subject areas that University College Birmingham does not, including Law, Accounting, Social Work, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Irish Studies, Journalism, Music, Biomedical Sciences and 34 more.

What can you study at University College Birmingham but not at Ulster University?

University College Birmingham teaches 12 subject areas that Ulster University does not, including Food Science, Business & Management (General), Childhood & Youth Studies, Food Production & Technology, Crafts & Applied Arts, Education Studies, Adult Nursing, Applied Psychology and 4 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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