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.
Belfast · QS World #595
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
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.
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
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.
Ulster
45 countries · 32.5% international
- 🇵🇰Pakistan27.8%
- 🇮🇪Ireland21.4%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria16.1%
- 🇮🇳India12.6%
- 🇧🇩Bangladesh8.6%
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
Hospitality, Events & Tourism
3 coursesTypical fee £17,490 (UG)
15 coursesTypical fee £13,500 (UG)
Sport & Exercise Sciences
Business Studies
Building & Construction
Sociology & Criminology
Computer Science
Design & Fashion
Health & Social Care
Civil Engineering
Marketing
Finance & Actuarial Science
Mechanical Engineering
Planning & Housing
Nutrition & Dietetics
Psychology (General)
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.
Only at Ulster University
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
- 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)£20,00096%Satisfaction93%Sport & Exercise Sciences
No dataSalary (3 years)£20,50082%Satisfaction96%Business Studies
No dataSalary (3 years)£21,00083%Satisfaction86%Building & Construction
No dataSalary (3 years)No data85%Satisfaction91%Computer Science
No dataSalary (3 years)No data79%Satisfaction87%Health & Social Care
No dataSalary (3 years)£20,50091%Satisfaction94%Marketing
No dataSalary (3 years)£20,00085%Satisfaction85%Finance & Actuarial Science
No dataSalary (3 years)£20,00084%Satisfaction89%Planning & Housing
No dataSalary (3 years)No data93%Satisfaction91%Software Engineering
No dataSalary (3 years)No data85%Satisfaction89%Architecture
No dataSalary (3 years)No data91%Satisfaction91%Complementary & Alternative Medicine
No dataSalary (3 years)No data93%Satisfaction78%
Showing the 12 largest of 14 shared subjects with published outcomes.
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveUlster 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
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.