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.
Southend-on-Sea
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
University Centre South Essex
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, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University Centre South Essex is ahead on satisfaction, employment.
University Centre South Essex vs University College Birmingham at a glance
University Centre South Essex and University College Birmingham both teach 8 subject areas, the largest being Sport & Exercise Sciences, Crafts & Applied Arts and Business & Management (General). University Centre South Essex offers 25 courses across 18 subject areas; University College Birmingham offers 115 courses across 36 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,930 a year at University Centre South Essex and £13,500 at University College Birmingham: University College Birmingham is about £4,430 a year cheaper.
Of the 5 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University Centre South Essex is higher in 2 and University College Birmingham in 1, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Sport & Exercise Sciences: £24,500 three years after graduating from University Centre South Essex, against £20,500 from University College Birmingham. Of the 2 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University Centre South Essex is higher in 1 and University College Birmingham in 1.
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.
University Centre South Essex
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.
University Centre South Essex
No published data on international students
University College Birmingham
26 countries · 47% international
- 🌐Nepal48.9%
- 🇮🇳India24.7%
- 🇨🇳China11.5%
- 🇧🇩Bangladesh3.8%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan3.3%
Subjects
8 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.
University Centre South Essex
University College Birmingham
Sport & Exercise Sciences
Crafts & Applied Arts
Business & Management (General)
Design & Fashion
Sociology & Criminology
Education Studies
Psychology (General)
Manufacturing & Production Engineering
Only at University Centre South Essex
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
- University Centre South Essex
- £17,930
- University College Birmingham
- £13,500
University College Birmingham is about £4,430 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- University Centre South Essex
- No data
- University College Birmingham
- £17,000
We do not have reliable international fee data for University Centre South Essex 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.
University Centre South Essex
University College Birmingham
Sport & Exercise Sciences
£24,500Salary (3 years)£20,50075%Satisfaction96%Crafts & Applied Arts
£18,500Salary (3 years)£18,500100%Satisfaction89%Business & Management (General)
£19,000Salary (3 years)£20,000No dataSatisfaction93%Design & Fashion
£18,500Salary (3 years)£18,500100%SatisfactionNo dataEducation Studies
£20,000Salary (3 years)£17,000No dataSatisfaction98%
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveUniversity Centre South Essex
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
University Centre South Essex vs University College Birmingham: common questions
Is University Centre South Essex or University College Birmingham cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,930 a year at University Centre South Essex and £13,500 at University College Birmingham: University College Birmingham is about £4,430 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 University Centre South Essex and University College Birmingham?
Both universities teach 8 subject areas: Sport & Exercise Sciences, Crafts & Applied Arts, Business & Management (General), Design & Fashion, Sociology & Criminology, Education Studies, Psychology (General) and Manufacturing & Production Engineering.
Is University Centre South Essex or University College Birmingham better for Sport & Exercise Sciences?
Sport & Exercise Sciences graduates earn a median £24,500 three years after graduating from University Centre South Essex, and £20,500 from University College Birmingham. Student satisfaction with teaching is 75% at University Centre South Essex and 96% at University College Birmingham. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does University Centre South Essex or University College Birmingham offer more courses?
University College Birmingham lists 115 courses on CourseOptions and University Centre South Essex lists 25 courses.
What can you study at University Centre South Essex but not at University College Birmingham?
University Centre South Essex teaches 10 subject areas that University College Birmingham does not, including Drama & Theatre, Film Production & Cinematography, Accounting, Computing & IT, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Dance, Fine Art, Games Design & Computer Animation and 2 more.
What can you study at University College Birmingham but not at University Centre South Essex?
University College Birmingham teaches 28 subject areas that University Centre South Essex does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Building & Construction, Food Science, Business Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Health & Social Care, Childhood & Youth Studies, Food Production & Technology and 20 more.
Ready to explore courses?
Browse available courses, check entry requirements, and find scholarships at each university.