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.
Birmingham
Cambridge · QS World #6
Head-to-Head Summary
Based on 9 datapoints
We looked at 9 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.
3/9
University College Birmingham
scored higher in 3 categories
6/9
Cambridge
scored higher in 6 categories
Quick Verdict
University of Cambridge leads in 6 of 9 categories where both have data (Russell Group, TEF, established, satisfaction, graduate salary, courses). University College Birmingham is ahead on employment, international, scholarship.
University College Birmingham vs University of Cambridge at a glance
University College Birmingham and University of Cambridge both teach 18 subject areas, the largest being Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Childhood & Youth Studies and Sociology & Criminology. University College Birmingham offers 115 courses across 36 subject areas; University of Cambridge offers 336 courses across 79 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £13,500 a year at University College Birmingham and £32,890 at University of Cambridge: University College Birmingham is about £19,390 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,000 a year at University College Birmingham and £41,300 at University of Cambridge: University College Birmingham is about £24,300 a year cheaper.
Of the 4 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University College Birmingham is higher in 3 and University of Cambridge 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 College Birmingham
University of Cambridge
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 College Birmingham
26 countries · 47% international
- 🌐Nepal48.9%
- 🇮🇳India24.7%
- 🇨🇳China11.5%
- 🇧🇩Bangladesh3.8%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan3.3%
Cambridge
96 countries · 32.2% international
- 🇨🇳China28.2%
- 🇺🇸United States10.3%
- 🇸🇬Singapore6.6%
- 🇭🇰Hong Kong5.3%
- 🇮🇳India4.7%
Subjects
18 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 College Birmingham
University of Cambridge
Hospitality, Events & Tourism
15 coursesTypical fee £13,500 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £42,300 (PG)
Childhood & Youth Studies
4 coursesTypical fee £13,500 (UG)
10 coursesTypical fee £43,520 (PG)
Sociology & Criminology
Business & Management (General)
Building & Construction
Finance & Actuarial Science
Politics & International Relations
Architecture
Computer Science
Psychology (General)
Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
Business Studies
Health & Social Care
Planning & Housing
Education Studies
Also taught at both: Software Engineering, Civil Engineering, Clinical & Health Psychology.
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
- University College Birmingham
- £13,500
- University of Cambridge
- £32,890
University College Birmingham is about £19,390 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- University College Birmingham
- £17,000
- University of Cambridge
- £41,300
University College Birmingham is about £24,300 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.
University College Birmingham
University of Cambridge
Architecture
No dataSalary (3 years)£38,00091%Satisfaction88%Computer Science
No dataSalary (3 years)£63,50087%Satisfaction94%Planning & Housing
No dataSalary (3 years)£48,00091%Satisfaction89%Education Studies
£17,000Salary (3 years)No data98%Satisfaction92%
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveUniversity 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
University of Cambridge
View all scholarships →FAQ
University College Birmingham vs University of Cambridge: common questions
Is University College Birmingham or University of Cambridge cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £13,500 a year at University College Birmingham and £32,890 at University of Cambridge: University College Birmingham is about £19,390 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,000 a year at University College Birmingham and £41,300 at University of Cambridge: University College Birmingham is about £24,300 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 College Birmingham and University of Cambridge?
Both universities teach 18 subject areas: Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Childhood & Youth Studies, Sociology & Criminology, Business & Management (General), Building & Construction, Finance & Actuarial Science, Politics & International Relations, Architecture, Computer Science, Psychology (General), Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Business Studies and 6 more.
Does University College Birmingham or University of Cambridge offer more courses?
University of Cambridge lists 336 courses on CourseOptions and University College Birmingham lists 115 courses.
What can you study at University College Birmingham but not at University of Cambridge?
University College Birmingham teaches 18 subject areas that University of Cambridge does not, including Sport & Exercise Sciences, Food Science, Food Production & Technology, Crafts & Applied Arts, Marketing, Adult Nursing, Applied Psychology, Complementary & Alternative Medicine and 10 more.
What can you study at University of Cambridge but not at University College Birmingham?
University of Cambridge teaches 61 subject areas that University College Birmingham does not, including Biological Sciences (General), History, Asian Languages & Studies, General Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Mathematics, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Economics and 53 more.
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