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
Lancaster · Guardian UK #101
Head-to-Head Summary
Based on 7 datapoints
We looked at 7 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.
4/7
University College Birmingham
scored higher in 4 categories
3/7
Cumbria
scored higher in 3 categories
Quick Verdict
University College Birmingham leads in 4 of 7 categories where both have data (established, satisfaction, international, scholarship). University of Cumbria is ahead on employment, graduate salary, courses.
University College Birmingham vs University of Cumbria at a glance
University College Birmingham and University of Cumbria both teach 16 subject areas, the largest being Childhood & Youth Studies, Hospitality, Events & Tourism and Sport & Exercise Sciences. University College Birmingham offers 115 courses across 36 subject areas; University of Cumbria offers 136 courses across 40 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £13,500 a year at University College Birmingham and £16,000 at University of Cumbria: University College Birmingham is about £2,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,000 a year at University College Birmingham and £16,900 at University of Cumbria, so the two cost about the same.
Of the 6 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Cumbria is higher in 3 and University College Birmingham in 2, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Health & Social Care: £20,500 three years after graduating from University College Birmingham, against £18,500 from University of Cumbria. Of the 8 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University College Birmingham is higher in 6 and University of Cumbria in 2.
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 Cumbria
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%
Cumbria
14 countries · 2.6% international
- 🇨🇦Canada14.9%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan14.9%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria10.6%
- 🇩🇪Germany8.5%
- 🇮🇪Ireland8.5%
Subjects
16 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 Cumbria
Childhood & Youth Studies
4 coursesTypical fee £13,500 (UG)
17 coursesTypical fee £31,000 (PG)
Hospitality, Events & Tourism
15 coursesTypical fee £13,500 (UG)
3 coursesTypical fee £16,000 (UG)
Sport & Exercise Sciences
8 coursesTypical fee £13,500 (UG)
10 coursesTypical fee £16,000 (UG)
Business & Management (General)
Business Studies
Design & Fashion
Psychology (General)
Health & Social Care
Sociology & Criminology
Mechanical Engineering
Education Studies
Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation
Adult Nursing
Computer Science
Applied Psychology
Also taught at both: Mental Health Nursing.
Only at University College Birmingham
Only at University of Cumbria
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 Cumbria
- £16,000
University College Birmingham is about £2,500 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- University College Birmingham
- £17,000
- University of Cumbria
- £16,900
About the same.
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 Cumbria
Hospitality, Events & Tourism
£20,000Salary (3 years)£21,00093%Satisfaction82%Sport & Exercise Sciences
£20,500Salary (3 years)£21,00096%Satisfaction84%Business & Management (General)
£20,000Salary (3 years)£21,00093%Satisfaction85%Business Studies
£21,000Salary (3 years)£21,00086%Satisfaction89%Design & Fashion
£18,500Salary (3 years)£17,000No dataSatisfaction74%Health & Social Care
£20,500Salary (3 years)£18,50094%Satisfaction73%Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation
No dataSalary (3 years)£28,50088%Satisfaction91%Adult Nursing
No dataSalary (3 years)£27,50091%Satisfaction74%Mental Health Nursing
No dataSalary (3 years)£28,50091%Satisfaction74%
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
FAQ
University College Birmingham vs University of Cumbria: common questions
Is University College Birmingham or University of Cumbria cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £13,500 a year at University College Birmingham and £16,000 at University of Cumbria: University College Birmingham is about £2,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,000 a year at University College Birmingham and £16,900 at University of Cumbria, so the two cost about the same. 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 Cumbria?
Both universities teach 16 subject areas: Childhood & Youth Studies, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Business & Management (General), Business Studies, Design & Fashion, Psychology (General), Health & Social Care, Sociology & Criminology, Mechanical Engineering, Education Studies, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation and 4 more.
Is University College Birmingham or University of Cumbria better for Hospitality, Events & Tourism?
Hospitality, Events & Tourism graduates earn a median £20,000 three years after graduating from University College Birmingham, and £21,000 from University of Cumbria. Student satisfaction with teaching is 93% at University College Birmingham and 82% at University of Cumbria. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does University College Birmingham or University of Cumbria offer more courses?
University of Cumbria lists 136 courses on CourseOptions and University College Birmingham lists 115 courses.
What can you study at University College Birmingham but not at University of Cumbria?
University College Birmingham teaches 20 subject areas that University of Cumbria does not, including Building & Construction, Food Science, Finance & Actuarial Science, Food Production & Technology, Planning & Housing, Crafts & Applied Arts, Marketing, Civil Engineering and 12 more.
What can you study at University of Cumbria but not at University College Birmingham?
University of Cumbria teaches 24 subject areas that University College Birmingham does not, including Film Production & Cinematography, Forestry & Arboriculture, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Ecology & Conservation, Human Geography & Environment, Law, Nursing (General), Zoology & Animal Biology and 16 more.
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