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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
University College Birmingham

Birmingham

U
University of Leeds

Leeds · QS World #77

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 8 datapoints

We looked at 8 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

2/8

University College Birmingham

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

6/8

Leeds

scored higher in 6 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Leeds leads in 6 of 8 categories where both have data (Russell Group, established, employment, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University College Birmingham is ahead on satisfaction, international.

University College Birmingham vs University of Leeds at a glance

University College Birmingham and University of Leeds both teach 28 subject areas, the largest being Civil Engineering, Business Studies and Computer Science. University College Birmingham offers 115 courses across 36 subject areas; University of Leeds offers 579 courses across 110 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £13,500 a year at University College Birmingham and £33,700 at University of Leeds: University College Birmingham is about £20,200 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,000 a year at University College Birmingham and £31,500 at University of Leeds: University College Birmingham is about £14,500 a year cheaper.

Of the 8 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Leeds is higher in 8 and University College Birmingham in 0. The widest gap is in Business Studies: £21,000 three years after graduating from University College Birmingham, against £36,000 from University of Leeds. Of the 11 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University College Birmingham is higher in 9 and University of Leeds in 2.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
#77
—
THE World
#118
—
Guardian UK
#15
1957
Established
1904
No
Russell Group
Yes
Silver
TEF Rating
Silver

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 Leeds

88.3%
85.7%

Satisfaction

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

£25,600
£37,200

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

77.8%
82.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

47%
31.5%

International

International student share

115
579

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

7
13

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%
VS

Leeds

105 countries · 31.5% international

  • 🇨🇳China49.5%
  • 🇮🇳India9.6%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.9%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.4%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.8%

Subjects

28 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 Leeds

Also taught at both: Mechanical Engineering, Nutrition & Dietetics, Planning & Housing, Psychology (General), Public Health & Epidemiology, Adult Nursing, Applied Psychology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Clinical & Health Psychology, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Software Engineering, Architecture, Mental Health Nursing.

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 Leeds
£33,700

University College Birmingham is about £20,200 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University College Birmingham
£17,000
University of Leeds
£31,500

University College Birmingham is about £14,500 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 Leeds

  • Business Studies

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£36,000
    86%Satisfaction84%
  • Computer Science

    No dataSalary (3 years)£42,000
    87%Satisfaction79%
  • Design & Fashion

    £18,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    No dataSatisfaction87%
  • Education Studies

    £17,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    98%Satisfaction86%
  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    96%Satisfaction75%
  • Food Science

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    94%Satisfaction68%
  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£35,000
    89%Satisfaction93%
  • Marketing

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    85%Satisfaction84%
  • Childhood & Youth Studies

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    98%Satisfaction83%
  • Planning & Housing

    No dataSalary (3 years)No data
    91%Satisfaction100%
  • Adult Nursing

    No dataSalary (3 years)£29,000
    91%Satisfaction83%
  • Mental Health Nursing

    No dataSalary (3 years)£29,000
    91%Satisfaction83%

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

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 →

University of Leeds

Gazan Humanitarian Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Gazan Humanitarian Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Global Community Bursary

£10,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

Sanctuary Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University College Birmingham vs University of Leeds: common questions

Is University College Birmingham or University of Leeds cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £13,500 a year at University College Birmingham and £33,700 at University of Leeds: University College Birmingham is about £20,200 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,000 a year at University College Birmingham and £31,500 at University of Leeds: University College Birmingham is about £14,500 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 Leeds?

Both universities teach 28 subject areas: Civil Engineering, Business Studies, Computer Science, Sociology & Criminology, Design & Fashion, Politics & International Relations, Education Studies, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Food Science, Finance & Actuarial Science, Marketing and 16 more.

Is University College Birmingham or University of Leeds better for Business Studies?

Business Studies graduates earn a median £21,000 three years after graduating from University College Birmingham, and £36,000 from University of Leeds. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at University College Birmingham and 84% at University of Leeds. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does University College Birmingham or University of Leeds offer more courses?

University of Leeds lists 579 courses on CourseOptions and University College Birmingham lists 115 courses.

What can you study at University College Birmingham but not at University of Leeds?

University College Birmingham teaches 8 subject areas that University of Leeds does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Building & Construction, Food Production & Technology, Crafts & Applied Arts, Complementary & Alternative Medicine, Creative Arts (General), Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation and Business Information Systems.

What can you study at University of Leeds but not at University College Birmingham?

University of Leeds teaches 82 subject areas that University College Birmingham does not, including Physics, Chemistry, Economics, Law, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, Music, History and 74 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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