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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 South Wales

Pontypridd · QS World #1201

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.

2/7

University College Birmingham

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

5/7

South Wales

scored higher in 5 categories

Quick Verdict

University of South Wales leads in 5 of 7 categories where both have data (established, employment, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University College Birmingham is ahead on satisfaction, international.

University College Birmingham vs University of South Wales at a glance

University College Birmingham and University of South Wales both teach 24 subject areas, the largest being Psychology (General), Business & Management (General) and Sport & Exercise Sciences. University College Birmingham offers 115 courses across 36 subject areas; University of South Wales offers 331 courses across 63 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £13,500 a year at University College Birmingham and £16,200 at University of South Wales: University College Birmingham is about £2,700 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,000 a year at University College Birmingham and £17,900 at University of South Wales: University College Birmingham is about £900 a year cheaper.

Of the 11 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University College Birmingham is higher in 7 and University of South Wales in 4. The widest gap is in Design & Fashion: £18,500 three years after graduating from University College Birmingham, against £20,500 from University of South Wales. Of the 15 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University College Birmingham is higher in 10 and University of South Wales in 5.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
#1201
—
THE World
#1201
—
Guardian UK
#83
1957
Established
1913
No
Russell Group
No
Silver
TEF Rating
—

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 South Wales

88.3%
86.7%

Satisfaction

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

£25,600
£27,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

77.8%
84.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

47%
22%

International

International student share

115
331

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

7
23

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

South Wales

71 countries · 22% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria17.6%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh16.6%
  • 🇮🇳India16.1%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan15.7%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka6.6%

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.

University College Birmingham

University of South Wales

Also taught at both: Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Complementary & Alternative Medicine, Crafts & Applied Arts, Creative Arts (General), Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Politics & International Relations, Public Health & Epidemiology.

Only at University College Birmingham

Only at University of South Wales

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 South Wales
£16,200

University College Birmingham is about £2,700 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University College Birmingham
£17,000
University of South Wales
£17,900

University College Birmingham is about £900 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 South Wales

  • Business & Management (General)

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
    93%Satisfaction94%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    96%Satisfaction87%

  • Building & Construction

    No dataSalary (3 years)£40,500
    91%Satisfaction88%

  • Hospitality, Events & Tourism

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
    93%Satisfaction89%

  • Design & Fashion

    £18,500Salary (3 years)£20,500
    No dataSatisfaction88%

  • Childhood & Youth Studies

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£18,500
    98%Satisfaction93%

  • Business Studies

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
    86%Satisfaction91%

  • Health & Social Care

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£19,000
    94%Satisfaction87%

  • Marketing

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
    85%Satisfaction94%

  • Software Engineering

    No dataSalary (3 years)£19,500
    89%Satisfaction81%

  • Education Studies

    £17,000Salary (3 years)£18,500
    98%Satisfaction92%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
    89%Satisfaction90%

Showing the 12 largest of 16 shared subjects with published outcomes.

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 South Wales

USW Postgraduate Refugee Sanctuary Scheme

100%

Deadline: N/A

USW Postgraduate Sanctuary Scholarship 2026/2027

100%

Deadline: Jul 2026

USW Postgraduate Sanctuary Scholarship 2027/2028

100%

Deadline: Jul 2027

USW Refugee Sanctuary Scheme

100%

Deadline: N/A

Undergraduate Sanctuary Scholarship 2026/2027

100%

Deadline: Jul 2026

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University College Birmingham vs University of South Wales: common questions

Is University College Birmingham or University of South Wales cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £13,500 a year at University College Birmingham and £16,200 at University of South Wales: University College Birmingham is about £2,700 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,000 a year at University College Birmingham and £17,900 at University of South Wales: University College Birmingham is about £900 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 South Wales?

Both universities teach 24 subject areas: Psychology (General), Business & Management (General), Sport & Exercise Sciences, Building & Construction, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Design & Fashion, Childhood & Youth Studies, Business Studies, Health & Social Care, Marketing, Software Engineering, Civil Engineering and 12 more.

Is University College Birmingham or University of South Wales better for Business & Management (General)?

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £20,000 three years after graduating from University College Birmingham, and £19,000 from University of South Wales. Student satisfaction with teaching is 93% at University College Birmingham and 94% at University of South Wales. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does University College Birmingham or University of South Wales offer more courses?

University of South Wales lists 331 courses on CourseOptions and University College Birmingham lists 115 courses.

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

University College Birmingham teaches 12 subject areas that University of South Wales does not, including Food Science, Food Production & Technology, Planning & Housing, Adult Nursing, Applied Psychology, Clinical & Health Psychology, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Architecture and 4 more.

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

University of South Wales teaches 39 subject areas that University College Birmingham does not, including Healthcare Science, Law, Aerospace Engineering, Nursing (General), Film Production & Cinematography, Teacher Training, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science and 31 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University College Birmingham115 courses · 7 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of South Wales331 courses · 23 scholarshipsBrowse Courses