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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 Sunderland

Sunderland · Guardian UK #86

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.

3/7

University College Birmingham

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

4/7

Sunderland

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Sunderland leads in 4 of 7 categories where both have data (established, satisfaction, employment, courses). University College Birmingham is ahead on international, graduate salary, scholarship.

University College Birmingham vs University of Sunderland at a glance

University College Birmingham and University of Sunderland both teach 21 subject areas, the largest being Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Sport & Exercise Sciences and Business Studies. University College Birmingham offers 115 courses across 36 subject areas; University of Sunderland offers 193 courses across 56 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £13,500 a year at University College Birmingham and £17,500 at University of Sunderland: University College Birmingham is about £4,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,000 a year at University College Birmingham and £17,000 at University of Sunderland, so the two cost about the same.

Of the 10 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University College Birmingham is higher in 6 and University of Sunderland in 1, with 3 about level. The widest gap is in Education Studies: £17,000 three years after graduating from University College Birmingham, against £25,000 from University of Sunderland. Of the 14 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University College Birmingham is higher in 7 and University of Sunderland in 5, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
—
—
THE World
#1501
—
Guardian UK
#86
1957
Established
1901
No
Russell Group
No
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 Sunderland

88.3%
89.8%

Satisfaction

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

£25,600
£24,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

77.8%
81.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

47%
36.5%

International

International student share

115
193

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

7
0

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

Sunderland

56 countries · 36.5% international

  • 🌐Nepal29.5%
  • 🇮🇳India17.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria16.6%
  • 🇨🇳China7.3%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan6.9%

Subjects

21 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 Sunderland

Also taught at both: Mechanical Engineering, Clinical & Health Psychology, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Adult Nursing, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Mental Health Nursing.

Only at University College Birmingham

Only at University of Sunderland

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 Sunderland
£17,500

University College Birmingham is about £4,000 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University College Birmingham
£17,000
University of Sunderland
£17,000

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 Sunderland

  • Hospitality, Events & Tourism

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
    93%Satisfaction93%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    96%Satisfaction86%

  • Business Studies

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    86%Satisfaction91%

  • Computer Science

    No dataSalary (3 years)£25,500
    87%Satisfaction78%

  • Design & Fashion

    £18,500Salary (3 years)£17,000
    No dataSatisfaction90%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    89%Satisfaction85%

  • Health & Social Care

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£18,500
    94%Satisfaction96%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    93%Satisfaction92%

  • Childhood & Youth Studies

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£18,500
    98%Satisfaction100%

  • Marketing

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    85%Satisfaction91%

  • Education Studies

    £17,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    98%Satisfaction84%

  • Software Engineering

    No dataSalary (3 years)£25,500
    89%Satisfaction92%

Showing the 12 largest of 15 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 Sunderland

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University College Birmingham vs University of Sunderland: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £13,500 a year at University College Birmingham and £17,500 at University of Sunderland: University College Birmingham is about £4,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,000 a year at University College Birmingham and £17,000 at University of Sunderland, 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 Sunderland?

Both universities teach 21 subject areas: Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Business Studies, Computer Science, Design & Fashion, Finance & Actuarial Science, Health & Social Care, Business & Management (General), Childhood & Youth Studies, Marketing, Psychology (General), Education Studies and 9 more.

Is University College Birmingham or University of Sunderland better for Hospitality, Events & Tourism?

Hospitality, Events & Tourism graduates earn a median £20,000 three years after graduating from University College Birmingham, and £19,000 from University of Sunderland. Student satisfaction with teaching is 93% at University College Birmingham and 93% at University of Sunderland. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Sunderland lists 193 courses on CourseOptions and University College Birmingham lists 115 courses.

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

University College Birmingham teaches 15 subject areas that University of Sunderland does not, including Building & Construction, Food Science, Food Production & Technology, Planning & Housing, Crafts & Applied Arts, Civil Engineering, Complementary & Alternative Medicine, Creative Arts (General) and 7 more.

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

University of Sunderland teaches 35 subject areas that University College Birmingham does not, including Law, Film Production & Cinematography, Media & Film Studies, Journalism, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Fine Art and 27 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 Sunderland193 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses