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
York · Guardian UK #105
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
4/7
York St John
scored higher in 4 categories
Quick Verdict
York St John University leads in 4 of 7 categories where both have data (established, employment, graduate salary, courses). University College Birmingham is ahead on satisfaction, international, scholarship.
University College Birmingham vs York St John University at a glance
University College Birmingham and York St John University both teach 18 subject areas, the largest being Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Sport & Exercise Sciences and Politics & International Relations. University College Birmingham offers 115 courses across 36 subject areas; York St John University offers 199 courses across 49 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £13,500 a year at University College Birmingham and £14,000 at York St John University: University College Birmingham is about £500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,000 a year at University College Birmingham and £11,800 at York St John University: York St John University is about £5,200 a year cheaper.
Of the 8 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, York St John University is higher in 7 and University College Birmingham in 1. The widest gap is in Hospitality, Events & Tourism: £20,000 three years after graduating from University College Birmingham, against £22,500 from York St John University. Of the 12 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University College Birmingham is higher in 7 and York St John University in 5.
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
York St John University
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%
York St John
35 countries · 37.1% international
- 🌐Nepal33.8%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria25.4%
- 🇮🇳India20.5%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan4.1%
- 🌐Sri Lanka4%
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
York St John University
Hospitality, Events & Tourism
15 coursesTypical fee £13,500 (UG)
6 coursesTypical fee £14,000 (UG)
Sport & Exercise Sciences
Politics & International Relations
1 courseTypical fee £17,000 (PG)
12 coursesTypical fee £14,000 (UG)
Marketing
Design & Fashion
Sociology & Criminology
Business & Management (General)
Business Studies
Psychology (General)
Childhood & Youth Studies
Education Studies
Computer Science
Applied Psychology
Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation
Software Engineering
Also taught at both: Adult Nursing, Mental Health Nursing, Public Health & Epidemiology.
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
- York St John University
- £14,000
University College Birmingham is about £500 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- University College Birmingham
- £17,000
- York St John University
- £11,800
York St John University is about £5,200 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
York St John University
Hospitality, Events & Tourism
£20,000Salary (3 years)£22,50093%Satisfaction91%Sport & Exercise Sciences
£20,500Salary (3 years)£21,00096%Satisfaction88%Marketing
£20,000Salary (3 years)£22,50085%Satisfaction90%Design & Fashion
£18,500Salary (3 years)£19,000No dataSatisfaction68%Business & Management (General)
£20,000Salary (3 years)£22,50093%Satisfaction71%Business Studies
£21,000Salary (3 years)£22,50086%Satisfaction95%Childhood & Youth Studies
£20,500Salary (3 years)£20,00098%Satisfaction87%Education Studies
£17,000Salary (3 years)£19,00098%Satisfaction77%Computer Science
No dataSalary (3 years)£26,50087%Satisfaction78%Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation
No dataSalary (3 years)£28,50088%Satisfaction97%Software Engineering
No dataSalary (3 years)£26,50089%Satisfaction66%Adult Nursing
No dataSalary (3 years)£26,50091%Satisfaction96%
Showing the 12 largest of 13 shared subjects with published outcomes.
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 York St John University: common questions
Is University College Birmingham or York St John University cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £13,500 a year at University College Birmingham and £14,000 at York St John University: University College Birmingham is about £500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,000 a year at University College Birmingham and £11,800 at York St John University: York St John University is about £5,200 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 York St John University?
Both universities teach 18 subject areas: Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Politics & International Relations, Marketing, Design & Fashion, Sociology & Criminology, Business & Management (General), Business Studies, Psychology (General), Childhood & Youth Studies, Education Studies, Computer Science and 6 more.
Is University College Birmingham or York St John University better for Hospitality, Events & Tourism?
Hospitality, Events & Tourism graduates earn a median £20,000 three years after graduating from University College Birmingham, and £22,500 from York St John University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 93% at University College Birmingham and 91% at York St John University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does University College Birmingham or York St John University offer more courses?
York St John University lists 199 courses on CourseOptions and University College Birmingham lists 115 courses.
What can you study at University College Birmingham but not at York St John University?
University College Birmingham teaches 18 subject areas that York St John University does not, including Building & Construction, Food Science, Finance & Actuarial Science, Health & Social Care, Food Production & Technology, Planning & Housing, Crafts & Applied Arts, Civil Engineering and 10 more.
What can you study at York St John University but not at University College Birmingham?
York St John University teaches 31 subject areas that University College Birmingham does not, including English Literature, Media & Film Studies, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Creative Writing, Law, Teacher Training, Asian Languages & Studies, History and 23 more.
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