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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 of Birmingham

Birmingham · QS World #68

U
University of Brighton

Brighton · QS World #901

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 11 datapoints

We looked at 11 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

8/11

Birmingham

scored higher in 8 categories

VS

3/11

Brighton

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Birmingham leads in 8 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses). University of Brighton is ahead on established, employment, scholarship.

University of Birmingham vs University of Brighton at a glance

University of Birmingham and University of Brighton both teach 60 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Law and Civil Engineering. University of Birmingham offers 663 courses across 101 subject areas; University of Brighton offers 255 courses across 71 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £27,090 a year at University of Birmingham and £17,250 at University of Brighton: University of Brighton is about £9,840 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,390 a year at University of Birmingham and £18,790 at University of Brighton: University of Brighton is about £4,600 a year cheaper.

Of the 36 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Birmingham is higher in 28 and University of Brighton in 6, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £40,000 three years after graduating from University of Birmingham, against £28,000 from University of Brighton. Of the 35 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Birmingham is higher in 17 and University of Brighton in 17, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#68
QS World
#901
#98
THE World
#601
#18
Guardian UK
#68
1900
Established
1858
Yes
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 of Birmingham

University of Brighton

86.7%
84.1%

Satisfaction

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

£38,700
£32,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83.3%
84.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
14.3%

International

International student share

663
255

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

3
22

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.

Birmingham

104 countries · 31.2% international

  • 🇨🇳China55.7%
  • 🇮🇳India9.4%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.2%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.8%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia2%
VS

Brighton

93 countries · 14.3% international

  • 🇮🇳India12.1%
  • 🇨🇳China7.2%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria5%
  • 🇺🇸United States5%
  • 🇪🇬Egypt3.6%

Subjects

60 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 of Birmingham

University of Brighton

Also taught at both: Geology & Earth Sciences, Music, Sociology & Criminology, Biomedical Sciences, Education Studies, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Mathematics, General Engineering, History of Art & Design, Media & Film Studies, Accounting, Environmental Sciences, Psychology (General), Economics, Nursing (General), Pharmacy, Social Work, Biology, Human Geography & Environment, Mechanical Engineering, Applied Psychology, Management, Planning & Housing, Aerospace Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Creative Writing, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Social Sciences (General), Counselling & Psychotherapy, Film Production & Cinematography, Adult Nursing, Biological Sciences (General), English Literature, Information Systems & Data Science, Mental Health Nursing, Anatomy & Pathology, Physical Geography & Climate, Software Engineering, Statistics, Children's Nursing, Computing & IT, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Human Resource Management, Midwifery.

Only at University of Birmingham

Only at University of Brighton

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 of Birmingham
£27,090
University of Brighton
£17,250

University of Brighton is about £9,840 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Birmingham
£23,390
University of Brighton
£18,790

University of Brighton is about £4,600 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 of Birmingham

University of Brighton

  • Politics & International Relations

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    86%Satisfaction90%

  • Law

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    83%Satisfaction88%

  • Civil Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    78%Satisfaction80%

  • History

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    89%Satisfaction86%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    79%Satisfaction74%

  • Business Studies

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    77%Satisfaction78%

  • Health Sciences & Paramedic Science

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£31,500
    No dataSatisfaction95%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    88%Satisfaction85%

  • Marketing

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    79%Satisfaction85%

  • Computer Science

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    93%Satisfaction81%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£36,000
    80%Satisfaction87%

  • Music

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£21,500
    89%Satisfaction100%

Showing the 12 largest of 37 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Birmingham

Enhanced Chamberlain Award

£3,500

Deadline: N/A

University Music Scholarships

£3,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

University Music Scholarships

£1,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

View all scholarships →

University of Brighton

Ruby Lee Progression scholarship

100%

Deadline: Jun 2026

University of Brighton outreach progression scholarships

£6,000

Deadline: N/A

Royal Town Planning Institute scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

Vice-Chancellor Scholarships

£4,000

Deadline: N/A

Widening Access Bursary

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Birmingham vs University of Brighton: common questions

Is University of Birmingham or University of Brighton cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £27,090 a year at University of Birmingham and £17,250 at University of Brighton: University of Brighton is about £9,840 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,390 a year at University of Birmingham and £18,790 at University of Brighton: University of Brighton is about £4,600 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 of Birmingham and University of Brighton?

Both universities teach 60 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Law, Civil Engineering, History, Business & Management (General), Business Studies, Childhood & Youth Studies, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Health & Social Care, Teacher Training, Philosophy and 48 more.

Is University of Birmingham or University of Brighton better for Politics & International Relations?

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £28,000 three years after graduating from University of Birmingham, and £23,500 from University of Brighton. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at University of Birmingham and 90% at University of Brighton. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does University of Birmingham or University of Brighton offer more courses?

University of Birmingham lists 663 courses on CourseOptions and University of Brighton lists 255 courses.

What can you study at University of Birmingham but not at University of Brighton?

University of Birmingham teaches 41 subject areas that University of Brighton does not, including International Development, Physics, Ancient Languages, Chemistry, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Theology & Religious Studies, Chemical Engineering, Classical Studies and 33 more.

What can you study at University of Brighton but not at University of Birmingham?

University of Brighton teaches 11 subject areas that University of Birmingham does not, including Design & Fashion, Building & Construction, Architecture, Fine Art, Journalism, Ecology & Conservation, Games Design & Computer Animation, Humanities and 3 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of Birmingham663 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of Brighton255 courses · 22 scholarshipsBrowse Courses