Skip to main content

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 Cambridge

Cambridge · QS World #6

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.

3/11

Birmingham

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

8/11

Cambridge

scored higher in 8 categories

Quick Verdict

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

University of Birmingham vs University of Cambridge at a glance

University of Birmingham and University of Cambridge both teach 63 subject areas, the largest being History, Politics & International Relations and Law. University of Birmingham offers 663 courses across 101 subject areas; University of Cambridge offers 336 courses across 79 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £27,090 a year at University of Birmingham and £32,890 at University of Cambridge: University of Birmingham is about £5,800 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,390 a year at University of Birmingham and £41,300 at University of Cambridge: University of Birmingham is about £17,910 a year cheaper.

Of the 21 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Cambridge is higher in 21 and University of Birmingham in 0. The widest gap is in Economics: £34,500 three years after graduating from University of Birmingham, against £59,500 from University of Cambridge. Of the 21 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Cambridge is higher in 16 and University of Birmingham in 2, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#68
QS World
#6
#98
THE World
#3
#18
Guardian UK
#2
1900
Established
1209
Yes
Russell Group
Yes
Silver
TEF Rating
Gold

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 Cambridge

86.7%
92.1%

Satisfaction

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

£38,700
£49,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83.3%
76.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
32.2%

International

International student share

663
336

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

3
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.

Birmingham

104 countries · 31.2% international

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

Cambridge

96 countries · 32.2% international

  • 🇨🇳China28.2%
  • 🇺🇸United States10.3%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore6.6%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5.3%
  • 🇮🇳India4.7%

Subjects

63 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 Cambridge

Also taught at both: Economics, Geology & Earth Sciences, International Development, Music, Chemistry, Theology & Religious Studies, Ancient Languages, Computer Science, Education Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Chemical Engineering, History of Art & Design, Psychology (General), Archaeology, Classical Studies, Geography (General), Media & Film Studies, Clinical Specialities, Management, Medicine, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biology, Business Studies, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Planning & Housing, Social Policy & Public Policy, Anthropology, Creative Writing, Dentistry, English Studies, Human Geography & Environment, Linguistics, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Biochemistry, Eastern European Languages, Genetics & Genomics, Materials Science, Anatomy & Pathology, Clinical & Health Psychology, Heritage & Conservation, Information Systems & Data Science, Biotechnology, Aerospace Engineering, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Software Engineering, Statistics, Toxicology, Computing & IT.

Only at University of Birmingham

Only at University of Cambridge

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 Cambridge
£32,890

University of Birmingham is about £5,800 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Birmingham
£23,390
University of Cambridge
£41,300

University of Birmingham is about £17,910 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 Cambridge

  • History

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    89%Satisfaction95%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£34,000
    86%SatisfactionNo data

  • Law

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£49,000
    83%Satisfaction96%

  • Biological Sciences (General)

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£35,000
    88%Satisfaction91%

  • Philosophy

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    93%Satisfaction93%

  • Mathematics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£44,500
    85%Satisfaction94%

  • General Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£39,500
    82%Satisfaction87%

  • Economics

    £34,500Salary (3 years)£59,500
    85%Satisfaction86%

  • Music

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    89%Satisfaction97%

  • Theology & Religious Studies

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£31,500
    94%Satisfaction94%

  • Ancient Languages

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    91%Satisfaction97%

  • Computer Science

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£63,500
    93%Satisfaction94%

Showing the 12 largest of 22 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 Cambridge

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Birmingham vs University of Cambridge: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £27,090 a year at University of Birmingham and £32,890 at University of Cambridge: University of Birmingham is about £5,800 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,390 a year at University of Birmingham and £41,300 at University of Cambridge: University of Birmingham is about £17,910 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 Cambridge?

Both universities teach 63 subject areas: History, Politics & International Relations, Law, Biological Sciences (General), Philosophy, Business & Management (General), Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Mathematics, Physics, Sociology & Criminology, Biomedical Sciences, Health & Social Care and 51 more.

Is University of Birmingham or University of Cambridge better for History?

History graduates earn a median £26,000 three years after graduating from University of Birmingham, and £32,000 from University of Cambridge. Student satisfaction with teaching is 89% at University of Birmingham and 95% at University of Cambridge. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Birmingham lists 663 courses on CourseOptions and University of Cambridge lists 336 courses.

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

University of Birmingham teaches 38 subject areas that University of Cambridge does not, including Teacher Training, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Marketing, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Environmental Sciences, French, Nursing (General), English Language and 30 more.

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

University of Cambridge teaches 16 subject areas that University of Birmingham does not, including Asian Languages & Studies, Architecture, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Veterinary Medicine, Celtic Studies, Building & Construction, American & Comparative Studies, Animal Science and 8 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

U
University of Birmingham663 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Cambridge336 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses