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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.

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University of Birmingham

Birmingham · QS World #68

U
University of Chester

Chester · Guardian UK #91

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 9 datapoints

We looked at 9 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

7/9

Birmingham

scored higher in 7 categories

VS

2/9

Chester

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Birmingham leads in 7 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses). University of Chester is ahead on established, employment.

University of Birmingham vs University of Chester at a glance

University of Birmingham and University of Chester both teach 55 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Law and Childhood & Youth Studies. University of Birmingham offers 663 courses across 101 subject areas; University of Chester offers 329 courses across 73 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £27,090 a year at University of Birmingham and £14,950 at University of Chester: University of Chester is about £12,140 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,390 a year at University of Birmingham and £15,500 at University of Chester: University of Chester is about £7,890 a year cheaper.

Of the 32 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Birmingham is higher in 31 and University of Chester in 1. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £40,000 three years after graduating from University of Birmingham, against £23,000 from University of Chester. Of the 35 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Birmingham is higher in 18 and University of Chester in 13, with 4 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#68
QS World
—
#98
THE World
#1501
#18
Guardian UK
#91
1900
Established
1839
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 Chester

86.7%
83.9%

Satisfaction

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

£38,700
£27,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83.3%
84.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
28.7%

International

International student share

663
329

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

3
3

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

Chester

52 countries · 28.7% international

  • 🇮🇳India32.1%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan26.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria11.7%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka7.1%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh2.8%

Subjects

55 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 Chester

Also taught at both: Geography (General), Ancient Languages, Finance & Actuarial Science, Mathematics, Archaeology, Biomedical Sciences, Chemistry, Education Studies, Theology & Religious Studies, Media & Film Studies, Business Studies, Chemical Engineering, Accounting, French, Medicine, Social Work, Software Engineering, Adult Nursing, English Language, General Engineering, Public Health & Epidemiology, Creative Writing, Drama & Theatre, Mental Health Nursing, Applied Psychology, Biology, Clinical Specialities, English Studies, Information Systems & Data Science, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Social Sciences (General), Counselling & Psychotherapy, Spanish & Portuguese, Biological Sciences (General), Children's Nursing, English Literature, Biotechnology, Film Production & Cinematography, Computing & IT, Midwifery.

Only at University of Birmingham

Only at University of Chester

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 Chester
£14,950

University of Chester is about £12,140 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Birmingham
£23,390
University of Chester
£15,500

University of Chester is about £7,890 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 Chester

  • Politics & International Relations

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    86%Satisfaction86%

  • Law

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£20,000
    83%Satisfaction89%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£21,500
    79%Satisfaction79%

  • History

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£19,500
    89%Satisfaction94%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    83%Satisfaction86%

  • Hospitality, Events & Tourism

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£19,500
    80%Satisfaction83%

  • Psychology (General)

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£20,500
    90%Satisfaction82%

  • Marketing

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    79%Satisfaction89%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    88%Satisfaction90%

  • Computer Science

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    93%Satisfaction83%

  • Music

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£17,500
    89%Satisfaction73%

  • Geography (General)

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    86%Satisfaction92%

Showing the 12 largest of 36 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 Chester

NHS Learning Support Fund

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

Visit Us Travel Bursary

£100

Deadline: N/A

Futures Employability Fund

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Birmingham vs University of Chester: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £27,090 a year at University of Birmingham and £14,950 at University of Chester: University of Chester is about £12,140 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,390 a year at University of Birmingham and £15,500 at University of Chester: University of Chester is about £7,890 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 Chester?

Both universities teach 55 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Law, Childhood & Youth Studies, Business & Management (General), History, Sociology & Criminology, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Psychology (General), Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Marketing, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Teacher Training and 43 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £28,000 three years after graduating from University of Birmingham, and £21,000 from University of Chester. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at University of Birmingham and 86% at University of Chester. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Birmingham lists 663 courses on CourseOptions and University of Chester lists 329 courses.

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

University of Birmingham teaches 46 subject areas that University of Chester does not, including Philosophy, Civil Engineering, Geology & Earth Sciences, International Development, Physics, Microbiology & Cell Biology, History of Art & Design, Classical Studies and 38 more.

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

University of Chester teaches 18 subject areas that University of Birmingham does not, including Design & Fashion, Nutrition & Dietetics, Journalism, Animal Science, Agriculture & Land Management, Games Design & Computer Animation, Learning Disabilities Nursing, Ecology & Conservation and 10 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 Chester329 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses