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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 Cumbria

Lancaster · Guardian UK #101

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.

8/9

Birmingham

scored higher in 8 categories

VS

1/9

Cumbria

scored higher in 1 category

Quick Verdict

University of Birmingham leads in 8 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Cumbria is ahead on employment.

University of Birmingham vs University of Cumbria at a glance

University of Birmingham and University of Cumbria both teach 29 subject areas, the largest being Law, Sport & Exercise Sciences and Childhood & Youth Studies. University of Birmingham offers 663 courses across 101 subject areas; University of Cumbria offers 136 courses across 40 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £27,090 a year at University of Birmingham and £16,000 at University of Cumbria: University of Cumbria is about £11,090 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,390 a year at University of Birmingham and £16,900 at University of Cumbria: University of Cumbria is about £6,490 a year cheaper.

Of the 17 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Birmingham is higher in 13 and University of Cumbria in 2, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Business & Management (General): £35,000 three years after graduating from University of Birmingham, against £21,000 from University of Cumbria. Of the 16 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Birmingham is higher in 9 and University of Cumbria in 7.

World & National Rankings

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

#68
QS World
—
#98
THE World
—
#18
Guardian UK
#101
1900
Established
2007
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 Cumbria

86.7%
80.5%

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%
89.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
2.6%

International

International student share

663
136

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

3
1

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

Cumbria

14 countries · 2.6% international

  • 🇨🇦Canada14.9%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan14.9%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria10.6%
  • 🇩🇪Germany8.5%
  • 🇮🇪Ireland8.5%

Subjects

29 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 Cumbria

Also taught at both: Film Production & Cinematography, Mechanical Engineering, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Human Geography & Environment, Management, Social Work, Adult Nursing, Applied Psychology, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Mental Health Nursing, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Midwifery, Physical Geography & Climate, Children's Nursing.

Only at University of Birmingham

Only at University of Cumbria

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 Cumbria
£16,000

University of Cumbria is about £11,090 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Birmingham
£23,390
University of Cumbria
£16,900

University of Cumbria is about £6,490 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 Cumbria

  • Law

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£18,500
    83%Satisfaction95%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    88%Satisfaction84%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    79%Satisfaction85%

  • Health Sciences & Paramedic Science

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    No dataSatisfaction98%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£19,500
    83%Satisfaction70%

  • Business Studies

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    77%Satisfaction89%

  • Psychology (General)

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    90%Satisfaction87%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    82%Satisfaction100%

  • Environmental Sciences

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£19,000
    85%Satisfaction77%

  • Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£28,500
    84%Satisfaction91%

  • Management

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    84%Satisfaction76%

  • Social Work

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    90%Satisfaction70%

Showing the 12 largest of 17 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 Cumbria

Future Talent Award

£8,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Birmingham vs University of Cumbria: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £27,090 a year at University of Birmingham and £16,000 at University of Cumbria: University of Cumbria is about £11,090 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,390 a year at University of Birmingham and £16,900 at University of Cumbria: University of Cumbria is about £6,490 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 Cumbria?

Both universities teach 29 subject areas: Law, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Childhood & Youth Studies, Business & Management (General), Health & Social Care, Teacher Training, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Sociology & Criminology, Business Studies, Education Studies, Psychology (General), Biomedical Sciences and 17 more.

Is University of Birmingham or University of Cumbria better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £27,500 three years after graduating from University of Birmingham, and £18,500 from University of Cumbria. Student satisfaction with teaching is 83% at University of Birmingham and 95% at University of Cumbria. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Birmingham lists 663 courses on CourseOptions and University of Cumbria lists 136 courses.

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

University of Birmingham teaches 72 subject areas that University of Cumbria does not, including Politics & International Relations, History, Philosophy, Civil Engineering, Geology & Earth Sciences, International Development, Physics, Marketing and 64 more.

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

University of Cumbria teaches 11 subject areas that University of Birmingham does not, including Design & Fashion, Forestry & Arboriculture, Ecology & Conservation, Zoology & Animal Biology, Fine Art, Medical Imaging, Biomedical Engineering, Games Design & Computer Animation 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 Cumbria136 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses