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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 Derby

Derby · QS World #1201

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 12 datapoints

We looked at 12 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

7/12

Birmingham

scored higher in 7 categories

VS

5/12

Derby

scored higher in 5 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Birmingham leads in 7 of 12 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, international, graduate salary, courses). University of Derby is ahead on TEF, established, satisfaction, employment, scholarship.

University of Birmingham vs University of Derby at a glance

University of Birmingham and University of Derby both teach 55 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Law and Politics & International Relations. University of Birmingham offers 663 courses across 101 subject areas; University of Derby offers 375 courses across 74 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £27,090 a year at University of Birmingham and £16,900 at University of Derby: University of Derby is about £10,190 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,390 a year at University of Birmingham and £17,500 at University of Derby: University of Derby is about £5,890 a year cheaper.

Of the 35 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Birmingham is higher in 32 and University of Derby in 1, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning: £40,000 three years after graduating from University of Birmingham, against £24,500 from University of Derby. Of the 36 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Derby is higher in 28 and University of Birmingham in 6, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#68
QS World
#1201
#98
THE World
#601
#18
Guardian UK
#80
1900
Established
1851
Yes
Russell Group
No
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 Derby

86.7%
88.5%

Satisfaction

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

£38,700
£27,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83.3%
85.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
14.3%

International

International student share

663
375

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

3
6

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

Derby

64 countries · 14.3% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria34.5%
  • 🇮🇳India15.3%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan8.1%
  • 🇬🇭Ghana6.5%
  • 🇰🇪Kenya5.5%

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 Derby

Also taught at both: Media & Film Studies, Music, Physics, Finance & Actuarial Science, Business Studies, English Studies, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Accounting, Biomedical Sciences, Mathematics, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Computer Science, Creative Writing, Environmental Sciences, Adult Nursing, Childhood & Youth Studies, General Engineering, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Nursing (General), Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Mental Health Nursing, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Drama & Theatre, English Language, Management, Mechanical Engineering, Public Health & Epidemiology, Social Work, Biology, Clinical Specialities, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Clinical & Health Psychology, Film Production & Cinematography, Heritage & Conservation, Children's Nursing, Human Geography & Environment, Human Resource Management, Software Engineering, Computing & IT, Midwifery.

Only at University of Birmingham

Only at University of Derby

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 Derby
£16,900

University of Derby is about £10,190 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Birmingham
£23,390
University of Derby
£17,500

University of Derby is about £5,890 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 Derby

  • Business & Management (General)

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    79%Satisfaction93%

  • Law

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£20,500
    83%Satisfaction87%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    86%Satisfaction90%

  • History

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£19,500
    89%Satisfaction100%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    83%Satisfaction85%

  • Marketing

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    79%Satisfaction88%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£22,000
    88%Satisfaction90%

  • Civil Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    78%Satisfaction92%

  • Psychology (General)

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£20,000
    90%Satisfaction90%

  • Education Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    83%Satisfaction98%

  • Economics

    £34,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    85%Satisfaction93%

  • Geology & Earth Sciences

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    91%Satisfaction86%

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 Derby

Biomedical Science Excellence Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Golding Awards

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sarah Essam Football Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sitwell Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Birmingham vs University of Derby: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £27,090 a year at University of Birmingham and £16,900 at University of Derby: University of Derby is about £10,190 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,390 a year at University of Birmingham and £17,500 at University of Derby: University of Derby is about £5,890 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 Derby?

Both universities teach 55 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Law, Politics & International Relations, History, Sociology & Criminology, Marketing, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Health & Social Care, Civil Engineering, Teacher Training, Psychology (General), Health Sciences & Paramedic Science and 43 more.

Is University of Birmingham or University of Derby better for Business & Management (General)?

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £35,000 three years after graduating from University of Birmingham, and £21,000 from University of Derby. Student satisfaction with teaching is 79% at University of Birmingham and 93% at University of Derby. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Birmingham lists 663 courses on CourseOptions and University of Derby lists 375 courses.

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

University of Birmingham teaches 46 subject areas that University of Derby does not, including Philosophy, International Development, Ancient Languages, Chemistry, Microbiology & Cell Biology, History of Art & Design, Theology & Religious Studies, Chemical Engineering and 38 more.

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

University of Derby teaches 19 subject areas that University of Birmingham does not, including Design & Fashion, Games Design & Computer Animation, Journalism, Architecture, Forensic Science, Personal & Professional Development, Applied Computing, Building & Construction and 11 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 Derby375 courses · 6 scholarshipsBrowse Courses