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.
Birmingham · QS World #68
London · QS World #1001
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
3/11
East London
scored higher in 3 categories
Quick Verdict
University of Birmingham leads in 8 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, employment, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of East London is ahead on established, satisfaction, international.
University of Birmingham vs University of East London at a glance
University of Birmingham and University of East London both teach 51 subject areas, the largest being Law, Childhood & Youth Studies and Politics & International Relations. University of Birmingham offers 663 courses across 101 subject areas; University of East London offers 386 courses across 64 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £27,090 a year at University of Birmingham and £15,560 at University of East London: University of East London is about £11,530 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,390 a year at University of Birmingham and £17,220 at University of East London: University of East London is about £6,170 a year cheaper.
Of the 29 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Birmingham is higher in 28 and University of East London in 1. The widest gap is in Accounting: £37,000 three years after graduating from University of Birmingham, against £22,500 from University of East London. Of the 31 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of East London is higher in 22 and University of Birmingham in 8, with 1 about level.
World & National Rankings
Compare world and national league table positions, TEF ratings, and Russell Group membership.
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 East London
Satisfaction
Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)
Graduate Salaries (5y)
Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation
Employment
Graduate employment rate
International
International student share
Course Counts
Number of courses offered
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%
East London
76 countries · 49.4% international
- 🇮🇳India60.2%
- 🌐Nepal18.2%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan9.1%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria2.8%
- 🌐Sri Lanka1.7%
Subjects
51 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 East London
Law
24 coursesTypical fee £23,390 (UG)
15 coursesTypical fee £15,560 (UG)
Childhood & Youth Studies
6 coursesTypical fee £27,090 (PG)
31 coursesTypical fee £15,560 (UG)
Politics & International Relations
28 coursesTypical fee £28,080 (UG)
6 coursesTypical fee £15,560 (UG)
Civil Engineering
15 coursesTypical fee £11,740 (UG)
15 coursesTypical fee £15,560 (UG)
Business & Management (General)
15 coursesFee not available
14 coursesTypical fee £19,500 (PG)
Education Studies
11 coursesTypical fee £22,880 (UG)
17 coursesTypical fee £15,560 (UG)
Sport & Exercise Sciences
14 coursesTypical fee £11,250 (PG)
13 coursesTypical fee £15,560 (UG)
Computer Science
8 coursesTypical fee £11,340 (UG)
11 coursesTypical fee £15,560 (UG)
Psychology (General)
8 coursesTypical fee £10,530 (UG)
11 coursesTypical fee £15,560 (UG)
Teacher Training
17 coursesFee not available
2 coursesTypical fee £15,560 (UG)
Health & Social Care
17 coursesTypical fee £25,830 (PG)
1 courseFee not available
Marketing
13 coursesTypical fee £24,340 (UG)
5 coursesTypical fee £15,560 (UG)
Sociology & Criminology
11 coursesTypical fee £10,900 (UG)
7 coursesTypical fee £15,560 (UG)
General Engineering
7 coursesTypical fee £22,910 (PG)
10 coursesTypical fee £15,560 (UG)
Chemistry
11 coursesTypical fee £33,660 (PG)
4 coursesTypical fee £15,560 (UG)
Also taught at both: Geology & Earth Sciences, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Media & Film Studies, Music, Finance & Actuarial Science, Accounting, Business Studies, Management, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Economics, Mathematics, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Drama & Theatre, Social Work, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Film Production & Cinematography, Mechanical Engineering, Nursing (General), Public Health & Epidemiology, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Biochemistry, Computing & IT, Applied Psychology, Software Engineering, Anatomy & Pathology, Clinical & Health Psychology, Information Systems & Data Science, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Adult Nursing, Human Geography & Environment, Human Resource Management, Mental Health Nursing, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Midwifery.
Only at University of Birmingham
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 East London
- £15,560
University of East London is about £11,530 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- University of Birmingham
- £23,390
- University of East London
- £17,220
University of East London is about £6,170 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 East London
Law
£27,500Salary (3 years)£22,50083%Satisfaction89%Politics & International Relations
£28,000Salary (3 years)£22,50086%Satisfaction96%Civil Engineering
£33,000Salary (3 years)£29,00078%Satisfaction90%Education Studies
£24,000Salary (3 years)£18,50083%Satisfaction94%Sport & Exercise Sciences
£25,000Salary (3 years)£22,50088%Satisfaction86%Computer Science
£40,000Salary (3 years)£26,50093%Satisfaction95%Psychology (General)
£23,500Salary (3 years)£21,00090%Satisfaction93%Marketing
£35,000Salary (3 years)£26,50079%Satisfaction99%Sociology & Criminology
£25,000Salary (3 years)£19,50083%Satisfaction87%General Engineering
£33,000Salary (3 years)£26,50082%Satisfaction82%Chemistry
£27,000Salary (3 years)No data93%Satisfaction90%Media & Film Studies
No dataSalary (3 years)£19,50095%Satisfaction89%
Showing the 12 largest of 31 shared subjects with published outcomes.
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveUniversity 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
University of East London
View all scholarships →FAQ
University of Birmingham vs University of East London: common questions
Is University of Birmingham or University of East London cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £27,090 a year at University of Birmingham and £15,560 at University of East London: University of East London is about £11,530 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,390 a year at University of Birmingham and £17,220 at University of East London: University of East London is about £6,170 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 East London?
Both universities teach 51 subject areas: Law, Childhood & Youth Studies, Politics & International Relations, Civil Engineering, Business & Management (General), Education Studies, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Computer Science, Psychology (General), Teacher Training, Health & Social Care, Marketing and 39 more.
Is University of Birmingham or University of East London better for Law?
Law graduates earn a median £27,500 three years after graduating from University of Birmingham, and £22,500 from University of East London. Student satisfaction with teaching is 83% at University of Birmingham and 89% at University of East London. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does University of Birmingham or University of East London offer more courses?
University of Birmingham lists 663 courses on CourseOptions and University of East London lists 386 courses.
What can you study at University of Birmingham but not at University of East London?
University of Birmingham teaches 50 subject areas that University of East London does not, including History, Philosophy, International Development, Physics, Ancient Languages, Microbiology & Cell Biology, History of Art & Design, Theology & Religious Studies and 42 more.
What can you study at University of East London but not at University of Birmingham?
University of East London teaches 13 subject areas that University of Birmingham does not, including Design & Fashion, Building & Construction, Architecture, Applied Computing, Dance, Journalism, Biomedical Engineering, Business Information Systems and 5 more.
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