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 East London

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

VS

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.

#68
QS World
#1001
#98
THE World
#1001
#18
Guardian UK
#111
1900
Established
1892
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 East London

86.7%
89.4%

Satisfaction

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

£38,700
£27,000

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83.3%
78.9%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
49.4%

International

International student share

663
386

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

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

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.

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)£22,500
    83%Satisfaction89%
  • Politics & International Relations

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    86%Satisfaction96%
  • Civil Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    78%Satisfaction90%
  • Education Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£18,500
    83%Satisfaction94%
  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    88%Satisfaction86%
  • Computer Science

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    93%Satisfaction95%
  • Psychology (General)

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    90%Satisfaction93%
  • Marketing

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    79%Satisfaction99%
  • Sociology & Criminology

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£19,500
    83%Satisfaction87%
  • General Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    82%Satisfaction82%
  • Chemistry

    £27,000Salary (3 years)No data
    93%Satisfaction90%
  • Media & Film Studies

    No dataSalary (3 years)£19,500
    95%Satisfaction89%

Showing the 12 largest of 31 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 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.

Ready to explore courses?

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