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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

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University of Exeter

Devon · QS World #136

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.

6/11

Birmingham

scored higher in 6 categories

VS

5/11

Exeter

scored higher in 5 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Birmingham leads in 6 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, established, employment, international, scholarship). University of Exeter is ahead on ranking, TEF, satisfaction, graduate salary, courses.

University of Birmingham vs University of Exeter at a glance

University of Birmingham and University of Exeter both teach 72 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Law and Mathematics. University of Birmingham offers 663 courses across 101 subject areas; University of Exeter offers 873 courses across 91 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £27,090 a year at University of Birmingham and £24,950 at University of Exeter: University of Exeter is about £2,140 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,390 a year at University of Birmingham and £25,550 at University of Exeter: University of Birmingham is about £2,160 a year cheaper.

Of the 41 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Exeter is higher in 26 and University of Birmingham in 11, with 4 about level. The widest gap is in Accounting: £37,000 three years after graduating from University of Birmingham, against £43,500 from University of Exeter. Of the 42 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Exeter is higher in 30 and University of Birmingham in 9, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#68
QS World
#136
#98
THE World
#170
#18
Guardian UK
#14
1900
Established
1922
Yes
Russell Group
Yes
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 Exeter

86.7%
87.7%

Satisfaction

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

£38,700
£39,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83.3%
82.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
22.2%

International

International student share

663
873

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

3
2

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

Exeter

111 countries · 22.2% international

  • 🇨🇳China25.1%
  • 🇮🇳India10.9%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong10%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia2.9%
  • 🇺🇸United States2.8%

Subjects

72 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 Exeter

Also taught at both: Computer Science, General Engineering, Geology & Earth Sciences, Ancient Languages, Economics, Theology & Religious Studies, Media & Film Studies, Psychology (General), Health & Social Care, Archaeology, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Business Studies, Marketing, Human Geography & Environment, Chemical Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Geography (General), Accounting, Childhood & Youth Studies, Biochemistry, Education Studies, Management, Nursing (General), Public Health & Epidemiology, Anatomy & Pathology, Drama & Theatre, Mechanical Engineering, Anthropology, French, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Medicine, Physical Geography & Climate, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biology, Clinical Specialities, Creative Writing, English Language, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Biological Sciences (General), Film Production & Cinematography, German & Scandinavian Studies, Information Systems & Data Science, Clinical & Health Psychology, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences (General), Applied Psychology, Eastern European Languages, Human Resource Management, Italian, Liberal Arts, Adult Nursing, Genetics & Genomics, Materials Science, Statistics, Computing & IT, Software Engineering.

Only at University of Birmingham

Only at University of Exeter

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 Exeter
£24,950

University of Exeter is about £2,140 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Birmingham
£23,390
University of Exeter
£25,550

University of Birmingham is about £2,160 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 Exeter

  • Politics & International Relations

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    86%Satisfaction88%

  • Law

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    83%Satisfaction86%

  • Mathematics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    85%Satisfaction88%

  • History

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    89%Satisfaction92%

  • Physics

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    93%Satisfaction94%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£39,000
    79%Satisfaction84%

  • Philosophy

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
    93%Satisfaction89%

  • Classical Studies

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    92%Satisfaction92%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£39,000
    80%Satisfaction84%

  • Civil Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    78%Satisfaction83%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    83%Satisfaction91%

  • English Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    95%Satisfaction92%

Showing the 12 largest of 43 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 Exeter

Bell Burnell Graduate Scholarship Fund

See details

Deadline: N/A

Carolyn and Andrew Trevorrow Memorial Fund Travel Bursaries

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Birmingham vs University of Exeter: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £27,090 a year at University of Birmingham and £24,950 at University of Exeter: University of Exeter is about £2,140 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,390 a year at University of Birmingham and £25,550 at University of Exeter: University of Birmingham is about £2,160 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 Exeter?

Both universities teach 72 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Law, Mathematics, History, Physics, Business & Management (General), Philosophy, Classical Studies, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Finance & Actuarial Science, Civil Engineering, Sociology & Criminology and 60 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £28,000 three years after graduating from University of Birmingham, and £30,500 from University of Exeter. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at University of Birmingham and 88% at University of Exeter. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Exeter lists 873 courses on CourseOptions and University of Birmingham lists 663 courses.

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

University of Birmingham teaches 29 subject areas that University of Exeter does not, including Teacher Training, International Development, Music, Chemistry, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Dentistry, Planning & Housing, Social Policy & Public Policy and 21 more.

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

University of Exeter teaches 19 subject areas that University of Birmingham does not, including Ecology & Conservation, Zoology & Animal Biology, Safety & Mining Engineering, Humanities, Applied Biology & Human Biology, Naval Architecture, Performing Arts (General), American & Comparative Studies 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 Exeter873 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses