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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 Hertfordshire

Hatfield · QS World #851

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.

10/11

Birmingham

scored higher in 10 categories

VS

1/11

Hertfordshire

scored higher in 1 category

Quick Verdict

University of Birmingham leads in 10 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, employment, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Hertfordshire is ahead on international.

University of Birmingham vs University of Hertfordshire at a glance

University of Birmingham and University of Hertfordshire both teach 63 subject areas, the largest being Childhood & Youth Studies, Law and Business & Management (General). University of Birmingham offers 663 courses across 101 subject areas; University of Hertfordshire offers 468 courses across 86 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £27,090 a year at University of Birmingham and £15,500 at University of Hertfordshire: University of Hertfordshire is about £11,590 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,390 a year at University of Birmingham and £18,000 at University of Hertfordshire: University of Hertfordshire is about £5,390 a year cheaper.

Of the 38 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Birmingham is higher in 25 and University of Hertfordshire in 12, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Accounting: £37,000 three years after graduating from University of Birmingham, against £26,500 from University of Hertfordshire. Of the 38 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Hertfordshire is higher in 21 and University of Birmingham in 14, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#68
QS World
#851
#98
THE World
#601
#18
Guardian UK
#69
1900
Established
1952
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 Hertfordshire

86.7%
86.4%

Satisfaction

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

£38,700
£32,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83.3%
83.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
57.5%

International

International student share

663
468

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

Hertfordshire

77 countries · 57.5% international

  • 🇮🇳India44.6%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan26.4%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria10.3%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh5.5%
  • 🇨🇳China1.8%

Subjects

63 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 Hertfordshire

Also taught at both: Psychology (General), Physics, Teacher Training, Civil Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Clinical Specialities, Environmental Sciences, Media & Film Studies, Biomedical Sciences, Finance & Actuarial Science, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Education Studies, Geography (General), Sociology & Criminology, Biotechnology, General Engineering, Nursing (General), Public Health & Epidemiology, Mechanical Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Economics, Medicine, Pharmacy, Social Work, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, English Language, Film Production & Cinematography, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Accounting, Human Resource Management, Social Policy & Public Policy, Mental Health Nursing, Biology, Clinical & Health Psychology, Creative Writing, English Literature, Heritage & Conservation, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Human Geography & Environment, Adult Nursing, Social Sciences (General), Software Engineering, Statistics, Children's Nursing, Computing & IT, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Healthcare Science, Midwifery.

Only at University of Birmingham

Only at University of Hertfordshire

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 Hertfordshire
£15,500

University of Hertfordshire is about £11,590 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Birmingham
£23,390
University of Hertfordshire
£18,000

University of Hertfordshire is about £5,390 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 Hertfordshire

  • Law

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    83%Satisfaction89%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    79%Satisfaction85%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    86%Satisfaction95%

  • Computer Science

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    93%Satisfaction78%

  • Health Sciences & Paramedic Science

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    No dataSatisfaction89%

  • History

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    89%Satisfaction97%

  • Business Studies

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    77%Satisfaction91%

  • Marketing

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    79%Satisfaction90%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    88%Satisfaction82%

  • Mathematics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    85%Satisfaction85%

  • Manufacturing & Production Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    70%Satisfaction77%

  • Music

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    89%Satisfaction88%

Showing the 12 largest of 39 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 Hertfordshire

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Birmingham vs University of Hertfordshire: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £27,090 a year at University of Birmingham and £15,500 at University of Hertfordshire: University of Hertfordshire is about £11,590 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,390 a year at University of Birmingham and £18,000 at University of Hertfordshire: University of Hertfordshire is about £5,390 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 Hertfordshire?

Both universities teach 63 subject areas: Childhood & Youth Studies, Law, Business & Management (General), Politics & International Relations, Computer Science, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, History, Business Studies, Marketing, Health & Social Care, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Mathematics and 51 more.

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

Law graduates earn a median £27,500 three years after graduating from University of Birmingham, and £23,500 from University of Hertfordshire. Student satisfaction with teaching is 83% at University of Birmingham and 89% at University of Hertfordshire. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Birmingham lists 663 courses on CourseOptions and University of Hertfordshire lists 468 courses.

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

University of Birmingham teaches 38 subject areas that University of Hertfordshire does not, including Geology & Earth Sciences, International Development, Ancient Languages, Chemistry, History of Art & Design, Theology & Religious Studies, Chemical Engineering, Classical Studies and 30 more.

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

University of Hertfordshire teaches 23 subject areas that University of Birmingham does not, including Design & Fashion, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Building & Construction, Games Design & Computer Animation, Technology & Logistics, Public Relations, Architecture, Optometry & Ophthalmics and 15 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 Hertfordshire468 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses