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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 Kent

Canterbury · QS World #415

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.

11/11

Birmingham

scored higher in 11 categories

VS

0/11

Kent

scored higher in 0 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Birmingham leads in 11 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Kent does not lead in any category where both have data.

University of Birmingham vs University of Kent at a glance

University of Birmingham and University of Kent both teach 51 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Law and History. University of Birmingham offers 663 courses across 101 subject areas; University of Kent offers 335 courses across 63 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £27,090 a year at University of Birmingham and £23,500 at University of Kent: University of Kent is about £3,590 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,390 a year at University of Birmingham and £20,700 at University of Kent: University of Kent is about £2,690 a year cheaper.

Of the 24 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Birmingham is higher in 15 and University of Kent in 6, with 3 about level. The widest gap is in Finance & Actuarial Science: £35,000 three years after graduating from University of Birmingham, against £41,500 from University of Kent. Of the 28 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Birmingham is higher in 13 and University of Kent in 11, with 4 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#68
QS World
#415
#98
THE World
#401
#18
Guardian UK
#47
1900
Established
1965
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 Kent

86.7%
84%

Satisfaction

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

£38,700
£33,600

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83.3%
80%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
16%

International

International student share

663
335

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

Kent

85 countries · 16% international

  • 🇮🇳India9.9%
  • 🇨🇳China6.8%
  • 🇹🇭Thailand6.6%
  • 🇫🇷France5.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria5.3%

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 Kent

Also taught at both: Business Studies, Biology, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Ancient Languages, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Applied Psychology, Accounting, Management, Biochemistry, Media & Film Studies, Classical Studies, Creative Writing, Environmental Sciences, French, Pharmacy, Social Policy & Public Policy, Drama & Theatre, General Engineering, Social Sciences (General), German & Scandinavian Studies, Mechanical Engineering, Social Work, Archaeology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Clinical & Health Psychology, English Literature, English Studies, Film Production & Cinematography, Linguistics, Software Engineering, Spanish & Portuguese, Statistics, Biotechnology, Genetics & Genomics, Human Resource Management.

Only at University of Birmingham

Only at University of Kent

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 Kent
£23,500

University of Kent is about £3,590 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Birmingham
£23,390
University of Kent
£20,700

University of Kent is about £2,690 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 Kent

  • Politics & International Relations

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    86%Satisfaction87%

  • Law

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    83%Satisfaction86%

  • History

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    89%Satisfaction93%

  • Computer Science

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£37,000
    93%Satisfaction79%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£41,500
    80%Satisfaction81%

  • Physics

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    93%Satisfaction82%

  • Economics

    £34,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    85%Satisfaction85%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    83%Satisfaction83%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    88%Satisfaction88%

  • Mathematics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    85%Satisfaction87%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £35,000Salary (3 years)No data
    79%Satisfaction77%

  • Marketing

    £35,000Salary (3 years)No data
    79%Satisfaction78%

Showing the 12 largest of 28 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 Kent

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Birmingham vs University of Kent: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £27,090 a year at University of Birmingham and £23,500 at University of Kent: University of Kent is about £3,590 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,390 a year at University of Birmingham and £20,700 at University of Kent: University of Kent is about £2,690 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 Kent?

Both universities teach 51 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Law, History, Computer Science, Finance & Actuarial Science, Physics, Economics, Sociology & Criminology, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Mathematics, Business & Management (General), Marketing and 39 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £28,000 three years after graduating from University of Birmingham, and £25,500 from University of Kent. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at University of Birmingham and 87% at University of Kent. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Birmingham lists 663 courses on CourseOptions and University of Kent lists 335 courses.

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

University of Birmingham teaches 50 subject areas that University of Kent does not, including Philosophy, Teacher Training, Civil Engineering, Geology & Earth Sciences, International Development, Music, Education Studies, Biomedical Sciences and 42 more.

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

University of Kent teaches 12 subject areas that University of Birmingham does not, including Architecture, Ecology & Conservation, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Forensic Science, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Biomedical Engineering, Business Information Systems, Design & Fashion and 4 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

U
University of Birmingham663 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Kent335 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses