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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

U
University of Liverpool

Liverpool · QS World #139

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.

7/11

Birmingham

scored higher in 7 categories

VS

4/11

Liverpool

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Birmingham leads in 7 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, employment, international, graduate salary, scholarship). University of Liverpool is ahead on TEF, established, satisfaction, courses.

University of Birmingham vs University of Liverpool at a glance

University of Birmingham and University of Liverpool both teach 72 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Music and History. University of Birmingham offers 663 courses across 101 subject areas; University of Liverpool offers 793 courses across 94 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £27,090 a year at University of Birmingham and £32,000 at University of Liverpool: University of Birmingham is about £4,910 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,390 a year at University of Birmingham and £30,000 at University of Liverpool: University of Birmingham is about £6,610 a year cheaper.

Of the 45 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Birmingham is higher in 43 and University of Liverpool in 2. The widest gap is in Business Studies: £35,000 three years after graduating from University of Birmingham, against £26,500 from University of Liverpool. Of the 45 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Liverpool is higher in 33 and University of Birmingham in 12.

World & National Rankings

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

#68
QS World
#139
#98
THE World
#143
#18
Guardian UK
#28
1900
Established
1881
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 Liverpool

86.7%
87.7%

Satisfaction

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

£38,700
£34,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83.3%
79.9%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
24.1%

International

International student share

663
793

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

Liverpool

93 countries · 24.1% international

  • 🇨🇳China40.6%
  • 🇮🇳India17.1%
  • 🌐Kuwait4.3%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia4%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.1%

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 Liverpool

Also taught at both: Computer Science, Chemistry, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Civil Engineering, Economics, German & Scandinavian Studies, Italian, Geology & Earth Sciences, Health & Social Care, Marketing, Spanish & Portuguese, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Biomedical Sciences, General Engineering, Ancient Languages, Medicine, Psychology (General), English Language, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Biology, English Literature, Geography (General), Mechanical Engineering, Nursing (General), Social Policy & Public Policy, Dentistry, Planning & Housing, Accounting, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Environmental Sciences, Public Health & Epidemiology, Childhood & Youth Studies, Biochemistry, Management, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Clinical & Health Psychology, Clinical Specialities, Drama & Theatre, Pharmacy, Physical Geography & Climate, Heritage & Conservation, Human Geography & Environment, Information Systems & Data Science, Software Engineering, Anatomy & Pathology, Biological Sciences (General), Computing & IT, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Eastern European Languages, Dental Nursing, Film Production & Cinematography, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Human Resource Management.

Only at University of Birmingham

Only at University of Liverpool

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 Liverpool
£32,000

University of Birmingham is about £4,910 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Birmingham
£23,390
University of Liverpool
£30,000

University of Birmingham is about £6,610 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 Liverpool

  • Politics & International Relations

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    86%Satisfaction87%

  • Music

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
    89%Satisfaction91%

  • History

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    89%Satisfaction93%

  • Law

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    83%Satisfaction86%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    83%Satisfaction86%

  • Archaeology

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    83%Satisfaction92%

  • Mathematics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    85%Satisfaction82%

  • Media & Film Studies

    No dataSalary (3 years)£22,500
    95%Satisfaction87%

  • Philosophy

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    93%Satisfaction89%

  • Physics

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    93%Satisfaction95%

  • Business Studies

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    77%Satisfaction83%

  • Classical Studies

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    92%Satisfaction93%

Showing the 12 largest of 46 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 Liverpool

Liverpool Advancement Scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

Postgraduate Opportunity Bursary

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Birmingham vs University of Liverpool: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £27,090 a year at University of Birmingham and £32,000 at University of Liverpool: University of Birmingham is about £4,910 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,390 a year at University of Birmingham and £30,000 at University of Liverpool: University of Birmingham is about £6,610 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 Liverpool?

Both universities teach 72 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Music, History, Law, Sociology & Criminology, Archaeology, Mathematics, Media & Film Studies, Philosophy, Physics, Business & Management (General), Business Studies and 60 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £28,000 three years after graduating from University of Birmingham, and £23,500 from University of Liverpool. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at University of Birmingham and 87% at University of Liverpool. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Liverpool lists 793 courses on CourseOptions and University of Birmingham lists 663 courses.

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

University of Birmingham teaches 29 subject areas that University of Liverpool does not, including Teacher Training, International Development, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Education Studies, History of Art & Design, Theology & Religious Studies, Chemical Engineering, Anthropology and 21 more.

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

University of Liverpool teaches 22 subject areas that University of Birmingham does not, including Asian Languages & Studies, Irish Studies, Architecture, Ecology & Conservation, Medical Imaging, Biomedical Engineering, Business Information Systems, Optometry & Ophthalmics and 14 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 Liverpool793 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses