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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 Northampton

Northampton · QS World #1201

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

Northampton

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 Northampton does not lead in any category where both have data.

University of Birmingham vs University of Northampton at a glance

University of Birmingham and University of Northampton both teach 50 subject areas, the largest being Law, Politics & International Relations and Business & Management (General). University of Birmingham offers 663 courses across 101 subject areas; University of Northampton offers 221 courses across 60 subject areas.

For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,390 a year at University of Birmingham and £19,000 at University of Northampton: University of Northampton is about £4,390 a year cheaper.

Of the 33 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Birmingham is higher in 28 and University of Northampton in 4, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning: £40,000 three years after graduating from University of Birmingham, against £24,000 from University of Northampton. Of the 33 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Northampton is higher in 21 and University of Birmingham in 11, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#68
QS World
#1201
#98
THE World
#1501
#18
Guardian UK
#93
1900
Established
1975
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 Northampton

86.7%
86%

Satisfaction

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

£38,700
£29,200

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83.3%
82.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
16.4%

International

International student share

663
221

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

Northampton

35 countries · 16.4% international

  • 🇵🇰Pakistan27%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria18.2%
  • 🇮🇳India14.2%
  • 🌐Nepal8.3%
  • 🇬🇭Ghana4.1%

Subjects

50 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 Northampton

Also taught at both: Biomedical Sciences, Business Studies, Media & Film Studies, Accounting, Childhood & Youth Studies, Environmental Sciences, General Engineering, Nursing (General), Social Policy & Public Policy, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Applied Psychology, Biochemistry, Mechanical Engineering, Public Health & Epidemiology, Social Work, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Clinical & Health Psychology, Drama & Theatre, English Studies, Human Resource Management, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Adult Nursing, Biological Sciences (General), Biology, Mental Health Nursing, Film Production & Cinematography, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Information Systems & Data Science, Physical Geography & Climate, Children's Nursing, Computing & IT, Dental Nursing, Midwifery.

Only at University of Birmingham

Only at University of Northampton

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 Northampton
No data

We do not have reliable international fee data for University of Northampton yet.

Postgraduate

University of Birmingham
£23,390
University of Northampton
£19,000

University of Northampton is about £4,390 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 Northampton

  • Law

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    83%Satisfaction81%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    79%Satisfaction80%

  • History

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    89%Satisfaction93%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£21,500
    88%Satisfaction99%

  • Marketing

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    79%Satisfaction89%

  • Education Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    83%Satisfaction94%

  • Health Sciences & Paramedic Science

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    No dataSatisfaction76%

  • Music

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£18,500
    89%Satisfaction86%

  • Computer Science

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    93%Satisfaction75%

  • Psychology (General)

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£22,000
    90%Satisfaction72%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    83%Satisfaction86%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    80%Satisfaction83%

Showing the 12 largest of 34 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 Northampton

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Birmingham vs University of Northampton: common questions

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

For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,390 a year at University of Birmingham and £19,000 at University of Northampton: University of Northampton is about £4,390 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 Northampton?

Both universities teach 50 subject areas: Law, Politics & International Relations, Business & Management (General), History, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Marketing, Education Studies, Health & Social Care, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Teacher Training, Music, Computer Science and 38 more.

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

Law graduates earn a median £27,500 three years after graduating from University of Birmingham, and £21,000 from University of Northampton. Student satisfaction with teaching is 83% at University of Birmingham and 81% at University of Northampton. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Birmingham lists 663 courses on CourseOptions and University of Northampton lists 221 courses.

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

University of Birmingham teaches 51 subject areas that University of Northampton does not, including Philosophy, Civil Engineering, Geology & Earth Sciences, International Development, Physics, Ancient Languages, Chemistry, Mathematics and 43 more.

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

University of Northampton teaches 10 subject areas that University of Birmingham does not, including Design & Fashion, Games Design & Computer Animation, Fine Art, Journalism, Business Information Systems, Complementary & Alternative Medicine, Crafts & Applied Arts, Learning Disabilities Nursing and 2 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 Northampton221 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses