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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 Nottingham

Nottingham · QS World #97

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 10 datapoints

We looked at 10 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

7/10

Birmingham

scored higher in 7 categories

VS

3/10

Nottingham

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Birmingham leads in 7 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, satisfaction, employment, international, courses). University of Nottingham is ahead on established, graduate salary, scholarship.

University of Birmingham vs University of Nottingham at a glance

University of Birmingham and University of Nottingham both teach 81 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Electronic & Electrical Engineering and Health Sciences & Paramedic Science. University of Birmingham offers 663 courses across 101 subject areas; University of Nottingham offers 580 courses across 98 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £27,090 a year at University of Birmingham and £33,000 at University of Nottingham: University of Birmingham is about £5,910 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,390 a year at University of Birmingham and £30,800 at University of Nottingham: University of Birmingham is about £7,410 a year cheaper.

Of the 38 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Nottingham is higher in 27 and University of Birmingham in 10, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Sociology & Criminology: £25,000 three years after graduating from University of Birmingham, against £32,500 from University of Nottingham. Of the 40 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Nottingham is higher in 20 and University of Birmingham in 18, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#68
QS World
#97
#98
THE World
#145
#18
Guardian UK
#21
1900
Established
1881
Yes
Russell Group
Yes
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 Nottingham

86.7%
86.6%

Satisfaction

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

£38,700
£40,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83.3%
79.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
21.1%

International

International student share

663
580

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

3
5

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

Nottingham

98 countries · 21.1% international

  • 🇨🇳China42.6%
  • 🇮🇳India9%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia4.4%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4%
  • 🇹🇷Turkey2.7%

Subjects

81 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 Nottingham

Also taught at both: Chemistry, Childhood & Youth Studies, Media & Film Studies, Psychology (General), Biomedical Sciences, Finance & Actuarial Science, Sociology & Criminology, Sport & Exercise Sciences, International Development, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Music, Geology & Earth Sciences, Linguistics, Public Health & Epidemiology, History of Art & Design, Marketing, Mechanical Engineering, Theology & Religious Studies, Classical Studies, Clinical Specialities, Ancient Languages, Archaeology, Biotechnology, Education Studies, English Studies, Human Geography & Environment, Management, Social Sciences (General), Business Studies, Environmental Sciences, Medicine, Biochemistry, French, General Engineering, Geography (General), Pharmacy, Aerospace Engineering, Applied Psychology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, English Language, Social Policy & Public Policy, Creative Writing, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Accounting, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Anatomy & Pathology, Biology, Natural Sciences, Social Work, Clinical & Health Psychology, Information Systems & Data Science, Mental Health Nursing, Adult Nursing, Eastern European Languages, Food Production & Technology, Liberal Arts, Materials Science, English Literature, Genetics & Genomics, Midwifery, Physical Geography & Climate, Statistics, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Film Production & Cinematography, Human Resource Management.

Only at University of Birmingham

Only at University of Nottingham

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 Nottingham
£33,000

University of Birmingham is about £5,910 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Birmingham
£23,390
University of Nottingham
£30,800

University of Birmingham is about £7,410 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 Nottingham

  • Politics & International Relations

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    86%Satisfaction88%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£35,500
    83%Satisfaction86%

  • Philosophy

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    93%Satisfaction93%

  • History

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    89%Satisfaction89%

  • Computer Science

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£36,000
    93%Satisfaction79%

  • Law

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£34,000
    83%Satisfaction89%

  • Civil Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£31,500
    78%Satisfaction92%

  • Physics

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    93%Satisfaction88%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £34,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    86%Satisfaction89%

  • Mathematics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    85%Satisfaction81%

  • Economics

    £34,500Salary (3 years)£38,500
    85%Satisfaction83%

  • Chemistry

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    93%Satisfaction90%

Showing the 12 largest of 41 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 Nottingham

Taiwan Research Hub PhD Scholarship 2026/27

£11,000

Deadline: N/A

Molson Coors Award

50%

Deadline: N/A

The Witty Entrepreneurial Scholarship

£750

Deadline: N/A

Hillsborough Trust Memorial Bursary

£500

Deadline: N/A

PhD Scholarships

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Birmingham vs University of Nottingham: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £27,090 a year at University of Birmingham and £33,000 at University of Nottingham: University of Birmingham is about £5,910 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,390 a year at University of Birmingham and £30,800 at University of Nottingham: University of Birmingham is about £7,410 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 Nottingham?

Both universities teach 81 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Philosophy, History, Computer Science, Law, Civil Engineering, Physics, Chemical Engineering, Health & Social Care, Business & Management (General) and 69 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £28,000 three years after graduating from University of Birmingham, and £29,500 from University of Nottingham. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at University of Birmingham and 88% at University of Nottingham. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Birmingham lists 663 courses on CourseOptions and University of Nottingham lists 580 courses.

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

University of Birmingham teaches 20 subject areas that University of Nottingham does not, including Teacher Training, Nursing (General), Dentistry, Planning & Housing, Anthropology, Drama & Theatre, German & Scandinavian Studies, Author Studies & Literary Specialisms and 12 more.

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

University of Nottingham teaches 17 subject areas that University of Birmingham does not, including Architecture, Building & Construction, American & Comparative Studies, Nutrition & Dietetics, Veterinary Medicine, Food Science, Cultural Studies, Design & Fashion and 9 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 Nottingham580 courses · 5 scholarshipsBrowse Courses