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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 Oxford

Oxford · QS World #4

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.

3/11

Birmingham

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

8/11

Oxford

scored higher in 8 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Oxford leads in 8 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, TEF, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary). University of Birmingham is ahead on employment, courses, scholarship.

University of Birmingham vs University of Oxford at a glance

University of Birmingham and University of Oxford both teach 65 subject areas, the largest being History, Classical Studies and Politics & International Relations. University of Birmingham offers 663 courses across 101 subject areas; University of Oxford offers 642 courses across 79 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £27,090 a year at University of Birmingham and £43,600 at University of Oxford: University of Birmingham is about £16,510 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,390 a year at University of Birmingham and £38,430 at University of Oxford: University of Birmingham is about £15,040 a year cheaper.

Of the 27 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Oxford is higher in 26 and University of Birmingham in 1. The widest gap is in Law: £27,500 three years after graduating from University of Birmingham, against £52,500 from University of Oxford. Of the 26 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Oxford is higher in 22 and University of Birmingham in 3, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#68
QS World
#4
#98
THE World
#1
#18
Guardian UK
#1
1900
Established
1096
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 Oxford

86.7%
92.5%

Satisfaction

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

£38,700
£50,000

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83.3%
76.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
37.2%

International

International student share

663
642

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

3
1

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

Oxford

118 countries · 37.2% international

  • 🇨🇳China18.2%
  • 🇺🇸United States16.8%
  • 🇩🇪Germany5.6%
  • 🇮🇳India5.2%
  • 🇨🇦Canada4.6%

Subjects

65 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 Oxford

Also taught at both: Theology & Religious Studies, General Engineering, Health & Social Care, Linguistics, Business & Management (General), Music, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Civil Engineering, Clinical Specialities, Computer Science, Economics, Geology & Earth Sciences, Mathematics, Sociology & Criminology, Biomedical Sciences, Chemistry, Finance & Actuarial Science, International Development, Psychology (General), Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Education Studies, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Anthropology, Archaeology, Biochemistry, History of Art & Design, Biology, Business Studies, Medicine, Public Health & Epidemiology, Social Policy & Public Policy, Social Work, Chemical Engineering, Geography (General), Media & Film Studies, English Language, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Materials Science, Social Sciences (General), Statistics, Anatomy & Pathology, Management, Clinical & Health Psychology, English Literature, Human Geography & Environment, Genetics & Genomics, Physical Geography & Climate, Computing & IT, Software Engineering, Film Production & Cinematography.

Only at University of Birmingham

Only at University of Oxford

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 Oxford
£43,600

University of Birmingham is about £16,510 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Birmingham
£23,390
University of Oxford
£38,430

University of Birmingham is about £15,040 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 Oxford

  • History

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    89%Satisfaction96%

  • Classical Studies

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    92%Satisfaction95%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£38,500
    86%Satisfaction89%

  • Law

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£52,500
    83%SatisfactionNo data

  • Spanish & Portuguese

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    88%Satisfaction94%

  • German & Scandinavian Studies

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    93%Satisfaction96%

  • English Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    95%Satisfaction97%

  • Eastern European Languages

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    90%Satisfaction96%

  • French

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    85%Satisfaction96%

  • Ancient Languages

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    91%Satisfaction85%

  • Physics

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£43,000
    93%Satisfaction94%

  • Italian

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    90%Satisfaction93%

Showing the 12 largest of 27 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 Oxford

The Rhodes Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Birmingham vs University of Oxford: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £27,090 a year at University of Birmingham and £43,600 at University of Oxford: University of Birmingham is about £16,510 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,390 a year at University of Birmingham and £38,430 at University of Oxford: University of Birmingham is about £15,040 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 Oxford?

Both universities teach 65 subject areas: History, Classical Studies, Politics & International Relations, Childhood & Youth Studies, Law, Spanish & Portuguese, German & Scandinavian Studies, English Studies, Eastern European Languages, French, Ancient Languages, Physics and 53 more.

Is University of Birmingham or University of Oxford better for History?

History graduates earn a median £26,000 three years after graduating from University of Birmingham, and £33,000 from University of Oxford. Student satisfaction with teaching is 89% at University of Birmingham and 96% at University of Oxford. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Birmingham lists 663 courses on CourseOptions and University of Oxford lists 642 courses.

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

University of Birmingham teaches 36 subject areas that University of Oxford does not, including Teacher Training, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Marketing, Environmental Sciences, Nursing (General), Dentistry, Planning & Housing, Accounting and 28 more.

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

University of Oxford teaches 14 subject areas that University of Birmingham does not, including Asian Languages & Studies, Welsh Studies, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Building & Construction, Pharmacology, Celtic Studies, Fine Art, Humanities and 6 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 Oxford642 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses