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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 Plymouth

Plymouth · QS World #691

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 12 datapoints

We looked at 12 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

8/12

Birmingham

scored higher in 8 categories

VS

4/12

Plymouth

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Birmingham leads in 8 of 12 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses). University of Plymouth is ahead on TEF, established, employment, scholarship.

University of Birmingham vs University of Plymouth at a glance

University of Birmingham and University of Plymouth both teach 59 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Law and Geology & Earth Sciences. University of Birmingham offers 663 courses across 101 subject areas; University of Plymouth offers 310 courses across 78 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £27,090 a year at University of Birmingham and £19,200 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £7,890 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,390 a year at University of Birmingham and £19,500 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £3,890 a year cheaper.

Of the 41 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Birmingham is higher in 37 and University of Plymouth in 4. The widest gap is in Accounting: £37,000 three years after graduating from University of Birmingham, against £24,000 from University of Plymouth. Of the 38 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Plymouth is higher in 26 and University of Birmingham in 7, with 5 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#68
QS World
#691
#98
THE World
#501
#18
Guardian UK
#56
1900
Established
1862
Yes
Russell Group
No
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 Plymouth

86.7%
86.6%

Satisfaction

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

£38,700
£30,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83.3%
84.2%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
11.9%

International

International student share

663
310

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

3
10

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

Plymouth

71 countries · 11.9% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria14.6%
  • 🇨🇳China12.2%
  • 🇮🇳India11%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.7%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka3.3%

Subjects

59 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 Plymouth

Also taught at both: Education Studies, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Music, Dentistry, Environmental Sciences, Finance & Actuarial Science, Economics, Adult Nursing, Geography (General), Management, Nursing (General), Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Chemical Engineering, English Studies, General Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Media & Film Studies, Medicine, Physical Geography & Climate, Childhood & Youth Studies, Accounting, Anthropology, Clinical & Health Psychology, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Creative Writing, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Social Work, Drama & Theatre, Human Geography & Environment, Statistics, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biological Sciences (General), Biology, Children's Nursing, Film Production & Cinematography, Heritage & Conservation, Mental Health Nursing, Midwifery, Applied Psychology, Social Sciences (General), Software Engineering, Human Resource Management, Anatomy & Pathology.

Only at University of Birmingham

Only at University of Plymouth

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 Plymouth
£19,200

University of Plymouth is about £7,890 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Birmingham
£23,390
University of Plymouth
£19,500

University of Plymouth is about £3,890 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 Plymouth

  • Politics & International Relations

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    86%Satisfaction86%

  • Law

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£21,500
    83%Satisfaction84%

  • Geology & Earth Sciences

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    91%Satisfaction91%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    79%Satisfaction83%

  • History

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    89%Satisfaction94%

  • Civil Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    78%Satisfaction94%

  • Psychology (General)

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£21,500
    90%Satisfaction84%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    83%Satisfaction83%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    82%Satisfaction84%

  • Health Sciences & Paramedic Science

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    No dataSatisfaction95%

  • Marketing

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    79%Satisfaction90%

  • Mathematics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    85%Satisfaction86%

Showing the 12 largest of 42 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 Plymouth

GREAT Scholarships

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

International Undergraduate Welcome to Plymouth Scholarship

£6,000

Deadline: N/A

Tamar Engineering Project

£4,500

Deadline: Jun 2026

International Postgraduate Welcome to Plymouth Scholarship

£4,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Birmingham vs University of Plymouth: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £27,090 a year at University of Birmingham and £19,200 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £7,890 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,390 a year at University of Birmingham and £19,500 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £3,890 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 Plymouth?

Both universities teach 59 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Law, Geology & Earth Sciences, Business & Management (General), History, Civil Engineering, Psychology (General), Sociology & Criminology, Biomedical Sciences, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Marketing, Mathematics and 47 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £28,000 three years after graduating from University of Birmingham, and £24,000 from University of Plymouth. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at University of Birmingham and 86% at University of Plymouth. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Birmingham lists 663 courses on CourseOptions and University of Plymouth lists 310 courses.

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

University of Birmingham teaches 42 subject areas that University of Plymouth does not, including Health & Social Care, Philosophy, Teacher Training, International Development, Physics, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Ancient Languages, Microbiology & Cell Biology and 34 more.

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

University of Plymouth teaches 19 subject areas that University of Birmingham does not, including Design & Fashion, Ecology & Conservation, Nutrition & Dietetics, Marine Engineering & Technology, Building & Construction, Agriculture & Land Management, Complementary & Alternative Medicine, Games Design & Computer Animation and 11 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 Plymouth310 courses · 10 scholarshipsBrowse Courses