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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 Portsmouth

Portsmouth · QS World #662

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.

7/12

Birmingham

scored higher in 7 categories

VS

5/12

Portsmouth

scored higher in 5 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Birmingham leads in 7 of 12 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, international, graduate salary, courses). University of Portsmouth is ahead on TEF, established, satisfaction, employment, scholarship.

University of Birmingham vs University of Portsmouth at a glance

University of Birmingham and University of Portsmouth both teach 66 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Law and Sociology & Criminology. University of Birmingham offers 663 courses across 101 subject areas; University of Portsmouth offers 446 courses across 84 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £27,090 a year at University of Birmingham and £17,900 at University of Portsmouth: University of Portsmouth is about £9,190 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,390 a year at University of Birmingham and £18,600 at University of Portsmouth: University of Portsmouth is about £4,790 a year cheaper.

Of the 41 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Birmingham is higher in 34 and University of Portsmouth in 5, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £40,000 three years after graduating from University of Birmingham, against £25,500 from University of Portsmouth. Of the 41 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Portsmouth is higher in 27 and University of Birmingham in 11, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#68
QS World
#662
#98
THE World
#401
#18
Guardian UK
#55
1900
Established
1869
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 Portsmouth

86.7%
86.9%

Satisfaction

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

£38,700
£32,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83.3%
84.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
24.5%

International

International student share

663
446

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

Portsmouth

96 countries · 24.5% international

  • 🇮🇳India22.1%
  • 🇨🇳China11.6%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria7.8%
  • 🌐Kuwait7.1%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan5.6%

Subjects

66 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 Portsmouth

Also taught at both: International Development, Ancient Languages, Accounting, Music, Physics, Economics, Geology & Earth Sciences, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Mathematics, Social Policy & Public Policy, Childhood & Youth Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Media & Film Studies, Mechanical Engineering, Psychology (General), Biomedical Sciences, English Language, Dentistry, Environmental Sciences, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Nursing (General), Chemical Engineering, Creative Writing, Film Production & Cinematography, Human Resource Management, Linguistics, Public Health & Epidemiology, Social Work, Drama & Theatre, English Literature, Planning & Housing, Adult Nursing, Applied Psychology, Biochemistry, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Pharmacy, Social Sciences (General), Biology, Clinical & Health Psychology, Information Systems & Data Science, Mental Health Nursing, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Dental Nursing, Software Engineering, Biotechnology, Computing & IT, Human Geography & Environment, Physical Geography & Climate, Anatomy & Pathology, Healthcare Science.

Only at University of Birmingham

Only at University of Portsmouth

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 Portsmouth
£17,900

University of Portsmouth is about £9,190 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Birmingham
£23,390
University of Portsmouth
£18,600

University of Portsmouth is about £4,790 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 Portsmouth

  • Politics & International Relations

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    86%Satisfaction87%

  • Law

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    83%Satisfaction88%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    83%Satisfaction87%

  • History

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    89%Satisfaction90%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    79%Satisfaction87%

  • Computer Science

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    93%Satisfaction82%

  • Education Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    83%Satisfaction89%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    88%Satisfaction86%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    83%Satisfaction84%

  • Management

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    84%Satisfaction87%

  • Marketing

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    79%Satisfaction86%

  • Business Studies

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    77%Satisfaction85%

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 Portsmouth

Portsmouth Football Club Partnership Scholarship

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

Estée Lauder Companies - Whitman Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Portsmouth Football Club Partnership Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Language Bursary

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Birmingham vs University of Portsmouth: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £27,090 a year at University of Birmingham and £17,900 at University of Portsmouth: University of Portsmouth is about £9,190 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,390 a year at University of Birmingham and £18,600 at University of Portsmouth: University of Portsmouth is about £4,790 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 Portsmouth?

Both universities teach 66 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Law, Sociology & Criminology, History, Business & Management (General), Computer Science, Teacher Training, Education Studies, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Management, Marketing and 54 more.

Is University of Birmingham or University of Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at University of Birmingham and 87% at University of Portsmouth. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Birmingham lists 663 courses on CourseOptions and University of Portsmouth lists 446 courses.

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

University of Birmingham teaches 35 subject areas that University of Portsmouth does not, including Health & Social Care, Philosophy, Chemistry, Microbiology & Cell Biology, History of Art & Design, Theology & Religious Studies, Classical Studies, French and 27 more.

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

University of Portsmouth teaches 18 subject areas that University of Birmingham does not, including Building & Construction, Design & Fashion, Games Design & Computer Animation, Architecture, Journalism, Applied Computing, Applied & General Science, Astronomy & Astrophysics and 10 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 Portsmouth446 courses · 5 scholarshipsBrowse Courses