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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 Salford

Salford · QS World #1001

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.

9/11

Birmingham

scored higher in 9 categories

VS

2/11

Salford

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Birmingham leads in 9 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary, courses). University of Salford is ahead on established, scholarship.

University of Birmingham vs University of Salford at a glance

University of Birmingham and University of Salford both teach 51 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Politics & International Relations and Law. University of Birmingham offers 663 courses across 101 subject areas; University of Salford offers 305 courses across 72 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £27,090 a year at University of Birmingham and £17,040 at University of Salford: University of Salford is about £10,050 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,390 a year at University of Birmingham and £17,710 at University of Salford: University of Salford is about £5,680 a year cheaper.

Of the 31 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Birmingham is higher in 28 and University of Salford in 3. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £40,000 three years after graduating from University of Birmingham, against £23,500 from University of Salford. Of the 31 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Birmingham is higher in 15 and University of Salford in 15, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#68
QS World
#1001
#98
THE World
#801
#18
Guardian UK
#82
1900
Established
1896
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 Salford

86.7%
85.2%

Satisfaction

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

£38,700
£28,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83.3%
82.5%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
19.1%

International

International student share

663
305

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

Salford

63 countries · 19.1% international

  • 🇮🇳India34.8%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria27.4%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan12.9%
  • 🌐Kuwait3.7%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh2.6%

Subjects

51 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 Salford

Also taught at both: Media & Film Studies, Psychology (General), Chemistry, Film Production & Cinematography, Drama & Theatre, Finance & Actuarial Science, Mathematics, Nursing (General), Biochemistry, Geography (General), Aerospace Engineering, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Social Work, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Human Geography & Environment, Management, Mechanical Engineering, Public Health & Epidemiology, Accounting, Applied Psychology, Biology, Creative Writing, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Midwifery, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Social Sciences (General), Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Information Systems & Data Science, Adult Nursing, English Literature, Mental Health Nursing, Physical Geography & Climate, Biotechnology, Software Engineering, Children's Nursing, Human Resource Management.

Only at University of Birmingham

Only at University of Salford

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 Salford
£17,040

University of Salford is about £10,050 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Birmingham
£23,390
University of Salford
£17,710

University of Salford is about £5,680 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 Salford

  • Business & Management (General)

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£21,500
    79%Satisfaction74%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    86%Satisfaction87%

  • Law

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£20,500
    83%Satisfaction81%

  • History

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    89%Satisfaction93%

  • Business Studies

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    77%Satisfaction99%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£21,500
    88%Satisfaction96%

  • Civil Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    78%Satisfaction84%

  • Physics

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    93%Satisfaction98%

  • Marketing

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£21,500
    79%Satisfaction71%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£22,000
    83%Satisfaction80%

  • Music

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£18,500
    89%Satisfaction85%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    82%Satisfaction83%

Showing the 12 largest of 32 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 Salford

Salford/International Nursing College Scholarships

£8,160

Deadline: N/A

Salford/EATL Data Science Scholarships

£7,100

Deadline: N/A

Global Gold Excellence Scholarship

£3,500

Deadline: N/A

Global Silver Excellence Scholarship

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

IFY Excellence Scholarship

£2,500

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Birmingham vs University of Salford: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £27,090 a year at University of Birmingham and £17,040 at University of Salford: University of Salford is about £10,050 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,390 a year at University of Birmingham and £17,710 at University of Salford: University of Salford is about £5,680 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 Salford?

Both universities teach 51 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Politics & International Relations, Law, History, Business Studies, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Civil Engineering, Physics, Marketing, Philosophy, Sociology & Criminology, Music and 39 more.

Is University of Birmingham or University of Salford better for Business & Management (General)?

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £35,000 three years after graduating from University of Birmingham, and £21,500 from University of Salford. Student satisfaction with teaching is 79% at University of Birmingham and 74% at University of Salford. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Birmingham lists 663 courses on CourseOptions and University of Salford lists 305 courses.

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

University of Birmingham teaches 50 subject areas that University of Salford does not, including Health & Social Care, Teacher Training, Geology & Earth Sciences, International Development, Ancient Languages, Education Studies, Microbiology & Cell Biology, History of Art & Design and 42 more.

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

University of Salford teaches 21 subject areas that University of Birmingham does not, including Design & Fashion, Building & Construction, Zoology & Animal Biology, Architecture, Journalism, Business Information Systems, Dance, Fine Art and 13 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 Salford305 courses · 5 scholarshipsBrowse Courses