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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 South Wales

Pontypridd · QS World #1201

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.

8/10

Birmingham

scored higher in 8 categories

VS

2/10

South Wales

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Birmingham leads in 8 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, international, graduate salary, courses). University of South Wales is ahead on employment, scholarship.

University of Birmingham vs University of South Wales at a glance

University of Birmingham and University of South Wales both teach 47 subject areas, the largest being Law, Business & Management (General) and Politics & International Relations. University of Birmingham offers 663 courses across 101 subject areas; University of South Wales offers 331 courses across 63 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £27,090 a year at University of Birmingham and £16,200 at University of South Wales: University of South Wales is about £10,890 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,390 a year at University of Birmingham and £17,900 at University of South Wales: University of South Wales is about £5,490 a year cheaper.

Of the 29 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Birmingham is higher in 26 and University of South Wales in 2, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £40,000 three years after graduating from University of Birmingham, against £19,500 from University of South Wales. Of the 29 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of South Wales is higher in 19 and University of Birmingham in 8, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#68
QS World
#1201
#98
THE World
#1201
#18
Guardian UK
#83
1900
Established
1913
Yes
Russell Group
No
Silver
TEF Rating
—

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 South Wales

86.7%
86.7%

Satisfaction

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

£38,700
£27,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83.3%
84.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
22%

International

International student share

663
331

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

3
23

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

South Wales

71 countries · 22% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria17.6%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh16.6%
  • 🇮🇳India16.1%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan15.7%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka6.6%

Subjects

47 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 South Wales

Also taught at both: Aerospace Engineering, Sociology & Criminology, Chemistry, Media & Film Studies, Business Studies, Childhood & Youth Studies, Computer Science, Film Production & Cinematography, Finance & Actuarial Science, Biomedical Sciences, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Accounting, Drama & Theatre, Mechanical Engineering, Biology, General Engineering, Management, Software Engineering, Public Health & Epidemiology, Social Policy & Public Policy, Social Work, Information Systems & Data Science, Social Sciences (General), Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, English Studies, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Human Geography & Environment, Human Resource Management, Midwifery, Statistics, Hospitality, Events & Tourism.

Only at University of Birmingham

Only at University of South Wales

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 South Wales
£16,200

University of South Wales is about £10,890 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Birmingham
£23,390
University of South Wales
£17,900

University of South Wales is about £5,490 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 South Wales

  • Law

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£20,000
    83%Satisfaction96%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
    79%Satisfaction94%

  • Psychology (General)

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    90%Satisfaction90%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    88%Satisfaction87%

  • History

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£19,500
    89%Satisfaction95%

  • Health Sciences & Paramedic Science

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    No dataSatisfaction97%

  • Civil Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    78%Satisfaction83%

  • Marketing

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
    79%Satisfaction94%

  • Music

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£18,500
    89%Satisfaction71%

  • Education Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£18,500
    83%Satisfaction92%

  • Aerospace Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    78%Satisfaction89%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    83%Satisfaction83%

Showing the 12 largest of 30 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 South Wales

USW Postgraduate Refugee Sanctuary Scheme

100%

Deadline: N/A

USW Postgraduate Sanctuary Scholarship 2026/2027

100%

Deadline: Jul 2026

USW Postgraduate Sanctuary Scholarship 2027/2028

100%

Deadline: Jul 2027

USW Refugee Sanctuary Scheme

100%

Deadline: N/A

Undergraduate Sanctuary Scholarship 2026/2027

100%

Deadline: Jul 2026

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Birmingham vs University of South Wales: common questions

Is University of Birmingham or University of South Wales cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £27,090 a year at University of Birmingham and £16,200 at University of South Wales: University of South Wales is about £10,890 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,390 a year at University of Birmingham and £17,900 at University of South Wales: University of South Wales is about £5,490 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 South Wales?

Both universities teach 47 subject areas: Law, Business & Management (General), Politics & International Relations, Psychology (General), Teacher Training, Sport & Exercise Sciences, History, Healthcare Science, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Civil Engineering, Health & Social Care, Nursing (General) and 35 more.

Is University of Birmingham or University of South Wales better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £27,500 three years after graduating from University of Birmingham, and £20,000 from University of South Wales. Student satisfaction with teaching is 83% at University of Birmingham and 96% at University of South Wales. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does University of Birmingham or University of South Wales offer more courses?

University of Birmingham lists 663 courses on CourseOptions and University of South Wales lists 331 courses.

What can you study at University of Birmingham but not at University of South Wales?

University of Birmingham teaches 54 subject areas that University of South Wales does not, including Philosophy, Geology & Earth Sciences, International Development, Physics, Ancient Languages, Mathematics, Microbiology & Cell Biology, History of Art & Design and 46 more.

What can you study at University of South Wales but not at University of Birmingham?

University of South Wales teaches 16 subject areas that University of Birmingham does not, including Building & Construction, Design & Fashion, Forensic Science, Community & Specialist Nursing, Games Design & Computer Animation, Applied Computing, Complementary & Alternative Medicine, Journalism and 8 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 South Wales331 courses · 23 scholarshipsBrowse Courses