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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 Southampton

Southampton · QS World #111

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.

5/10

Birmingham

scored higher in 5 categories

VS

5/10

Southampton

scored higher in 5 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Birmingham and University of Southampton are evenly matched: each leads in 5 of 10 categories where both have data. University of Birmingham is ahead on ranking, employment, graduate salary, courses; University of Southampton on ranking, established, satisfaction, international, scholarship.

University of Birmingham vs University of Southampton at a glance

University of Birmingham and University of Southampton both teach 70 subject areas, the largest being General Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering and Business & Management (General). University of Birmingham offers 663 courses across 101 subject areas; University of Southampton offers 545 courses across 91 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £27,090 a year at University of Birmingham and £26,000 at University of Southampton: University of Southampton is about £1,090 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,390 a year at University of Birmingham and £31,200 at University of Southampton: University of Birmingham is about £7,810 a year cheaper.

Of the 44 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Southampton is higher in 27 and University of Birmingham in 14, with 3 about level. The widest gap is in Electronic & Electrical Engineering: £33,000 three years after graduating from University of Birmingham, against £40,500 from University of Southampton. Of the 46 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Southampton is higher in 26 and University of Birmingham in 14, with 6 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#68
QS World
#111
#98
THE World
#129
#18
Guardian UK
#16
1900
Established
1862
Yes
Russell Group
Yes
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 Southampton

86.7%
87%

Satisfaction

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

£38,700
£37,200

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83.3%
82.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
35.1%

International

International student share

663
545

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

3
52

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

Southampton

103 countries · 35.1% international

  • 🇨🇳China63.5%
  • 🇮🇳India4.8%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia2.8%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia2.6%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.5%

Subjects

70 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 Southampton

Also taught at both: Health & Social Care, Marketing, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Computer Science, Teacher Training, Environmental Sciences, Mathematics, Music, Aerospace Engineering, Archaeology, Economics, Education Studies, Business Studies, International Development, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, English Literature, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Psychology (General), Accounting, Biomedical Sciences, Social Policy & Public Policy, Medicine, Nursing (General), Management, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biochemistry, Clinical & Health Psychology, English Language, Software Engineering, Anthropology, Biology, Clinical Specialities, Adult Nursing, English Studies, Healthcare Science, Heritage & Conservation, Statistics, Children's Nursing, Creative Writing, Information Systems & Data Science, Physical Geography & Climate, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Applied Psychology, Biological Sciences (General), Human Geography & Environment, Social Sciences (General), Counselling & Psychotherapy, Liberal Arts, Mental Health Nursing, Computing & IT, Human Resource Management, Midwifery.

Only at University of Birmingham

Only at University of Southampton

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 Southampton
£26,000

University of Southampton is about £1,090 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Birmingham
£23,390
University of Southampton
£31,200

University of Birmingham is about £7,810 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 Southampton

  • General Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£34,500
    82%Satisfaction90%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£40,500
    83%Satisfaction89%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£31,500
    79%Satisfaction80%

  • History

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    89%Satisfaction91%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    86%Satisfaction85%

  • Law

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£28,500
    83%Satisfaction87%

  • Civil Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    78%Satisfaction93%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£39,500
    80%Satisfaction84%

  • Geology & Earth Sciences

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    91%Satisfaction89%

  • Physics

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    93%Satisfaction87%

  • Philosophy

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    93%Satisfaction93%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£34,500
    83%Satisfaction87%

Showing the 12 largest of 46 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 Southampton

Horizon Europe fee waiver

100%

Deadline: N/A

Cowrie Foundation Scholarship

£8,000

Deadline: N/A

Xiamen University PhD Scholarships

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sociology Criminology International Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Southampton Ageing & Gerontology Talent Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Birmingham vs University of Southampton: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £27,090 a year at University of Birmingham and £26,000 at University of Southampton: University of Southampton is about £1,090 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,390 a year at University of Birmingham and £31,200 at University of Southampton: University of Birmingham is about £7,810 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 Southampton?

Both universities teach 70 subject areas: General Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Business & Management (General), History, Politics & International Relations, Law, Civil Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Geology & Earth Sciences, Physics, Philosophy, Mechanical Engineering and 58 more.

Is University of Birmingham or University of Southampton better for General Engineering?

General Engineering graduates earn a median £33,000 three years after graduating from University of Birmingham, and £34,500 from University of Southampton. Student satisfaction with teaching is 82% at University of Birmingham and 90% at University of Southampton. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Birmingham lists 663 courses on CourseOptions and University of Southampton lists 545 courses.

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

University of Birmingham teaches 31 subject areas that University of Southampton does not, including History of Art & Design, Theology & Religious Studies, Classical Studies, French, Geography (General), Childhood & Youth Studies, Dentistry, Planning & Housing and 23 more.

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

University of Southampton teaches 21 subject areas that University of Birmingham does not, including Design & Fashion, Marine Engineering & Technology, Community & Specialist Nursing, Biomedical Engineering, Building & Construction, Operational Research, Applied Computing, Ecology & Conservation 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 Southampton545 courses · 52 scholarshipsBrowse Courses