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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 St Andrews

St Andrews · QS World #115

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.

4/11

Birmingham

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

7/11

St Andrews

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

University of St Andrews leads in 7 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Birmingham is ahead on ranking, Russell Group, employment.

University of Birmingham vs University of St Andrews at a glance

University of Birmingham and University of St Andrews both teach 51 subject areas, the largest being African & Middle Eastern Studies, French and History. University of Birmingham offers 663 courses across 101 subject areas; University of St Andrews offers 1,157 courses across 64 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £27,090 a year at University of Birmingham and £30,160 at University of St Andrews: University of Birmingham is about £3,070 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,390 a year at University of Birmingham and £27,200 at University of St Andrews: University of Birmingham is about £3,810 a year cheaper.

Of the 30 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of St Andrews is higher in 24 and University of Birmingham in 6. The widest gap is in Medicine: £47,000 three years after graduating from University of Birmingham, against £35,000 from University of St Andrews. Of the 28 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of St Andrews is higher in 22 and University of Birmingham in 3, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#68
QS World
#115
#98
THE World
#162
#18
Guardian UK
#3
1900
Established
1413
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 St Andrews

86.7%
93.2%

Satisfaction

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

£38,700
£40,000

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83.3%
74.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
46.1%

International

International student share

663
1157

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

3
62

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

St Andrews

89 countries · 46.1% international

  • 🇺🇸United States42.3%
  • 🇨🇳China9%
  • 🇩🇪Germany4%
  • 🇮🇳India4%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong3.2%

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 St Andrews

Also taught at both: Philosophy, Teacher Training, Eastern European Languages, Chemistry, Biology, Computer Science, Law, Geology & Earth Sciences, Psychology (General), Spanish & Portuguese, Business & Management (General), Management, Physics, Education Studies, Medicine, Anthropology, Finance & Actuarial Science, Marketing, Sociology & Criminology, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Business Studies, Childhood & Youth Studies, Environmental Sciences, Physical Geography & Climate, Statistics, Biochemistry, Creative Writing, Materials Science, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Heritage & Conservation, Human Geography & Environment, English Literature, Liberal Arts, Computing & IT, Software Engineering.

Only at University of Birmingham

Only at University of St Andrews

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 St Andrews
£30,160

University of Birmingham is about £3,070 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Birmingham
£23,390
University of St Andrews
£27,200

University of Birmingham is about £3,810 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 St Andrews

  • French

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
    85%Satisfaction95%

  • History

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    89%Satisfaction97%

  • German & Scandinavian Studies

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    93%Satisfaction90%

  • Ancient Languages

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    91%Satisfaction100%

  • Italian

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    90%Satisfaction98%

  • Classical Studies

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    92%Satisfaction97%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    86%Satisfaction95%

  • Economics

    £34,500Salary (3 years)£39,000
    85%Satisfaction93%

  • History of Art & Design

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    90%Satisfaction94%

  • Mathematics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£36,500
    85%Satisfaction94%

  • Theology & Religious Studies

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    94%Satisfaction97%

  • English Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    95%Satisfaction92%

Showing the 12 largest of 31 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 St Andrews

Applied Environmental Sciences MSc Awards - Women in Mining (WIM) UK

100%

Deadline: Jun 2026

Environmental Science MSc Awards - The Cunningham Scholarship UK

100%

Deadline: Jun 2026

Masters funding in Digital Health and Care

£10,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

School of Modern Languages Masters Scholarship

100%

Deadline: May 2026

University of Jordan Postgraduate Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Birmingham vs University of St Andrews: common questions

Is University of Birmingham or University of St Andrews cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £27,090 a year at University of Birmingham and £30,160 at University of St Andrews: University of Birmingham is about £3,070 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,390 a year at University of Birmingham and £27,200 at University of St Andrews: University of Birmingham is about £3,810 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 St Andrews?

Both universities teach 51 subject areas: African & Middle Eastern Studies, French, History, German & Scandinavian Studies, Ancient Languages, Italian, Classical Studies, Politics & International Relations, Economics, History of Art & Design, Mathematics, Theology & Religious Studies and 39 more.

Is University of Birmingham or University of St Andrews better for French?

French graduates earn a median £26,500 three years after graduating from University of Birmingham, and £29,500 from University of St Andrews. Student satisfaction with teaching is 85% at University of Birmingham and 95% at University of St Andrews. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does University of Birmingham or University of St Andrews offer more courses?

University of St Andrews lists 1,157 courses on CourseOptions and University of Birmingham lists 663 courses.

What can you study at University of Birmingham but not at University of St Andrews?

University of Birmingham teaches 50 subject areas that University of St Andrews does not, including Health & Social Care, Civil Engineering, International Development, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Music, Chemical Engineering, Nursing (General) and 42 more.

What can you study at University of St Andrews but not at University of Birmingham?

University of St Andrews teaches 13 subject areas that University of Birmingham does not, including Asian Languages & Studies, Combined & General Studies, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Ecology & Conservation, Information & Library Studies, Agriculture & Land Management, Zoology & Animal Biology, Animal Science and 5 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 St Andrews1,157 courses · 62 scholarshipsBrowse Courses