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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

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University of Strathclyde

Glasgow · QS World #230

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.

8/11

Birmingham

scored higher in 8 categories

VS

3/11

Strathclyde

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Birmingham leads in 8 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Strathclyde is ahead on established, satisfaction, employment.

University of Birmingham vs University of Strathclyde at a glance

University of Birmingham and University of Strathclyde both teach 54 subject areas, the largest being Teacher Training, Law and Politics & International Relations. University of Birmingham offers 663 courses across 101 subject areas; University of Strathclyde offers 541 courses across 67 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £27,090 a year at University of Birmingham and £22,750 at University of Strathclyde: University of Strathclyde is about £4,340 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,390 a year at University of Birmingham and £30,250 at University of Strathclyde: University of Birmingham is about £6,860 a year cheaper.

Of the 33 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Birmingham is higher in 22 and University of Strathclyde in 8, with 3 about level. The widest gap is in Marketing: £35,000 three years after graduating from University of Birmingham, against £26,500 from University of Strathclyde. Of the 33 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Strathclyde is higher in 25 and University of Birmingham in 7, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#68
QS World
#230
#98
THE World
#351
#18
Guardian UK
#25
1900
Established
1796
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 Strathclyde

86.7%
89.6%

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%
84%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
18.8%

International

International student share

663
541

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

3
0

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

Strathclyde

86 countries · 18.8% international

  • 🇮🇳India31%
  • 🇨🇳China10.5%
  • 🌐Kuwait4.4%
  • 🇺🇸United States4.1%
  • 🌐Oman3.8%

Subjects

54 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 Strathclyde

Also taught at both: Computer Science, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, French, Chemical Engineering, Economics, Microbiology & Cell Biology, General Engineering, Media & Film Studies, Accounting, Mechanical Engineering, Psychology (General), Geology & Earth Sciences, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Sociology & Criminology, Social Policy & Public Policy, Biomedical Sciences, Biochemistry, Statistics, Management, Pharmacy, Social Work, Human Resource Management, Planning & Housing, Spanish & Portuguese, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Public Health & Epidemiology, Clinical & Health Psychology, Clinical Specialities, Creative Writing, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Information Systems & Data Science, Software Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Biotechnology, Human Geography & Environment, Mental Health Nursing, Counselling & Psychotherapy.

Only at University of Birmingham

Only at University of Strathclyde

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 Strathclyde
£22,750

University of Strathclyde is about £4,340 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Birmingham
£23,390
University of Strathclyde
£30,250

University of Birmingham is about £6,860 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 Strathclyde

  • Law

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    83%Satisfaction94%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    86%Satisfaction91%

  • History

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£22,000
    89%Satisfaction94%

  • Physics

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    93%Satisfaction92%

  • Education Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    83%Satisfaction90%

  • Chemistry

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    93%Satisfaction94%

  • Civil Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    78%Satisfaction87%

  • English Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£22,000
    95%Satisfaction91%

  • Mathematics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    85%Satisfaction87%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    79%Satisfaction87%

  • Marketing

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    79%Satisfaction89%

  • Manufacturing & Production Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    70%Satisfaction86%

Showing the 12 largest of 34 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 Strathclyde

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Birmingham vs University of Strathclyde: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £27,090 a year at University of Birmingham and £22,750 at University of Strathclyde: University of Strathclyde is about £4,340 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,390 a year at University of Birmingham and £30,250 at University of Strathclyde: University of Birmingham is about £6,860 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 Strathclyde?

Both universities teach 54 subject areas: Teacher Training, Law, Politics & International Relations, History, Physics, Education Studies, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, English Studies, Mathematics, Business & Management (General), Marketing and 42 more.

Is University of Birmingham or University of Strathclyde better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £27,500 three years after graduating from University of Birmingham, and £26,500 from University of Strathclyde. Student satisfaction with teaching is 83% at University of Birmingham and 94% at University of Strathclyde. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Birmingham lists 663 courses on CourseOptions and University of Strathclyde lists 541 courses.

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

University of Birmingham teaches 47 subject areas that University of Strathclyde does not, including Health & Social Care, Philosophy, International Development, Music, Ancient Languages, History of Art & Design, Theology & Religious Studies, Classical Studies and 39 more.

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

University of Strathclyde teaches 13 subject areas that University of Birmingham does not, including Naval Architecture, Personal & Professional Development, Biomedical Engineering, Information & Library Studies, Architecture, Design & Fashion, Building & Construction, Marine Engineering & Technology 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 Strathclyde541 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses