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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 the Arts London

London · QS World #851

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 12 datapoints

We looked at 12 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

11/12

Birmingham

scored higher in 11 categories

VS

1/12

Arts London

scored higher in 1 category

Quick Verdict

University of Birmingham leads in 11 of 12 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, TEF, established, satisfaction, employment, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of the Arts London is ahead on international.

University of Birmingham vs University of the Arts London at a glance

University of Birmingham and University of the Arts London both teach 16 subject areas, the largest being Marketing, Music and Film Production & Cinematography. University of Birmingham offers 663 courses across 101 subject areas; University of the Arts London offers 183 courses across 29 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £27,090 a year at University of Birmingham and £30,890 at University of the Arts London: University of Birmingham is about £3,800 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,390 a year at University of Birmingham and £30,890 at University of the Arts London: University of Birmingham is about £7,500 a year cheaper.

Of the 6 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Birmingham is higher in 6 and University of the Arts London in 0. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £40,000 three years after graduating from University of Birmingham, against £26,500 from University of the Arts London. Of the 5 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Birmingham is higher in 4 and University of the Arts London in 0, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#68
QS World
#851
#98
THE World
#1501
#18
Guardian UK
#52
1900
Established
1986
Yes
Russell Group
No
Silver
TEF Rating
Bronze

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 the Arts London

86.7%
83%

Satisfaction

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

£38,700
£28,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83.3%
80.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
54%

International

International student share

663
183

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

Arts London

84 countries · 54% international

  • 🇨🇳China55.7%
  • 🇮🇳India6%
  • 🇺🇸United States4.4%
  • 🌐Korea (South)3.9%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong3.3%

Subjects

16 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 the Arts London

Also taught at both: Computing & IT.

Only at University of Birmingham

Only at University of the Arts London

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 the Arts London
£30,890

University of Birmingham is about £3,800 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Birmingham
£23,390
University of the Arts London
£30,890

University of Birmingham is about £7,500 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 the Arts London

  • Marketing

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    79%Satisfaction79%

  • Music

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    89%Satisfaction70%

  • Drama & Theatre

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£20,500
    91%Satisfaction76%

  • Computer Science

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    93%Satisfaction80%

  • Media & Film Studies

    No dataSalary (3 years)£21,000
    95%Satisfaction80%

  • Management

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    84%SatisfactionNo data

  • Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    94%SatisfactionNo data

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 the Arts London

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Birmingham vs University of the Arts London: common questions

Is University of Birmingham or University of the Arts London cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £27,090 a year at University of Birmingham and £30,890 at University of the Arts London: University of Birmingham is about £3,800 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,390 a year at University of Birmingham and £30,890 at University of the Arts London: University of Birmingham is about £7,500 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 the Arts London?

Both universities teach 16 subject areas: Marketing, Music, Film Production & Cinematography, Business & Management (General), Drama & Theatre, Computer Science, Media & Film Studies, Management, Business Studies, Economics, Psychology (General), Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning and 4 more.

Is University of Birmingham or University of the Arts London better for Marketing?

Marketing graduates earn a median £35,000 three years after graduating from University of Birmingham, and £23,500 from University of the Arts London. Student satisfaction with teaching is 79% at University of Birmingham and 79% at University of the Arts London. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does University of Birmingham or University of the Arts London offer more courses?

University of Birmingham lists 663 courses on CourseOptions and University of the Arts London lists 183 courses.

What can you study at University of Birmingham but not at University of the Arts London?

University of Birmingham teaches 85 subject areas that University of the Arts London does not, including Politics & International Relations, Law, History, Health & Social Care, Philosophy, Teacher Training, Civil Engineering, Geology & Earth Sciences and 77 more.

What can you study at University of the Arts London but not at University of Birmingham?

University of the Arts London teaches 13 subject areas that University of Birmingham does not, including Design & Fashion, Fine Art, Cultural Studies, Applied Computing, Games Design & Computer Animation, Journalism, Architecture, Performing Arts (General) 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 the Arts London183 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses