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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 the Highlands and Islands (UHI)

Oban

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 8 datapoints

We looked at 8 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

5/8

Birmingham

scored higher in 5 categories

VS

3/8

Highlands and Islands (UHI)

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Birmingham leads in 5 of 8 categories where both have data (Russell Group, established, international, graduate salary, courses). University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) is ahead on satisfaction, employment, scholarship.

University of Birmingham vs University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) at a glance

University of Birmingham and University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) both teach 51 subject areas, the largest being History, Politics & International Relations and Teacher Training. University of Birmingham offers 663 courses across 101 subject areas; University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) offers 244 courses across 70 subject areas.

Of the 29 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Birmingham is higher in 27 and University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) in 0, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £40,000 three years after graduating from University of Birmingham, against £18,500 from University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI). Of the 30 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) is higher in 22 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
—
#98
THE World
—
#18
Guardian UK
—
1900
Established
2011
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 the Highlands and Islands (UHI)

86.7%
90.2%

Satisfaction

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

£38,700
£25,600

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83.3%
85%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
2.1%

International

International student share

663
244

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

3
11

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

Highlands and Islands (UHI)

17 countries · 2.1% international

  • 🇺🇸United States11.1%
  • 🌐Brunei8.3%
  • 🇮🇪Ireland8.3%
  • 🇨🇦Canada5.6%
  • 🇩🇪Germany5.6%

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 the Highlands and Islands (UHI)

Also taught at both: Chemistry, Computer Science, Education Studies, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Mathematics, Business Studies, Environmental Sciences, General Engineering, Media & Film Studies, Theology & Religious Studies, Drama & Theatre, English Literature, Chemical Engineering, Childhood & Youth Studies, Geography (General), Nursing (General), Psychology (General), Accounting, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Human Geography & Environment, German & Scandinavian Studies, Management, Physical Geography & Climate, Aerospace Engineering, Creative Writing, English Studies, Heritage & Conservation, Mechanical Engineering, Social Sciences (General), Adult Nursing, Biological Sciences (General), Counselling & Psychotherapy, Information Systems & Data Science, Film Production & Cinematography, Mental Health Nursing, Software Engineering.

Only at University of Birmingham

Only at University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI)

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 Highlands and Islands (UHI)
No data

We do not have reliable international fee data for University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) yet.

Postgraduate

University of Birmingham
£23,390
University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI)
No data

We do not have reliable international fee data for University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) yet.

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 Highlands and Islands (UHI)

  • History

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£17,000
    89%Satisfaction98%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
    86%Satisfaction90%

  • Philosophy

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£17,000
    93%Satisfaction94%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£15,500
    88%Satisfaction79%

  • Music

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£13,500
    89%Satisfaction88%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£18,000
    79%Satisfaction85%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£18,500
    83%Satisfaction95%

  • Archaeology

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£17,000
    83%Satisfaction93%

  • Geology & Earth Sciences

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£17,000
    91%Satisfaction95%

  • Civil Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    78%Satisfaction90%

  • Ancient Languages

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    91%Satisfaction90%

  • Computer Science

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£18,500
    93%Satisfaction89%

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 the Highlands and Islands (UHI)

Barns-Graham Travel Scholarship

£1,500

Deadline: Oct 2026

Scottish Land Commission Prize

£1,000

Deadline: N/A

Barns-Graham Assistance Award

£1,000

Deadline: Oct 2026

Dorothy Dunnett Centenary Awards

£1,000

Deadline: Dec 2026

Rural and Islands Bursary Fund

£1,000

Deadline: Oct 2026

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Birmingham vs University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI): common questions

What subjects can you study at both University of Birmingham and University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI)?

Both universities teach 51 subject areas: History, Politics & International Relations, Teacher Training, Philosophy, Health & Social Care, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Music, Business & Management (General), Sociology & Criminology, Archaeology, Geology & Earth Sciences, Civil Engineering and 39 more.

Is University of Birmingham or University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) better for History?

History graduates earn a median £26,000 three years after graduating from University of Birmingham, and £17,000 from University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI). Student satisfaction with teaching is 89% at University of Birmingham and 98% at University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI). Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does University of Birmingham or University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) offer more courses?

University of Birmingham lists 663 courses on CourseOptions and University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) lists 244 courses.

What can you study at University of Birmingham but not at University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI)?

University of Birmingham teaches 50 subject areas that University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) does not, including Law, International Development, Marketing, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Finance & Actuarial Science, History of Art & Design, Classical Studies and 42 more.

What can you study at University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) but not at University of Birmingham?

University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) teaches 19 subject areas that University of Birmingham does not, including Cultural Studies, Agriculture & Land Management, Fine Art, Complementary & Alternative Medicine, Scottish Gaelic, Design & Fashion, Animal Science, Architecture and 11 more.

Ready to explore courses?

Browse available courses, check entry requirements, and find scholarships at each university.

U
University of Birmingham663 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI)244 courses · 11 scholarshipsBrowse Courses