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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 West of Scotland

Paisley · Guardian UK #115

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.

8/10

Birmingham

scored higher in 8 categories

VS

2/10

West of Scotland

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Birmingham leads in 8 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, employment, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of the West of Scotland is ahead on established, satisfaction.

University of Birmingham vs University of the West of Scotland at a glance

University of Birmingham and University of the West of Scotland both teach 39 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Law and Teacher Training. University of Birmingham offers 663 courses across 101 subject areas; University of the West of Scotland offers 119 courses across 49 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £27,090 a year at University of Birmingham and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £11,590 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,390 a year at University of Birmingham and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £7,110 a year cheaper.

Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Birmingham is higher in 16 and University of the West of Scotland in 2, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Accounting: £37,000 three years after graduating from University of Birmingham, against £21,000 from University of the West of Scotland. Of the 19 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of the West of Scotland is higher in 13 and University of Birmingham in 5, 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
#601
#18
Guardian UK
#115
1900
Established
1897
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 West of Scotland

86.7%
89%

Satisfaction

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

£38,700
£31,134.9

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83.3%
81.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
30.3%

International

International student share

663
119

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

West of Scotland

33 countries · 30.3% international

  • 🇵🇰Pakistan36.2%
  • 🌐Nepal20.4%
  • 🇮🇳India19.3%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria7.4%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh5.3%

Subjects

39 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 West of Scotland

Also taught at both: Mathematics, Biomedical Sciences, Media & Film Studies, Childhood & Youth Studies, Environmental Sciences, Nursing (General), Psychology (General), Accounting, Public Health & Epidemiology, Social Work, Applied Psychology, English Language, Computing & IT, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Social Sciences (General), Biology, Mechanical Engineering, Adult Nursing, Aerospace Engineering, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Human Geography & Environment, Mental Health Nursing, Healthcare Science, Midwifery.

Only at University of Birmingham

Only at University of the West of Scotland

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 West of Scotland
£15,500

University of the West of Scotland is about £11,590 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Birmingham
£23,390
University of the West of Scotland
£16,280

University of the West of Scotland is about £7,110 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 West of Scotland

  • Law

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    83%SatisfactionNo data

  • Business Studies

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    77%Satisfaction75%

  • Physics

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    93%Satisfaction95%

  • Chemistry

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    93%Satisfaction95%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    88%Satisfaction91%

  • Health Sciences & Paramedic Science

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    No dataSatisfaction99%

  • Music

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£18,500
    89%Satisfaction90%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    83%SatisfactionNo data

  • Education Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)No data
    83%Satisfaction96%

  • General Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    82%Satisfaction92%

  • Accounting

    £37,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    84%Satisfaction86%

  • Social Work

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    90%Satisfaction88%

Showing the 12 largest of 22 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 West of Scotland

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Birmingham vs University of the West of Scotland: common questions

Is University of Birmingham or University of the West of Scotland cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £27,090 a year at University of Birmingham and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £11,590 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,390 a year at University of Birmingham and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £7,110 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 West of Scotland?

Both universities teach 39 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Law, Teacher Training, Health & Social Care, Business & Management (General), Business Studies, Physics, Chemistry, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Marketing, Music and 27 more.

Is University of Birmingham or University of the West of Scotland better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £27,500 three years after graduating from University of Birmingham, and £21,000 from University of the West of Scotland. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does University of Birmingham or University of the West of Scotland offer more courses?

University of Birmingham lists 663 courses on CourseOptions and University of the West of Scotland lists 119 courses.

What can you study at University of Birmingham but not at University of the West of Scotland?

University of Birmingham teaches 62 subject areas that University of the West of Scotland does not, including History, Philosophy, Civil Engineering, Geology & Earth Sciences, International Development, Ancient Languages, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Finance & Actuarial Science and 54 more.

What can you study at University of the West of Scotland but not at University of Birmingham?

University of the West of Scotland teaches 10 subject areas that University of Birmingham does not, including Applied Computing, Business Information Systems, Community & Specialist Nursing, Design & Fashion, Journalism, Zoology & Animal Biology, Creative Arts (General), Cultural Studies and 2 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
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University of the West of Scotland119 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses