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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 West London

London · Guardian UK #108

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 London

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 West London is ahead on established, satisfaction.

University of Birmingham vs University of West London at a glance

University of Birmingham and University of West London both teach 50 subject areas, the largest being Music, Law and Politics & International Relations. University of Birmingham offers 663 courses across 101 subject areas; University of West London offers 338 courses across 68 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £27,090 a year at University of Birmingham and £16,750 at University of West London: University of West London is about £10,340 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,390 a year at University of Birmingham and £17,250 at University of West London: University of West London is about £6,140 a year cheaper.

Of the 25 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Birmingham is higher in 20 and University of West London in 5. The widest gap is in Accounting: £37,000 three years after graduating from University of Birmingham, against £22,500 from University of West London. Of the 28 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of West London is higher in 20 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
#1201
#18
Guardian UK
#108
1900
Established
1860
Yes
Russell Group
No
Silver
TEF Rating
Silver

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 West London

86.7%
88.2%

Satisfaction

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

£38,700
£29,600

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83.3%
78.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
27.1%

International

International student share

663
338

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 London

64 countries · 27.1% international

  • 🇮🇳India47.8%
  • 🌐Nepal33.1%
  • 🇨🇳China2%
  • 🇺🇸United States1.8%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan1.6%

Subjects

50 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 West London

Also taught at both: Mathematics, Drama & Theatre, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Information Systems & Data Science, Biomedical Sciences, Finance & Actuarial Science, Psychology (General), Economics, Adult Nursing, Biological Sciences (General), Medicine, Accounting, Biochemistry, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Genetics & Genomics, Nursing (General), Planning & Housing, Aerospace Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Childhood & Youth Studies, Film Production & Cinematography, Management, Social Policy & Public Policy, Creative Writing, Midwifery, Social Work, Software Engineering, Clinical & Health Psychology, Human Resource Management, Social Sciences (General), Applied Psychology, Mental Health Nursing, Children's Nursing, Computing & IT, Developmental & Educational Psychology.

Only at University of Birmingham

Only at University of West 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 West London
£16,750

University of West London is about £10,340 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Birmingham
£23,390
University of West London
£17,250

University of West London is about £6,140 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 West London

  • Music

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    89%Satisfaction89%

  • Law

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    83%Satisfaction85%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    86%Satisfaction88%

  • Civil Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    78%Satisfaction83%

  • Business Studies

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    77%Satisfaction88%

  • Hospitality, Events & Tourism

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£21,500
    80%Satisfaction94%

  • Physics

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    93%Satisfaction90%

  • Marketing

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£21,500
    79%Satisfaction92%

  • Media & Film Studies

    No dataSalary (3 years)£20,000
    95%Satisfaction94%

  • Computer Science

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    93%Satisfaction85%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    83%Satisfaction88%

  • Education Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)No data
    83%Satisfaction98%

Showing the 12 largest of 29 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 West London

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Birmingham vs University of West London: common questions

Is University of Birmingham or University of West London cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £27,090 a year at University of Birmingham and £16,750 at University of West London: University of West London is about £10,340 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,390 a year at University of Birmingham and £17,250 at University of West London: University of West London is about £6,140 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 West London?

Both universities teach 50 subject areas: Music, Law, Politics & International Relations, Civil Engineering, Business Studies, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Physics, Health & Social Care, Marketing, Media & Film Studies, Business & Management (General), Computer Science and 38 more.

Is University of Birmingham or University of West London better for Music?

Music graduates earn a median £23,000 three years after graduating from University of Birmingham, and £21,000 from University of West London. Student satisfaction with teaching is 89% at University of Birmingham and 89% at University of West London. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does University of Birmingham or University of West London offer more courses?

University of Birmingham lists 663 courses on CourseOptions and University of West London lists 338 courses.

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

University of Birmingham teaches 51 subject areas that University of West London does not, including History, Philosophy, Teacher Training, Geology & Earth Sciences, International Development, Ancient Languages, Chemistry, Microbiology & Cell Biology and 43 more.

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

University of West London teaches 18 subject areas that University of Birmingham does not, including Design & Fashion, Building & Construction, Games Design & Computer Animation, Learning Disabilities Nursing, Applied Biology & Human Biology, Nutrition & Dietetics, Pharmacology, Information & Library Studies and 10 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 West London338 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses