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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 York

York · QS World #158

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

York

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Birmingham leads in 8 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, established, employment, international, graduate salary, courses). University of York is ahead on TEF, satisfaction.

University of Birmingham vs University of York at a glance

University of Birmingham and University of York both teach 69 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Law and Business & Management (General). University of Birmingham offers 663 courses across 101 subject areas; University of York offers 532 courses across 82 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £27,090 a year at University of Birmingham and £27,500 at University of York: University of Birmingham is about £410 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,390 a year at University of Birmingham and £27,250 at University of York: University of Birmingham is about £3,860 a year cheaper.

Of the 40 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Birmingham is higher in 25 and University of York in 8, with 7 about level. The widest gap is in Archaeology: £25,000 three years after graduating from University of Birmingham, against £19,500 from University of York. Of the 40 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of York is higher in 23 and University of Birmingham in 14, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#68
QS World
#158
#98
THE World
#154
#18
Guardian UK
#20
1900
Established
1963
Yes
Russell Group
Yes
Silver
TEF Rating
Gold

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 York

86.7%
87.1%

Satisfaction

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

£38,700
£34,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83.3%
80.2%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
18.6%

International

International student share

663
532

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

3
3

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

York

97 countries · 18.6% international

  • 🇨🇳China44.1%
  • 🇮🇳India7.2%
  • 🇺🇸United States5.7%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.3%
  • 🌐Korea (South)2.2%

Subjects

69 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 York

Also taught at both: Social Policy & Public Policy, English Studies, Biomedical Sciences, Teacher Training, Civil Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, International Development, Marketing, Ancient Languages, Economics, Finance & Actuarial Science, Linguistics, Media & Film Studies, Environmental Sciences, French, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Management, Biology, Childhood & Youth Studies, Business Studies, General Engineering, German & Scandinavian Studies, Psychology (General), Human Geography & Environment, Nursing (General), Physical Geography & Climate, Chemical Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biochemistry, Drama & Theatre, Film Production & Cinematography, Heritage & Conservation, Accounting, English Language, Italian, Liberal Arts, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Social Work, Mental Health Nursing, Adult Nursing, Clinical & Health Psychology, Creative Writing, Mechanical Engineering, Spanish & Portuguese, Applied Psychology, Information Systems & Data Science, Social Sciences (General), Biotechnology, Children's Nursing, Developmental & Educational Psychology, English Literature, Genetics & Genomics, Healthcare Science, Midwifery.

Only at University of Birmingham

Only at University of York

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 York
£27,500

University of Birmingham is about £410 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Birmingham
£23,390
University of York
£27,250

University of Birmingham is about £3,860 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 York

  • Politics & International Relations

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    86%Satisfaction91%

  • Law

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    83%Satisfaction89%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    79%Satisfaction80%

  • Philosophy

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    93%Satisfaction89%

  • Computer Science

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£40,000
    93%Satisfaction73%

  • History

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    89%Satisfaction93%

  • Mathematics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    85%Satisfaction86%

  • Chemistry

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    93%Satisfaction92%

  • Physics

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    93%Satisfaction89%

  • Music

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    89%Satisfaction87%

  • Sociology & Criminology

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

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    83%Satisfaction88%

Showing the 12 largest of 41 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 York

Care Leavers and Estranged Students Bursary

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

York Bursary

£1,000

Deadline: N/A

York Futures Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Birmingham vs University of York: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £27,090 a year at University of Birmingham and £27,500 at University of York: University of Birmingham is about £410 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,390 a year at University of Birmingham and £27,250 at University of York: University of Birmingham is about £3,860 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 York?

Both universities teach 69 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Law, Business & Management (General), Philosophy, Computer Science, History, Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, Music, Sociology & Criminology, Electronic & Electrical Engineering and 57 more.

Is University of Birmingham or University of York better for Politics & International Relations?

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £28,000 three years after graduating from University of Birmingham, and £27,500 from University of York. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at University of Birmingham and 91% at University of York. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Birmingham lists 663 courses on CourseOptions and University of York lists 532 courses.

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

University of Birmingham teaches 32 subject areas that University of York does not, including Health & Social Care, Geology & Earth Sciences, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Theology & Religious Studies, Classical Studies, Geography (General), Medicine, Dentistry and 24 more.

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

University of York teaches 13 subject areas that University of Birmingham does not, including Forensic Science, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Humanities, Building & Construction, Ecology & Conservation, Safety & Mining Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology 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 York532 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses