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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

Y
York St John University

York · Guardian UK #105

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.

6/10

Birmingham

scored higher in 6 categories

VS

4/10

York St John

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Birmingham leads in 6 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). York St John University is ahead on established, satisfaction, employment, international.

University of Birmingham vs York St John University at a glance

University of Birmingham and York St John University both teach 40 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Law and History. University of Birmingham offers 663 courses across 101 subject areas; York St John University offers 199 courses across 49 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £27,090 a year at University of Birmingham and £14,000 at York St John University: York St John University is about £13,090 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,390 a year at University of Birmingham and £11,800 at York St John University: York St John University is about £11,590 a year cheaper.

Of the 25 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Birmingham is higher in 25 and York St John University in 0. The widest gap is in Economics: £34,500 three years after graduating from University of Birmingham, against £20,000 from York St John University. Of the 27 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, York St John University is higher in 14 and University of Birmingham in 10, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#68
QS World
—
#98
THE World
#1001
#18
Guardian UK
#105
1900
Established
1841
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

York St John University

86.7%
86.8%

Satisfaction

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

£38,700
£27,000

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83.3%
84.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
37.1%

International

International student share

663
199

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

3
1

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 St John

35 countries · 37.1% international

  • 🌐Nepal33.8%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria25.4%
  • 🇮🇳India20.5%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan4.1%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka4%

Subjects

40 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

York St John University

Also taught at both: Business Studies, Computer Science, Creative Writing, Economics, Biomedical Sciences, Childhood & Youth Studies, Geography (General), Management, English Language, Accounting, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Drama & Theatre, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Public Health & Epidemiology, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Applied Psychology, Film Production & Cinematography, Physical Geography & Climate, Adult Nursing, Human Geography & Environment, Information Systems & Data Science, Mental Health Nursing, Software Engineering, Human Resource Management, Midwifery.

Only at University of Birmingham

Only at York St John University

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
York St John University
£14,000

York St John University is about £13,090 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Birmingham
£23,390
York St John University
£11,800

York St John University is about £11,590 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

York St John University

  • Politics & International Relations

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    86%Satisfaction89%

  • Law

    £27,500Salary (3 years)No data
    83%Satisfaction93%

  • History

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
    89%Satisfaction98%

  • Marketing

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    79%Satisfaction90%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    79%Satisfaction71%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    88%Satisfaction88%

  • Media & Film Studies

    No dataSalary (3 years)£18,000
    95%Satisfaction91%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    83%Satisfaction89%

  • Health Sciences & Paramedic Science

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    No dataSatisfaction90%

  • Music

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£18,500
    89%Satisfaction94%

  • Education Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
    83%Satisfaction77%

  • Psychology (General)

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£20,500
    90%Satisfaction90%

Showing the 12 largest of 28 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 →

York St John University

Sanctuary Scholarships

£4,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Birmingham vs York St John University: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £27,090 a year at University of Birmingham and £14,000 at York St John University: York St John University is about £13,090 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,390 a year at University of Birmingham and £11,800 at York St John University: York St John University is about £11,590 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 York St John University?

Both universities teach 40 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Law, History, Teacher Training, Marketing, Business & Management (General), Sport & Exercise Sciences, Media & Film Studies, Sociology & Criminology, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Music, Education Studies and 28 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £28,000 three years after graduating from University of Birmingham, and £20,000 from York St John University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at University of Birmingham and 89% at York St John University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Birmingham lists 663 courses on CourseOptions and York St John University lists 199 courses.

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

University of Birmingham teaches 61 subject areas that York St John University does not, including Health & Social Care, Philosophy, Civil Engineering, Geology & Earth Sciences, International Development, Physics, Ancient Languages, Chemistry and 53 more.

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

York St John University teaches 9 subject areas that University of Birmingham does not, including Design & Fashion, Asian Languages & Studies, Fine Art, Journalism, Publishing, British Sign Language & Scots, Games Design & Computer Animation, Medical Imaging and 1 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
Y
York St John University199 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses