The University of Birmingham is a highly reputed public research university situated in Birmingham, England in the West Midlands metropolitan region. The university is large with 23,155 undergraduate students. The admissions are competitive, and the University of Birmingham acceptance rate is around 13.8%. The majors offered are Social Sciences, Engineering, Business, Medicine, and Computer Science. Graduation rate at the six-year point is 86%, and University of Birmingham alumni have a median starting salary of around INR 42,51,000 (at ten years post-graduation, converted from £40,000 median salary).
The University of Leeds is a public research university in Leeds, England in the West Yorkshire metropolitan county. It is an enormous university with an undergraduate student population of 26,840. Admissions are competitive since the University of Leeds has an acceptance rate of about 64%. Popular courses include Business, Social Sciences, Engineering, Biological Sciences, and Arts & Humanities. The six-year graduation rate is 87%, and graduates from the University of Leeds still receive a median starting salary of about INR 41,01,000 (equivalent to £38,600 median earnings after ten years after graduation).
| University of Birmingham | University of Leeds | |
|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 6.1 Out of 10 | 5.9 Out of 10 |
| ranking (overall) | # 28 The Guardian 2026 # 54 Collegedunia Study Abroad 2026 # 76 QS World University 2026 | # 28 The Guardian 2026 # 63 Collegedunia Study Abroad 2026 # 86 QS World University 2026 |
| Subject Strength | # 63 for Engineering by Collegedunia Study Abroad 2026 # 53 for Medicine by Collegedunia Study Abroad 2026 # 41 for Law by The Guardian 2026 | # 74 for Engineering by Collegedunia Study Abroad 2026 # 71 for Medicine by Collegedunia Study Abroad 2026 # 34 for Law by The Guardian 2026 |
| Programs | UG Programs -52 PG Programs -144 Doctorate Programs -54 | UG Programs -129 PG Programs -164 |
| Acceptance Rate | 13.0 % | 56.7 % |
| Exam Score | GMAT-500 GRE-292 IELTS-6 PTE-59 TOEFL-88 | GMAT-600 GRE-299 IELTS-6 PTE-60 SAT-1200 TOEFL-88 |
| Cost to Study | Average Tuition Fees 21780 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 26640 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 17136 Per Year | Average Tuition Fees 32250 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 50318 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 4236 Per Year |
| placement (average package) | Graduate employability ranking #86; Annual average salary 57,100 USD; Top recruiters: IBM, Capgemini, Peter Brett Associates, WSP Global Inc., Barclays Bank, etc.; Highest paid degrees: Executive MBA (127,000 USD), MBA (104,000 USD), Bachelor (101,000 USD), LLM (85,000 USD), Masters in Finance (76,000 USD). | Graduate Employability Ranking 2023: 52; University of Leeds is one of the top public universities in Leeds, United Kingdom. It is ranked #86 in QS World University Rankings 2023. Average Salaries Of :
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| application requirements | Academic transcripts; 2 reference letters; personal statement; essay; research proposal (for research programs); Proof of English language proficiency | Minimum 60% in bachelors for admission in PG; Letter of Intent, Statement of Purpose, CV, at least 2 references |
| CollegeDunia Reviews | 8.0/10 Read 28 reviews | 7.5/10 Read 57 reviews |
Top Courses Comparison
| ranking | # 5 for Computer Science by The Guardian 2026 # 108 for Computer Science by Collegedunia.com 2026 # 127 for Computer Science by QS World University 2026 | # 49 for Computer Science by The Guardian 2026 # 127 for Computer Science by Collegedunia.com 2026 # 188 for Computer Science by QS World University 2026 |
| exam scores | IELTS - 6.0/9PTE - 64/90TOEFL - 80/120 | IELTS - 6.0/9PTE - 60/90TOEFL - 87/120 |
| cost to study | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -46560 | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -32250 |
| application dates | Jan 14, 2026 (UCAS Equal Consideration 2026 Application Deadline) Jun 30, 2026 (Final Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake) | Jan 14, 2026 (UCAS Equal Consideration Application Deadline For 2026 Intake) Feb 4, 2026 (Application Deadline for 2026 Intake) Mar 31, 2026 (Application Deadline for International Excellence Scholarships) May 13, 2026 (Decision Deadline for 2026 Intake) Sep 28, 2026 (Course Start Date for 2026 Intake) |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | University of Birmingham | University of Leeds |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1900 | 1904 |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 12:1:1 | 13:1 |
| Male:Female | 42% Male, 58% Female | 40% Male, 60% Female |
| Location Facts | 2 campuses- Edgbaston and Selly Oak located in Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK; centered around Chancellor’s Court and Old Joe. | Campus is 10 minutes away from Leed’s city center; well-connected with regular public transport services; it has Parkinson Building, Maurice Keyworth Building, Great Hall and Post-war buildings |
| Library | 7 libraries and resource center; 2.7 million books and scholarly periodicals, over 16,000 electronic resources; 1.8 million print; 500,000 online books; over 85,000 print & online journals. | 5 libraries with 3900 study spaces; Brotherton library: for arts, social sciences, and law; Edward Boyle library: for science and engineering; Health Sciences Library: for medicine and health-related subjects; Laidlaw Library: for group work, bookable space and on-site academic skills support, St James University Hospital Library: supports university’s research & teaching staff, medical & healthcare students and employees of the Hospital trust; |
| Campus Life | 250 clubs & societies; Houses the Barber Institute of Fine Arts, Shakespeare Institute, Mingana Collection of Middle Eastern manuscripts, Lapworth Museum of Geology, Joseph Chamberlain Memorial Clock Tower; UoB Sport & Fitness club (consisting of 50m swimming pool, multi-sports arena, 6 glass-backed squash courts, 200-station gym, 10m climbing wall, Performance Centre, 5 activity studios, etc.); 9 Costas, 2 Starbucks; other university cafes; etc. | University’s union has over 300 clubs and societies; Free counseling, mental health support groups, workshops, etc; discounted access to university’s sports center: The Edge; Sports Park Weetwood for outdoor sports; various sports clubs and programs; University has shops, cafes, bars, nightclubs, theatre, spa, hairdressers, bank and a student advice center on-campus |
| Hostel | #Accommodation (Catered) - $8442 #Accommodation (Self Catered) - $8694 | #Self Catered En-Suite Room - $1404 #Catered En-suite Room - $2460 |
| Famous Alumni | 11 Nobel laureates; Neville Chamberlain & Stanley Baldwin (Former British PM); Sir Edward Elgar (British composer); Baroness Amos (UN Under-Secretary-General); Lord Roll of Ipsden (Director of the Bank of England); Isaac Hempstead Wright (Actor); Rodolfo Neri Vela (Mexican scientist & astronaut); Tim Curry (Actor) | George Porter (Nobel Prize in Chemistry); Wole Soyinka (Nobel Prize in Literature); Archer John Porter Martin (Nobel Prize in Chemistry); Emma Mackey (actress); Tony Harrison (poet); Alan Yentob (former BBC executive); Piers Sellers (NASA astronaut) |
| City Life | A city in West Midlands, England; 2nd largest city in England; Economy dominated by the service sector; 2nd largest metropolitan economy in UK with a GDP of 121.1 billion USD; Top tourist attractions include Victoria Square, Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Thinktank- Birmingham Science Museum, National SEA LIFE Centre, St. Philip's Cathedral, Cadbury World | Leeds is the largest city of West Yorkshire in Northern England; located approximately 170 miles north of Central London; 30 minutes away from Leeds Bradford international airport; 1 hour away from Manchester airport; Unemployment rate in 2019 was 4.1%; it is the 8th largest engineering center and 2nd largest printing manufacturing center in UK |
| Weather |
University of Birmingham vs University of Leeds
Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)
Birmingham and Leeds are both top Russell Group universities, ranked extremely high in the UK and worldwide. Birmingham ranks #76 in QS and 93rd in Times Higher Education , and Leeds ranks #86 in QS and 123rd in Times Higher Education. By subject, Birmingham is particularly research-active in Business, Law, Clinical Medicine, Engineering, and Social Sciences. Leeds is strongest in Arts & Humanities, Engineering, Environmental Sciences, and Business, with international distinction in earth sciences and media studies.
General Information
The 1900-founded University of Birmingham was the UK's first civic "red brick" institution and has some 38,000 students. The Edgbaston campus has a mix of historic buildings and state-of-the-art facilities, and industry links are strong in the city. University of Leeds was founded in 1904 and is among the largest universities in the UK, enrolling approximately 39,000 students. It shares a single, unified campus near Leeds city center and is noted for the vibrancy of its student population and the range of academics it provides.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
High academic achievements are anticipated: solid A-levels, IB, or equivalent overseas qualifications, along with evidence of English competency (IELTS/TOEFL) for international students. Leeds is especially competitive in arts, media, and environmental sciences, whereas Birmingham is very competitive in law, business, and health sciences.
Research Impact & Facilities
Birmingham leads the world in health, clinical medicine, energy research, and engineering. Infrastructure comprises the Birmingham Energy Institute and close NHS partnerships.
Leeds is acclaimed for research in climate, materials science, engineering, and digital innovation, with world-class facilities such as the Leeds Institute for Data Analytics (LIDA) and major investment in STEM labs and libraries.
Cost & Financial Aid
International fees are between £20,000–30,000 annually, depending on the field of study, with more expensive charges for medicine and lab courses. Living expenses in Birmingham and Leeds are fairly comparable, both of which are less than in London. Both institutions offer scholarships, merit-based scholarships, and international student financial assistance.
Career Outcomes & Alumni Success
Birmingham graduates are in high demand, particularly in business, law, public sector, and healthcare, with close connections to Midlands and London industries.
Leeds has very high employability rates, especially in engineering, media, environment, and financial services, enjoying close relationships with Northern England and wider industries. Both universities have extensive global alumni networks.
