The University of Glasgow is a highly ranked public research university based in Glasgow, Scotland in the Glasgow metropolitan area. It has 29,321 undergraduate students and offers competitive admissions with about 15% acceptance rate at the University of Glasgow. Majors offered are Social Sciences, Medicine, Engineering, Business, and Life Sciences. The graduation rate after six years is 88%, and the University of Glasgow alumni have a median starting salary of about INR 39,93,000 (ten years after graduation, converted from £37,600 median earnings).
The University of Birmingham is a large public research university located in Birmingham, England in the metropolitan area of West Midlands. It is a large institution with an undergraduate student enrollment of 23,155 students. The admissions are selective because the University of Birmingham acceptance rate is approximately 13.8%. Popular majors include Social Sciences, Engineering, Business, Medicine, and Computer Science. The graduation rate after six years is 86%, and University of Birmingham alumni still maintain a median starting salary of about INR 42,51,000 (from £40,000 median earnings ten years after graduation).
| University of Glasgow | University of Birmingham | |
|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 6.2 Out of 10 | 6.1 Out of 10 |
| ranking (overall) | # 24 The Guardian 2026 # 79 QS World University 2026 # 84 Times Higher Education 2026 | # 28 The Guardian 2026 # 76 QS World University 2026 # 98 Times Higher Education 2026 |
| Subject Strength | # 152 for Engineering by QS World University 2025 # 51 for Data Science and Analytics by QS World University 2025 # 44 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 | # 96 for Engineering by Times Higher Education 2025 # 67 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 # 41 for Law by The Guardian 2026 |
| Programs | UG Programs -30 PG Programs -78 Doctorate Programs -6 | UG Programs -52 PG Programs -144 Doctorate Programs -54 |
| Acceptance Rate | 28.0 % | 13.0 % |
| Exam Score | GMAT-600 GRE-304 IELTS-6.5 PTE-59 TOEFL-110 | GMAT-500 GRE-292 IELTS-6 PTE-59 TOEFL-88 |
| Cost to Study | Average Tuition Fees 31510 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 33619 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 9623 Per Year | Average Tuition Fees 21780 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 26640 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 17136 Per Year |
| placement (average package) | Graduate Employability Ranking: #131-140, | 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). |
| application requirements | International applicants must fulfill country-specific requirements, | Academic transcripts; 2 reference letters; personal statement; essay; research proposal (for research programs); Proof of English language proficiency |
| CollegeDunia Reviews | 7.8/10 Read 42 reviews | 8.0/10 Read 27 reviews |
Top Courses Comparison
| ranking | # 20 for Computer Science by The Guardian 2026 # 142 for Computer Science by QS World University 2025 # 151 for Computer Science by Times Higher Education 2025 | # 5 for Computer Science by The Guardian 2026 # 174 for Computer Science by QS World University 2025 # 176 for Computer Science by Times Higher Education 2025 |
| exam scores | IELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 59/90TOEFL - 90/120 | IELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 67/90TOEFL - 88/120 |
| documents required | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose |
| application dates | Nov 5, 2025 (Round 1 Application Deadline for 2026 Intake) Dec 17, 2025 (Round 2 Application Deadline for 2026 Intake) Feb 4, 2026 (Round 3 Application Deadline for 2026 Intake) Mar 25, 2026 (Round 4 Application Deadline for 2026 Intake) May 13, 2026 (Round 5 Application Deadline for 2026 Intake) Jul 8, 2026 (Round 6 Application Deadline for 2026 Intake) | Jul 3, 2026 (Application Deadline For September 2026 Intake) Aug 14, 2026 (Deposit deadline For September 2026 Intake) Sep 4, 2026 (Latest date to issue CAS For September 2026 Intake) |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | University of Glasgow | University of Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1451 | 1900 |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 5:1:1 | 12:1:1 |
| Male:Female | 0% Male, 0% Female | 42% Male, 58% Female |
| Location Facts | It has three campuses Gilmore hills, Garscube, and Dumfries. The main campus is Gillmore hills located within Glasgow’s West End, three miles from the city center. Garscube campus is 4 miles from main campus and Dumfries campus is surrounded by gardens and parkland in Southwest of Scottland. | 2 campuses- Edgbaston and Selly Oak located in Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK; centered around Chancellor’s Court and Old Joe. |
| Library | 2.5 million books and journals. 1,8532,00 ebooks and 50,00 journals. There is an additional archival collection as well. | 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. |
| Campus Life | There are over 200 student clubs and societies. It has 4 media groups including a magazine, a radio station, a newspaper, and a television. All of these have won some national awards. Wellbeing and fitness clubs along with over 50 sports clubs are offered to students. Two major student unions and one student representative council offer support and help to the freshman. | 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. |
| Hostel | #Rooms - $7135 | #Accommodation (Catered) - $8442 #Accommodation (Self Catered) - $8694 |
| Famous Alumni | Seven Nobel prize winners, Scotland’s first minister, and a prime minister are a part of the alumni community. Some of the famous names are Adam Smith (economist), Nicola Sturgeon (First minister of Scotland), Kenneth Calman (Chancellor University of Glasgow), Willson Thomas (mathematician), Gerard Butler (Actor), Henry Campbell (Former PM of UK), Edwin Morgan (poet), etc. | 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) |
| City Life | The city of Glasgow offers botanic gardens, live music, museums, parks, theatres, and a lot more to explore. It is also considered as a shoppers paradise offering high-end brands to vintage wares. Finneiston neighborhood is the city’s food quarter catering to every foodie’s need and demand. It is UK’s first UNESCO city of music and offers a buzzing nightlife with pubs, bars, and ballroom. The unemployment rate is around 5,7%. | 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 |
| Weather |
University of Glasgow vs University of Birmingham
Subject Strength & World Rankings (2025/2026)
Glasgow and Birmingham are both very highly ranked Russell Group universities, held in high esteem around the world. Glasgow is ranked #79 in QS and 87th in Times Higher Education, while Birmingham is ranked #76 in QS and 93rd in Times Higher Education. In terms of subject, Glasgow is particularly strong in Life Sciences, Medicine, Veterinary Science, Arts & Humanities, and Social Sciences. Birmingham is particularly good for Business, Engineering, Law, Education, and Social Sciences, and has a global leadership profile for clinical and health-related research.
General Information
The 1451-established University of Glasgow is the fourth-oldest English-speaking university, with a student body of around 36,000. It boasts a historic campus in Scotland's largest city and a high international focus.
The 1900-established University of Birmingham was England's first "red brick" university and has around 38,000 students. Its extensive Edgbaston, Birmingham, campus mixes history with latest facilities and close industry connections.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
The admissions of both universities are competitive. Glasgow's stands at approximately 15%, while Birmingham's is 13.8%. Both have high grades in A-level, IB, or equivalent, along with evidence of English language proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL) for foreign students. Glasgow is specially restrictive for medicine and veterinary science, while Birmingham is very competitive in the fields of law, business, and engineering.
Research Impact & Facilities
Glasgow is a world leader in veterinary, life sciences, and medical research with state-of-the-art facilities such as the James Watt Nanofabrication Centre. It also excels in arts and cultural studies.
Birmingham excels in clinical health research, engineering, physics, and social sciences. Its key research centers include the Birmingham Energy Institute, and it has good links with NHS and international organizations.
Cost & Financial Aid
Both universities require international students to pay UK £20,000–30,000 annually based on the course, with medicine and science-intensive courses on the higher side. Daily living is a little bit cheaper in Glasgow than in Birmingham. Both institutions offer scholarships, merit grants, and need-based financial assistance to reach out to international students.
Career Outcomes & Alumni Success
Glasgow graduates have good performance in healthcare, public policy, academia, and cultural industries, with great employability in the UK and overseas.
Birmingham has an equally strong graduate reputation, with alumni achieving success in business, law, government, and STEM sectors. Its large alumni network and central location in the UK help students connect with employers in both London and the Midlands.
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