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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.

A
Aberystwyth University

Aberystwyth · QS World #801

B
Birkbeck, University of London

London · QS World #354

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 5 datapoints

We looked at 5 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

3/5

Aberystwyth

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

2/5

Birkbeck

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

Aberystwyth University leads in 3 of 5 categories where both have data (TEF, courses, scholarship). Birkbeck, University of London is ahead on ranking, established.

Aberystwyth University vs Birkbeck, University of London at a glance

Aberystwyth University and Birkbeck, University of London both teach 43 subject areas, the largest being Law, Politics & International Relations and History. Aberystwyth University offers 414 courses across 66 subject areas; Birkbeck, University of London offers 361 courses across 69 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,720 a year at Aberystwyth University and £18,500 at Birkbeck, University of London: Birkbeck, University of London is about £2,220 a year cheaper.

Of the 25 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Birkbeck, University of London is higher in 25 and Aberystwyth University in 0. The widest gap is in Creative Writing: £15,500 three years after graduating from Aberystwyth University, against £31,500 from Birkbeck, University of London. Of the 27 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Aberystwyth University is higher in 14 and Birkbeck, University of London in 11, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#801
QS World
#354
—
THE World
#301
#62
Guardian UK
—
1872
Established
1823
No
Russell Group
No
Gold
TEF Rating
Bronze

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.

Aberystwyth University

Birkbeck, University of London

No data
85.1%

Satisfaction

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

No data
£32,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

No data
79.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

No data
12%

International

International student share

414
361

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

22
16

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.

Aberystwyth

No published data on international students

    VS

    Birkbeck

    60 countries · 12% international

    • 🇺🇸United States10.8%
    • 🇨🇳China9.7%
    • 🇮🇳India8.6%
    • 🇪🇸Spain4.8%
    • 🇮🇹Italy4.3%

    Subjects

    43 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.

    Aberystwyth University

    Birkbeck, University of London

    Also taught at both: Ancient Languages, Drama & Theatre, Biochemistry, Finance & Actuarial Science, Human Geography & Environment, Marketing, Environmental Sciences, Management, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Counselling & Psychotherapy, English Literature, Information & Library Studies, Geology & Earth Sciences, Philosophy, Applied Psychology, Biology, Computing & IT, Information Systems & Data Science, Microbiology & Cell Biology, English Studies, French, Genetics & Genomics, GIS & Remote Sensing, Biological Sciences (General), Humanities, Software Engineering, Heritage & Conservation, Spanish & Portuguese.

    Only at Aberystwyth University

    Only at Birkbeck, University of 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

    Aberystwyth University
    £20,720
    Birkbeck, University of London
    £18,500

    Birkbeck, University of London is about £2,220 a year cheaper.

    Postgraduate

    Aberystwyth University
    No data
    Birkbeck, University of London
    £20,850

    We do not have reliable international fee data for Aberystwyth University yet.

    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.

    Aberystwyth University

    Birkbeck, University of London

    • Law

      £20,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
      87%Satisfaction94%

    • Politics & International Relations

      £22,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
      92%Satisfaction96%

    • History

      £19,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
      92%Satisfaction95%

    • Sociology & Criminology

      £20,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
      87%Satisfaction88%

    • Computer Science

      £34,000Salary (3 years)£38,000
      84%Satisfaction72%

    • Mathematics

      £23,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
      97%Satisfaction94%

    • Physical Geography & Climate

      £24,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
      96%Satisfaction84%

    • Creative Writing

      £15,500Salary (3 years)£31,500
      93%Satisfaction93%

    • Economics

      £22,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
      73%Satisfaction88%

    • Psychology (General)

      £18,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
      91%Satisfaction84%

    • Accounting

      £23,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
      98%Satisfaction75%

    • Business Studies

      £23,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
      93%Satisfaction98%

    Showing the 12 largest of 27 shared subjects with published outcomes.

    Scholarships for International Students

    Exclusive

    Aberystwyth University

    International Accommodation Award

    100%

    Deadline: N/A

    International Accommodation Award

    100%

    Deadline: N/A

    Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship Exam

    £6,000

    Deadline: N/A

    Vice-Chancellor's Regional Scholarship (PG)

    £3,000

    Deadline: N/A

    David Game College Scholarship

    £2,500

    Deadline: N/A

    View all scholarships →

    Birkbeck, University of London

    Bonnart Trust Sanctuary Scholarship

    £18,000

    Deadline: Jun 2026

    Cyril Taylor Scholarships

    £15,000

    Deadline: Jul 2026

    Breakspear scholarship

    £12,000

    Deadline: Jul 2026

    MA History of Art scholarship

    £6,000

    Deadline: Jul 2026

    Legal & General Sustainable Leaders Bursary

    £5,000

    Deadline: N/A

    View all scholarships →

    FAQ

    Aberystwyth University vs Birkbeck, University of London: common questions

    Is Aberystwyth University or Birkbeck, University of London cheaper for international students?

    For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,720 a year at Aberystwyth University and £18,500 at Birkbeck, University of London: Birkbeck, University of London is about £2,220 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 Aberystwyth University and Birkbeck, University of London?

    Both universities teach 43 subject areas: Law, Politics & International Relations, History, Sociology & Criminology, Computer Science, Mathematics, Physical Geography & Climate, Business & Management (General), Creative Writing, Economics, Psychology (General), Accounting and 31 more.

    Is Aberystwyth University or Birkbeck, University of London better for Law?

    Law graduates earn a median £20,000 three years after graduating from Aberystwyth University, and £22,500 from Birkbeck, University of London. Student satisfaction with teaching is 87% at Aberystwyth University and 94% at Birkbeck, University of London. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

    Does Aberystwyth University or Birkbeck, University of London offer more courses?

    Aberystwyth University lists 414 courses on CourseOptions and Birkbeck, University of London lists 361 courses.

    What can you study at Aberystwyth University but not at Birkbeck, University of London?

    Aberystwyth University teaches 23 subject areas that Birkbeck, University of London does not, including Physics, Welsh Studies, Agriculture & Land Management, Animal Science, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Ecology & Conservation, Zoology & Animal Biology, Childhood & Youth Studies and 15 more.

    What can you study at Birkbeck, University of London but not at Aberystwyth University?

    Birkbeck, University of London teaches 26 subject areas that Aberystwyth University does not, including Journalism, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Classical Studies, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Social Sciences (General), Archaeology, Asian Languages & Studies and 18 more.

    Ready to explore courses?

    Browse available courses, check entry requirements, and find scholarships at each university.

    A
    Aberystwyth University414 courses · 22 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
    B
    Birkbeck, University of London361 courses · 16 scholarshipsBrowse Courses