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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
Aston University, Birmingham

Birmingham · QS World #416

B
Birkbeck, University of London

London · QS World #354

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.

5/10

Aston

scored higher in 5 categories

VS

5/10

Birkbeck

scored higher in 5 categories

Quick Verdict

Aston University, Birmingham and Birkbeck, University of London are evenly matched: each leads in 5 of 10 categories where both have data. Aston University, Birmingham is ahead on TEF, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary; Birkbeck, University of London on ranking, established, courses, scholarship.

Aston University, Birmingham vs Birkbeck, University of London at a glance

Aston University, Birmingham and Birkbeck, University of London both teach 30 subject areas, the largest being Business Studies, Sociology & Criminology and Politics & International Relations. Aston University, Birmingham offers 169 courses across 51 subject areas; Birkbeck, University of London offers 361 courses across 69 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £18,500 at Birkbeck, University of London: Birkbeck, University of London is about £4,080 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,000 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £20,850 at Birkbeck, University of London: Birkbeck, University of London is about £3,150 a year cheaper.

Of the 15 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Aston University, Birmingham is higher in 7 and Birkbeck, University of London in 7, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Economics: £35,500 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, against £23,000 from Birkbeck, University of London. Of the 17 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Aston University, Birmingham is higher in 10 and Birkbeck, University of London in 5, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#416
QS World
#354
#401
THE World
#301
#39
Guardian UK
—
1895
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.

Aston University, Birmingham

Birkbeck, University of London

85.2%
85.1%

Satisfaction

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

£37,600
£32,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.5%
79.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.1%
12%

International

International student share

169
361

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
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.

Aston

67 countries · 22.1% international

  • 🇮🇳India40.8%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria10.2%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan5.9%
  • 🌐Kuwait4.2%
  • 🇻🇳Vietnam4%
VS

Birkbeck

60 countries · 12% international

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

Subjects

30 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.

Aston University, Birmingham

Birkbeck, University of London

Also taught at both: Marketing, Biochemistry, Information Systems & Data Science, Linguistics, Social Sciences (General), Healthcare Science, Human Resource Management, Software Engineering, English Studies, Personal & Professional Development, Statistics, Business Information Systems, Clinical & Health Psychology, Design & Fashion, Biological Sciences (General).

Only at Aston University, Birmingham

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

Aston University, Birmingham
£22,580
Birkbeck, University of London
£18,500

Birkbeck, University of London is about £4,080 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Aston University, Birmingham
£24,000
Birkbeck, University of London
£20,850

Birkbeck, University of London is about £3,150 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.

Aston University, Birmingham

Birkbeck, University of London

  • Business Studies

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    82%Satisfaction98%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    89%Satisfaction88%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    81%Satisfaction96%

  • Law

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    89%Satisfaction94%

  • Economics

    £35,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    95%Satisfaction88%

  • History

    No dataSalary (3 years)£23,500
    95%Satisfaction95%

  • Psychology (General)

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    92%Satisfaction84%

  • Computer Science

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£38,000
    85%Satisfaction72%

  • Accounting

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    86%Satisfaction75%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    85%Satisfaction78%

  • Mathematics

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    94%Satisfaction94%

  • Marketing

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
    79%Satisfaction75%

Showing the 12 largest of 17 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Aston University, Birmingham

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

Aston University, Birmingham vs Birkbeck, University of London: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £18,500 at Birkbeck, University of London: Birkbeck, University of London is about £4,080 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,000 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £20,850 at Birkbeck, University of London: Birkbeck, University of London is about £3,150 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 Aston University, Birmingham and Birkbeck, University of London?

Both universities teach 30 subject areas: Business Studies, Sociology & Criminology, Politics & International Relations, Business & Management (General), Law, Economics, History, Media & Film Studies, Psychology (General), Computer Science, Accounting, Finance & Actuarial Science and 18 more.

Is Aston University, Birmingham or Birkbeck, University of London better for Business Studies?

Business Studies graduates earn a median £30,500 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, and £27,000 from Birkbeck, University of London. Student satisfaction with teaching is 82% at Aston University, Birmingham and 98% at Birkbeck, University of London. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Aston University, Birmingham or Birkbeck, University of London offer more courses?

Birkbeck, University of London lists 361 courses on CourseOptions and Aston University, Birmingham lists 169 courses.

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

Aston University, Birmingham teaches 21 subject areas that Birkbeck, University of London does not, including Chemical Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Building & Construction, General Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Civil Engineering, English Language and 13 more.

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

Birkbeck, University of London teaches 39 subject areas that Aston University, Birmingham does not, including Physical Geography & Climate, Ancient Languages, History of Art & Design, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Creative Writing, Journalism, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Philosophy and 31 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

A
Aston University, Birmingham169 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
B
Birkbeck, University of London361 courses · 16 scholarshipsBrowse Courses