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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.

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Birkbeck, University of London

London · QS World #354

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Birmingham City University

Birmingham · QS World #1001

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 3 datapoints

We looked at 3 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

3/3

Birkbeck

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

0/3

Birmingham City

scored higher in 0 categories

Quick Verdict

Birkbeck, University of London leads in 3 of 3 categories where both have data (ranking, courses, scholarship). Birmingham City University does not lead in any category where both have data.

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

Birkbeck, University of London and Birmingham City University both teach 33 subject areas, the largest being Law, Sociology & Criminology and Business & Management (General). Birkbeck, University of London offers 361 courses across 69 subject areas; Birmingham City University offers 284 courses across 68 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £18,570 at Birmingham City University, so the two cost about the same.

Of the 16 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Birkbeck, University of London is higher in 15 and Birmingham City University in 1. The widest gap is in Business Information Systems: £38,000 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, against £23,000 from Birmingham City University. Of the 18 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Birmingham City University is higher in 11 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.

#354
QS World
#1001
#301
THE World
—
—
Guardian UK
—
1823
Established
N/A
No
Russell Group
No
Bronze
TEF Rating
—

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Birkbeck, University of London

Birmingham City University

85.1%
No data

Satisfaction

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

£32,500
No data

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.6%
No data

Employment

Graduate employment rate

12%
No data

International

International student share

361
284

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

16
10

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.

Birkbeck

60 countries · 12% international

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

Birmingham City

No published data on international students

    Subjects

    33 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.

    Birkbeck, University of London

    Birmingham City University

    Also taught at both: Management, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biochemistry, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Mathematics, Software Engineering, Drama & Theatre, Teacher Training, Applied Psychology, Astronomy & Astrophysics, English Literature, English Studies, Information Systems & Data Science, Business Information Systems, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Human Resource Management, Microbiology & Cell Biology.

    Only at Birkbeck, University of London

    Only at Birmingham City 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

    Birkbeck, University of London
    £18,500
    Birmingham City University
    £18,570

    About the same.

    Postgraduate

    Birkbeck, University of London
    £20,850
    Birmingham City University
    No data

    We do not have reliable international fee data for Birmingham City 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.

    Birkbeck, University of London

    Birmingham City University

    • Law

      £22,500Salary (3 years)£20,000
      94%Satisfaction80%

    • Sociology & Criminology

      £23,000Salary (3 years)£22,000
      88%Satisfaction89%

    • Business & Management (General)

      £29,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
      76%Satisfaction83%

    • Media & Film Studies

      £24,000Salary (3 years)£21,500
      86%Satisfaction87%

    • Computer Science

      £38,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
      72%Satisfaction78%

    • Accounting

      £29,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
      75%Satisfaction74%

    • Marketing

      £29,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
      75%Satisfaction92%

    • Business Studies

      £27,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
      98%Satisfaction85%

    • Psychology (General)

      £26,000Salary (3 years)£19,500
      84%Satisfaction79%

    • Economics

      £23,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
      88%Satisfaction77%

    • Journalism

      £24,000Salary (3 years)£21,500
      87%Satisfaction91%

    • Finance & Actuarial Science

      £29,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
      78%Satisfaction80%

    Showing the 12 largest of 18 shared subjects with published outcomes.

    Scholarships for International Students

    Exclusive

    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 →

    Birmingham City University

    Henderson Bursaries and Scholarships 2026

    £10,000

    Deadline: N/A

    Henderson Bursaries and Scholarships 2026

    £10,000

    Deadline: N/A

    Millennium Point Scholarship

    100%

    Deadline: N/A

    Scott Trust Bursary

    £7,415

    Deadline: N/A

    Santander Scholarship

    £2,000

    Deadline: N/A

    View all scholarships →

    FAQ

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

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

    For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £18,570 at Birmingham City University, so the two cost about the same. 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 Birkbeck, University of London and Birmingham City University?

    Both universities teach 33 subject areas: Law, Sociology & Criminology, Business & Management (General), Media & Film Studies, Computer Science, Design & Fashion, Politics & International Relations, Accounting, Marketing, Business Studies, Psychology (General), Economics and 21 more.

    Is Birkbeck, University of London or Birmingham City University better for Law?

    Law graduates earn a median £22,500 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, and £20,000 from Birmingham City University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 94% at Birkbeck, University of London and 80% at Birmingham City University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

    Birkbeck, University of London lists 361 courses on CourseOptions and Birmingham City University lists 284 courses.

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

    Birkbeck, University of London teaches 36 subject areas that Birmingham City University does not, including History, Physical Geography & Climate, Ancient Languages, History of Art & Design, Philosophy, Classical Studies, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Social Sciences (General) and 28 more.

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

    Birmingham City University teaches 35 subject areas that Birkbeck, University of London does not, including Childhood & Youth Studies, Nursing (General), Building & Construction, Film Production & Cinematography, Games Design & Computer Animation, Civil Engineering, Health & Social Care, Sport & Exercise Sciences and 27 more.

    Ready to explore courses?

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

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    Birkbeck, University of London361 courses · 16 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
    B
    Birmingham City University284 courses · 10 scholarshipsBrowse Courses