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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.

B
Birkbeck, University of London

London · QS World #354

C
Cardiff University

Cardiff · QS World #179

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.

2/10

Birkbeck

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

8/10

Cardiff

scored higher in 8 categories

Quick Verdict

Cardiff University leads in 8 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary, courses). Birkbeck, University of London is ahead on established, scholarship.

Birkbeck, University of London vs Cardiff University at a glance

Birkbeck, University of London and Cardiff University both teach 43 subject areas, the largest being Law, Politics & International Relations and Sociology & Criminology. Birkbeck, University of London offers 361 courses across 69 subject areas; Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £30,700 at Cardiff University: Birkbeck, University of London is about £12,200 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £25,950 at Cardiff University: Birkbeck, University of London is about £5,100 a year cheaper.

Of the 23 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Birkbeck, University of London is higher in 10 and Cardiff University in 8, with 5 about level. The widest gap is in Economics: £23,000 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, against £32,000 from Cardiff University. Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Birkbeck, University of London is higher in 13 and Cardiff University in 8, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#354
QS World
#179
#301
THE World
#201
—
Guardian UK
#34
1823
Established
1883
No
Russell Group
Yes
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

Cardiff University

85.1%
86.3%

Satisfaction

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

£32,500
£36,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.6%
82.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

12%
16%

International

International student share

361
362

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

16
0

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

Cardiff

89 countries · 16% international

  • 🇨🇳China22.8%
  • 🇮🇳India14.5%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia7.3%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia5.7%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5%

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.

Birkbeck, University of London

Cardiff University

Also taught at both: Geology & Earth Sciences, Psychology (General), Social Sciences (General), Human Geography & Environment, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Biological Sciences (General), Business Studies, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Finance & Actuarial Science, Philosophy, Creative Writing, English Literature, Archaeology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Asian Languages & Studies, Computing & IT, English Studies, Linguistics, Marketing, Planning & Housing, Software Engineering, Statistics, Applied Psychology, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Environmental Sciences, Human Resource Management, Design & Fashion, Microbiology & Cell Biology.

Only at Birkbeck, University of London

Only at Cardiff 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
Cardiff University
£30,700

Birkbeck, University of London is about £12,200 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Birkbeck, University of London
£20,850
Cardiff University
£25,950

Birkbeck, University of London is about £5,100 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.

Birkbeck, University of London

Cardiff University

  • Law

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    94%Satisfaction81%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    96%Satisfaction88%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    88%Satisfaction87%

  • Computer Science

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    72%Satisfaction70%

  • Mathematics

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    94%Satisfaction84%

  • Physical Geography & Climate

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    84%Satisfaction89%

  • Ancient Languages

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    85%Satisfaction83%

  • Journalism

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    87%Satisfaction83%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    86%SatisfactionNo data

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    95%Satisfaction92%

  • Economics

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    88%Satisfaction80%

  • Accounting

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    75%Satisfaction88%

Showing the 12 largest of 24 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 →

Cardiff University

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Birkbeck, University of London vs Cardiff University: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £30,700 at Cardiff University: Birkbeck, University of London is about £12,200 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £25,950 at Cardiff University: Birkbeck, University of London is about £5,100 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 Birkbeck, University of London and Cardiff University?

Both universities teach 43 subject areas: Law, Politics & International Relations, Sociology & Criminology, Computer Science, Business & Management (General), Mathematics, Management, Physical Geography & Climate, Ancient Languages, Journalism, Media & Film Studies, History and 31 more.

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

Law graduates earn a median £22,500 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, and £24,500 from Cardiff University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 94% at Birkbeck, University of London and 81% at Cardiff University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

Cardiff University lists 362 courses on CourseOptions and Birkbeck, University of London lists 361 courses.

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

Birkbeck, University of London teaches 26 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including History of Art & Design, Biochemistry, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Classical Studies, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Drama & Theatre, Healthcare Science, Information & Library Studies and 18 more.

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

Cardiff University teaches 43 subject areas that Birkbeck, University of London does not, including Civil Engineering, Welsh Studies, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Architecture, General Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Clinical Specialities and 35 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

B
Birkbeck, University of London361 courses · 16 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
C
Cardiff University362 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses