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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

D
Durham University

Durham · QS World #85

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 11 datapoints

We looked at 11 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

3/11

Birkbeck

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

8/11

Durham

scored higher in 8 categories

Quick Verdict

Durham University leads in 8 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, TEF, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, scholarship). Birkbeck, University of London is ahead on established, employment, courses.

Birkbeck, University of London vs Durham University at a glance

Birkbeck, University of London and Durham University both teach 35 subject areas, the largest being Law, Politics & International Relations and Sociology & Criminology. Birkbeck, University of London offers 361 courses across 69 subject areas; Durham University offers 278 courses across 54 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £31,000 at Durham University: Birkbeck, University of London is about £12,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £30,500 at Durham University: Birkbeck, University of London is about £9,650 a year cheaper.

Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Durham University is higher in 21 and Birkbeck, University of London in 1. The widest gap is in Economics: £23,000 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, against £42,000 from Durham University. Of the 23 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Durham University is higher in 13 and Birkbeck, University of London in 10.

World & National Rankings

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

#354
QS World
#85
#301
THE World
#175
—
Guardian UK
#6
1823
Established
1832
No
Russell Group
Yes
Bronze
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Birkbeck, University of London

Durham University

85.1%
90.7%

Satisfaction

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

£32,500
£43,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.6%
74.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

12%
32.6%

International

International student share

361
278

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

16
102

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

Durham

86 countries · 32.6% international

  • 🇨🇳China49.5%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong7.4%
  • 🇮🇳India5.9%
  • 🇺🇸United States4.9%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore2.6%

Subjects

35 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

Durham University

Also taught at both: Mathematics, Classical Studies, Philosophy, Chemistry, Geology & Earth Sciences, Natural Sciences, Biochemistry, Human Geography & Environment, English Studies, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Asian Languages & Studies, Biology, English Literature, Social Sciences (General), Liberal Arts, Marketing, Teacher Training, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Humanities, Social Policy & Public Policy.

Only at Birkbeck, University of London

Only at Durham 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
Durham University
£31,000

Birkbeck, University of London is about £12,500 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Birkbeck, University of London
£20,850
Durham University
£30,500

Birkbeck, University of London is about £9,650 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

Durham University

  • Law

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£36,000
    94%Satisfaction90%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£34,000
    96%Satisfaction88%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    88%Satisfaction89%

  • Economics

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£42,000
    88%Satisfaction90%

  • Computer Science

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£40,000
    72%Satisfaction87%

  • Psychology (General)

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    84%Satisfaction91%

  • Accounting

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£44,000
    75%Satisfaction89%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    95%Satisfaction94%

  • Ancient Languages

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    85%Satisfaction92%

  • Archaeology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    97%Satisfaction96%

  • Business Studies

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£41,000
    98%Satisfaction83%

  • Physical Geography & Climate

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    84%Satisfaction97%

Showing the 12 largest of 23 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 →

Durham University

Sir Harry Evans Global Fellowship

£53,333

Deadline: N/A

Durham Inspiring Excellence Scholarships - Undergraduate

£30,000

Deadline: N/A

The Global DBA Scholarships

£25,000

Deadline: Nov 2026

The Mary Ward Postgraduate Scholarship Fund

£25,000

Deadline: N/A

Global Grand Challenges Studentships

£20,780

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Birkbeck, University of London vs Durham University: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £31,000 at Durham University: Birkbeck, University of London is about £12,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £30,500 at Durham University: Birkbeck, University of London is about £9,650 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 Durham University?

Both universities teach 35 subject areas: Law, Politics & International Relations, Sociology & Criminology, Economics, Computer Science, Psychology (General), Business & Management (General), Accounting, History, Ancient Languages, Archaeology, Business Studies and 23 more.

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

Law graduates earn a median £22,500 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, and £36,000 from Durham University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 94% at Birkbeck, University of London and 90% at Durham University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

Birkbeck, University of London lists 361 courses on CourseOptions and Durham University lists 278 courses.

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

Birkbeck, University of London teaches 34 subject areas that Durham University does not, including Media & Film Studies, History of Art & Design, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Creative Writing, Journalism, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Astronomy & Astrophysics and 26 more.

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

Durham University teaches 19 subject areas that Birkbeck, University of London does not, including Theology & Religious Studies, General Engineering, Anthropology, Education Studies, Physics, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Civil Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering and 11 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
D
Durham University278 courses · 102 scholarshipsBrowse Courses