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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

G
Goldsmiths, University of London

London · QS World #701

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 9 datapoints

We looked at 9 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

5/9

Birkbeck

scored higher in 5 categories

VS

4/9

Goldsmiths

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

Birkbeck, University of London leads in 5 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, established, graduate salary, courses). Goldsmiths, University of London is ahead on satisfaction, employment, international, scholarship.

Birkbeck, University of London vs Goldsmiths, University of London at a glance

Birkbeck, University of London and Goldsmiths, University of London both teach 26 subject areas, the largest being Media & Film Studies, Sociology & Criminology and Computer Science. Birkbeck, University of London offers 361 courses across 69 subject areas; Goldsmiths, University of London offers 291 courses across 39 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £22,000 at Goldsmiths, University of London: Birkbeck, University of London is about £3,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £22,000 at Goldsmiths, University of London: Birkbeck, University of London is about £1,150 a year cheaper.

Of the 10 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Goldsmiths, University of London is higher in 7 and Birkbeck, University of London in 3. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £38,000 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, against £31,500 from Goldsmiths, University of London. Of the 14 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Birkbeck, University of London is higher in 8 and Goldsmiths, University of London in 6.

World & National Rankings

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

#354
QS World
#701
#301
THE World
#501
—
Guardian UK
#84
1823
Established
1891
No
Russell Group
No
Bronze
TEF Rating
Bronze

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Birkbeck, University of London

Goldsmiths, University of London

85.1%
85.4%

Satisfaction

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

£32,500
£29,600

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.6%
83%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

12%
40.3%

International

International student share

361
291

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

16
29

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

Goldsmiths

59 countries · 40.3% international

  • 🇨🇳China54.1%
  • 🇺🇸United States7.4%
  • 🌐Korea (South)4.7%
  • 🇮🇳India4.4%
  • 🌐Taiwan2.2%

Subjects

26 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

Goldsmiths, University of London

Also taught at both: Personal & Professional Development, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, English Studies, Journalism, Drama & Theatre, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Design & Fashion, Mathematics, Applied Psychology, Information & Library Studies, Clinical & Health Psychology.

Only at Birkbeck, University of London

Only at Goldsmiths, 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

Birkbeck, University of London
£18,500
Goldsmiths, University of London
£22,000

Birkbeck, University of London is about £3,500 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Birkbeck, University of London
£20,850
Goldsmiths, University of London
£22,000

Birkbeck, University of London is about £1,150 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.

Birkbeck, University of London

Goldsmiths, University of London

  • Media & Film Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    86%Satisfaction83%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    88%Satisfaction74%

  • Computer Science

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£31,500
    72%Satisfaction81%

  • Law

    £22,500Salary (3 years)No data
    94%Satisfaction96%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    96%Satisfaction87%

  • Psychology (General)

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    84%Satisfaction79%

  • Economics

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    88%Satisfaction87%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    95%Satisfaction98%

  • History of Art & Design

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    89%Satisfaction95%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £29,500Salary (3 years)No data
    76%Satisfaction73%

  • Marketing

    £29,500Salary (3 years)No data
    75%Satisfaction71%

  • English Studies

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    94%Satisfaction83%

Showing the 12 largest of 14 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 →

Goldsmiths, University of London

ESRC/SENSS Doctoral Studentships

£22,780

Deadline: N/A

Migrant Futures Doctoral Studentships

£22,780

Deadline: N/A

Academics at Risk Scholarship

£15,000

Deadline: N/A

Rob Stringer Scholarship

£12,000

Deadline: N/A

Generation Delta Studentships

100%

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Birkbeck, University of London vs Goldsmiths, University of London: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £22,000 at Goldsmiths, University of London: Birkbeck, University of London is about £3,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £22,000 at Goldsmiths, University of London: Birkbeck, University of London is about £1,150 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 Birkbeck, University of London and Goldsmiths, University of London?

Both universities teach 26 subject areas: Media & Film Studies, Sociology & Criminology, Computer Science, Law, Politics & International Relations, Psychology (General), Counselling & Psychotherapy, Economics, History, History of Art & Design, Business & Management (General), Management and 14 more.

Is Birkbeck, University of London or Goldsmiths, University of London better for Media & Film Studies?

Media & Film Studies graduates earn a median £24,000 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, and £25,000 from Goldsmiths, University of London. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at Birkbeck, University of London and 83% at Goldsmiths, University of London. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

Birkbeck, University of London lists 361 courses on CourseOptions and Goldsmiths, University of London lists 291 courses.

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

Birkbeck, University of London teaches 43 subject areas that Goldsmiths, University of London does not, including Physical Geography & Climate, Accounting, Biochemistry, Business Studies, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Philosophy, Classical Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science and 35 more.

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

Goldsmiths, University of London teaches 13 subject areas that Birkbeck, University of London does not, including Social Work, Anthropology, Music, Fine Art, Education Studies, Games Design & Computer Animation, Welsh Studies, Film Production & Cinematography and 5 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
G
Goldsmiths, University of London291 courses · 29 scholarshipsBrowse Courses