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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

K
King's College London, University of London

London · QS World #37

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.

2/11

Birkbeck

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

9/11

King's College London

scored higher in 9 categories

Quick Verdict

King's College London, University of London leads in 9 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, TEF, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary, courses). Birkbeck, University of London is ahead on established, scholarship.

Birkbeck, University of London vs King's College London, University of London at a glance

Birkbeck, University of London and King's College London, University of London both teach 49 subject areas, the largest being Law, Politics & International Relations and Economics. Birkbeck, University of London offers 361 courses across 69 subject areas; King's College London, University of London offers 373 courses across 80 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £32,100 at King's College London, University of London: Birkbeck, University of London is about £13,600 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £21,100 at King's College London, University of London: Birkbeck, University of London is about £250 a year cheaper.

Of the 17 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, King's College London, University of London is higher in 14 and Birkbeck, University of London in 2, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Law: £22,500 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, against £42,000 from King's College London, University of London. Of the 17 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Birkbeck, University of London is higher in 8 and King's College London, University of London in 7, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#354
QS World
#37
#301
THE World
#38
—
Guardian UK
#26
1823
Established
1829
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

King's College London, University of London

85.1%
85.9%

Satisfaction

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

£32,500
£43,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.6%
81.9%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

12%
38.4%

International

International student share

361
373

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

King's College London

124 countries · 38.4% international

  • 🇨🇳China36.6%
  • 🇮🇳India7.1%
  • 🇺🇸United States3.8%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong3.7%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore3.2%

Subjects

49 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

King's College London, University of London

Also taught at both: Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Accounting, Philosophy, Social Sciences (General), Finance & Actuarial Science, Information & Library Studies, Information Systems & Data Science, Biochemistry, Classical Studies, Human Geography & Environment, International Development, English Literature, English Studies, Marketing, Archaeology, Asian Languages & Studies, Drama & Theatre, Geology & Earth Sciences, Healthcare Science, Liberal Arts, Linguistics, Natural Sciences, Social Policy & Public Policy, Applied Psychology, Statistics, Teacher Training, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Environmental Sciences, Genetics & Genomics, Human Resource Management, Personal & Professional Development, Software Engineering, Biology, Microbiology & Cell Biology.

Only at Birkbeck, University of London

Only at King's College London, 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
King's College London, University of London
£32,100

Birkbeck, University of London is about £13,600 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Birkbeck, University of London
£20,850
King's College London, University of London
£21,100

Birkbeck, University of London is about £250 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

King's College London, University of London

  • Law

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£42,000
    94%Satisfaction91%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    96%Satisfaction90%

  • Economics

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£37,000
    88%Satisfaction86%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    95%Satisfaction92%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    86%Satisfaction86%

  • Mathematics

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£36,000
    94%Satisfaction86%

  • Ancient Languages

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    85%Satisfaction90%

  • Psychology (General)

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£37,000
    84%Satisfaction88%

  • Computer Science

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£44,500
    72%Satisfaction75%

  • Physical Geography & Climate

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
    84%Satisfaction87%

  • Accounting

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£35,000
    75%Satisfaction91%

  • Philosophy

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£28,500
    91%Satisfaction89%

Showing the 12 largest of 17 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 →

King's College London, University of London

Alexandros Petersen Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

GREAT Scholarships

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Organ Scholarship

£4,000

Deadline: N/A

BFI Collaborative Doctoral Award

See details

Deadline: N/A

CMR Fellowship Programme

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Birkbeck, University of London vs King's College London, University of London: common questions

Is Birkbeck, University of London or King's College London, 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 £32,100 at King's College London, University of London: Birkbeck, University of London is about £13,600 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £21,100 at King's College London, University of London: Birkbeck, University of London is about £250 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 King's College London, University of London?

Both universities teach 49 subject areas: Law, Politics & International Relations, Economics, History, Media & Film Studies, Mathematics, Sociology & Criminology, Ancient Languages, Psychology (General), Management, Business & Management (General), Computer Science and 37 more.

Is Birkbeck, University of London or King's College London, University of London better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £22,500 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, and £42,000 from King's College London, University of London. Student satisfaction with teaching is 94% at Birkbeck, University of London and 91% at King's College London, University of London. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Birkbeck, University of London or King's College London, University of London offer more courses?

King's College London, University of London lists 373 courses on CourseOptions and Birkbeck, University of London lists 361 courses.

What can you study at Birkbeck, University of London but not at King's College London, University of London?

Birkbeck, University of London teaches 20 subject areas that King's College London, University of London does not, including History of Art & Design, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Creative Writing, Journalism, Business Studies, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Astronomy & Astrophysics and 12 more.

What can you study at King's College London, University of London but not at Birkbeck, University of London?

King's College London, University of London teaches 31 subject areas that Birkbeck, University of London does not, including Dentistry, Medicine, Education Studies, Physics, Biomedical Sciences, Nursing (General), Specialist Clinical Nursing, Anatomy & Pathology and 23 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
K
King's College London, University of London373 courses · 10 scholarshipsBrowse Courses