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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
Kingston University

London · QS World #686

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.

6/10

Birkbeck

scored higher in 6 categories

VS

4/10

Kingston

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

Birkbeck, University of London leads in 6 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, established, employment, graduate salary, scholarship). Kingston University is ahead on TEF, satisfaction, international, courses.

Birkbeck, University of London vs Kingston University at a glance

Birkbeck, University of London and Kingston University both teach 31 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Law and Sociology & Criminology. Birkbeck, University of London offers 361 courses across 69 subject areas; Kingston University offers 390 courses across 67 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £18,500 at Kingston University, so the two cost about the same. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £18,900 at Kingston University: Kingston University is about £1,950 a year cheaper.

Of the 16 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Birkbeck, University of London is higher in 13 and Kingston University in 3. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £38,000 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, against £24,500 from Kingston University. Of the 17 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Birkbeck, University of London is higher in 9 and Kingston University in 8.

World & National Rankings

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

#354
QS World
#686
#301
THE World
#801
—
Guardian UK
#67
1823
Established
1899
No
Russell Group
No
Bronze
TEF Rating
Gold

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Birkbeck, University of London

Kingston University

85.1%
85.4%

Satisfaction

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

£32,500
£31,900

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.6%
78.9%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

12%
21.9%

International

International student share

361
390

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

Kingston

91 countries · 21.9% international

  • 🇮🇳India24.1%
  • 🇨🇳China23.8%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria3.5%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan3.2%
  • 🇺🇸United States3.2%

Subjects

31 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

Kingston University

Also taught at both: Biochemistry, Environmental Sciences, Geology & Earth Sciences, Journalism, Marketing, Finance & Actuarial Science, Information Systems & Data Science, Teacher Training, Biological Sciences (General), Computing & IT, Drama & Theatre, Information & Library Studies, Human Geography & Environment, Personal & Professional Development, Human Resource Management, Software Engineering.

Only at Birkbeck, University of London

Only at Kingston 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
Kingston University
£18,500

About the same.

Postgraduate

Birkbeck, University of London
£20,850
Kingston University
£18,900

Kingston University is about £1,950 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

Kingston University

  • Business & Management (General)

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    76%Satisfaction81%

  • Law

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    94%Satisfaction92%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    88%Satisfaction81%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    86%Satisfaction76%

  • Economics

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    88%Satisfaction78%

  • Psychology (General)

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    84%Satisfaction80%

  • Computer Science

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    72%Satisfaction83%

  • Creative Writing

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    93%Satisfaction89%

  • Accounting

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    75%Satisfaction86%

  • Applied Psychology

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    83%Satisfaction77%

  • Business Studies

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    98%Satisfaction71%

  • Biochemistry

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    91%Satisfaction83%

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 →

Kingston University

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Birkbeck, University of London vs Kingston University: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £18,500 at Kingston University, so the two cost about the same. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £18,900 at Kingston University: Kingston University is about £1,950 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 Kingston University?

Both universities teach 31 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Law, Sociology & Criminology, Design & Fashion, Media & Film Studies, Economics, Psychology (General), Computer Science, Chemistry, Creative Writing, Accounting, Applied Psychology and 19 more.

Is Birkbeck, University of London or Kingston University better for Business & Management (General)?

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £29,500 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, and £25,500 from Kingston University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 76% at Birkbeck, University of London and 81% at Kingston University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

Kingston University lists 390 courses on CourseOptions and Birkbeck, University of London lists 361 courses.

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

Birkbeck, University of London teaches 38 subject areas that Kingston University does not, including Politics & International Relations, History, Physical Geography & Climate, Ancient Languages, History of Art & Design, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Mathematics, Hospitality, Events & Tourism and 30 more.

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

Kingston University teaches 36 subject areas that Birkbeck, University of London does not, including Aerospace Engineering, Building & Construction, Childhood & Youth Studies, Mechanical Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Midwifery, Biomedical Sciences and 28 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
Kingston University390 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses