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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

L
Lancaster University

Lancaster · QS World #164

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.

3/10

Birkbeck

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

7/10

Lancaster

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

Lancaster University leads in 7 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, TEF, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses). Birkbeck, University of London is ahead on established, employment, scholarship.

Birkbeck, University of London vs Lancaster University at a glance

Birkbeck, University of London and Lancaster University both teach 40 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Sociology & Criminology and Mathematics. Birkbeck, University of London offers 361 courses across 69 subject areas; Lancaster University offers 526 courses across 71 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £28,680 at Lancaster University: Birkbeck, University of London is about £10,180 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £24,300 at Lancaster University: Birkbeck, University of London is about £3,450 a year cheaper.

Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Birkbeck, University of London is higher in 11 and Lancaster University in 8, with 3 about level. The widest gap is in Economics: £23,000 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, against £31,000 from Lancaster University. Of the 23 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Lancaster University is higher in 17 and Birkbeck, University of London in 5, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#354
QS World
#164
#301
THE World
#184
—
Guardian UK
#10
1823
Established
1964
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

Lancaster University

85.1%
88.5%

Satisfaction

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

£32,500
£35,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.6%
79.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

12%
22.4%

International

International student share

361
526

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

16
11

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

Lancaster

83 countries · 22.4% international

  • 🇨🇳China41.1%
  • 🇮🇳India9.8%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5.9%
  • 🇪🇸Spain3.8%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.1%

Subjects

40 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

Lancaster University

Also taught at both: Human Geography & Environment, English Literature, Ancient Languages, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Environmental Sciences, Management, Business Studies, Creative Writing, Finance & Actuarial Science, Statistics, Drama & Theatre, Natural Sciences, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biological Sciences (General), Design & Fashion, Information Systems & Data Science, Software Engineering, English Studies, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Computing & IT, Clinical & Health Psychology, Human Resource Management, Humanities, Social Policy & Public Policy.

Only at Birkbeck, University of London

Only at Lancaster 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
Lancaster University
£28,680

Birkbeck, University of London is about £10,180 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Birkbeck, University of London
£20,850
Lancaster University
£24,300

Birkbeck, University of London is about £3,450 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

Lancaster University

  • Business & Management (General)

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    76%Satisfaction82%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    88%Satisfaction92%

  • Mathematics

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    94%Satisfaction89%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    96%Satisfaction90%

  • Law

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    94%Satisfaction90%

  • Economics

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    88%Satisfaction86%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£19,500
    86%Satisfaction89%

  • Computer Science

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£35,000
    72%Satisfaction80%

  • Linguistics

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    90%Satisfaction94%

  • History

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

  • Marketing

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
    75%Satisfaction90%

  • Accounting

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    75%Satisfaction90%

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 →

Lancaster University

India Scholarship – Postgraduate

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

LPDP Scholarship 2026

100%

Deadline: N/A

Lancaster Sanctuary Fellowship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Master's Scholarship for Black British Students

100%

Deadline: N/A

Fulgoni Scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Birkbeck, University of London vs Lancaster University: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £28,680 at Lancaster University: Birkbeck, University of London is about £10,180 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £24,300 at Lancaster University: Birkbeck, University of London is about £3,450 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 Lancaster University?

Both universities teach 40 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Sociology & Criminology, Mathematics, Politics & International Relations, Law, Economics, Media & Film Studies, Computer Science, Linguistics, History, Marketing, Accounting and 28 more.

Is Birkbeck, University of London or Lancaster 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 £31,000 from Lancaster University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 76% at Birkbeck, University of London and 82% at Lancaster University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

Lancaster University lists 526 courses on CourseOptions and Birkbeck, University of London lists 361 courses.

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

Birkbeck, University of London teaches 29 subject areas that Lancaster University does not, including History of Art & Design, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Journalism, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Classical Studies, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Social Sciences (General), Archaeology and 21 more.

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

Lancaster University teaches 31 subject areas that Birkbeck, University of London does not, including Biomedical Sciences, Physics, Chemical Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, General Engineering, Geography (General), Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Mechanical Engineering 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
L
Lancaster University526 courses · 11 scholarshipsBrowse Courses