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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
London Metropolitan University

Islington · QS World #1001

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.

7/10

Birkbeck

scored higher in 7 categories

VS

3/10

London Metropolitan

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

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

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

Birkbeck, University of London and London Metropolitan University both teach 33 subject areas, the largest being Law, Sociology & Criminology and Design & Fashion. Birkbeck, University of London offers 361 courses across 69 subject areas; London Metropolitan University offers 291 courses across 61 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £19,500 at London Metropolitan University: Birkbeck, University of London is about £1,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £20,000 at London Metropolitan University: London Metropolitan University is about £850 a year cheaper.

Of the 19 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Birkbeck, University of London is higher in 16 and London Metropolitan University in 1, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £38,000 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, against £25,500 from London Metropolitan University. Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Birkbeck, University of London is higher in 12 and London Metropolitan University in 6, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#354
QS World
#1001
#301
THE World
#601
—
Guardian UK
#100
1823
Established
1848
No
Russell Group
No
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

London Metropolitan University

85.1%
85.5%

Satisfaction

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

£32,500
£26,900

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.6%
75.5%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

12%
22.8%

International

International student share

361
291

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

16
15

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

London Metropolitan

59 countries · 22.8% international

  • 🇮🇳India36.6%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan18.8%
  • 🌐Nepal11.1%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh8.2%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka2.6%

Subjects

33 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

London Metropolitan University

Also taught at both: Mathematics, Creative Writing, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Finance & Actuarial Science, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Applied Psychology, Drama & Theatre, Information Systems & Data Science, Teacher Training, Planning & Housing, Human Resource Management, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Software Engineering, Biology, Computing & IT.

Only at Birkbeck, University of London

Only at London Metropolitan 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
London Metropolitan University
£19,500

Birkbeck, University of London is about £1,000 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Birkbeck, University of London
£20,850
London Metropolitan University
£20,000

London Metropolitan University is about £850 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

London Metropolitan University

  • Law

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

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£22,000
    88%Satisfaction95%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£22,000
    86%Satisfaction61%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    76%Satisfaction91%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    96%Satisfaction83%

  • Computer Science

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    72%Satisfaction72%

  • Ancient Languages

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    85%Satisfaction69%

  • Psychology (General)

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
    84%Satisfaction83%

  • Economics

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    88%Satisfaction80%

  • Marketing

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    75%Satisfaction75%

  • Accounting

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    75%Satisfaction78%

  • Business Studies

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    98%Satisfaction82%

Showing the 12 largest of 20 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 →

London Metropolitan University

London Met Sanctuary Scholarship

£13,762

Deadline: Jun 2026

The Vice Chancellor's Postgraduate (PGR) Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

The Vice Chancellor's Postgraduate (PGR) Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

The Vice Chancellor's Postgraduate (PGR) Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Childcare Grant

85%

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

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

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £19,500 at London Metropolitan University: Birkbeck, University of London is about £1,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £20,000 at London Metropolitan University: London Metropolitan University is about £850 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 London Metropolitan University?

Both universities teach 33 subject areas: Law, Sociology & Criminology, Design & Fashion, Media & Film Studies, Business & Management (General), Politics & International Relations, Computer Science, Ancient Languages, Management, Psychology (General), Economics, Marketing and 21 more.

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

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

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

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

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

Birkbeck, University of London teaches 36 subject areas that London Metropolitan University does not, including History, Physical Geography & Climate, History of Art & Design, Philosophy, Classical Studies, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Social Sciences (General), Archaeology and 28 more.

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

London Metropolitan University teaches 28 subject areas that Birkbeck, University of London does not, including Building & Construction, Film Production & Cinematography, Architecture, Biomedical Sciences, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Nutrition & Dietetics, Education Studies, Health & Social Care and 20 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
London Metropolitan University291 courses · 15 scholarshipsBrowse Courses