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.
London · QS World #354
London · QS World #62
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
9/11
London School of Economics and Political Science
scored higher in 9 categories
Quick Verdict
London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London leads in 9 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, TEF, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary, scholarship). Birkbeck, University of London is ahead on established, courses.
Birkbeck, University of London vs London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London at a glance
Birkbeck, University of London and London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London both teach 24 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Sociology & Criminology and Business & Management (General). Birkbeck, University of London offers 361 courses across 69 subject areas; London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London offers 253 courses across 30 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £29,200 at London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London: Birkbeck, University of London is about £10,700 a year cheaper.
Of the 10 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London is higher in 10 and Birkbeck, University of London in 0. The widest gap is in Economics: £23,000 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, against £49,000 from London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London. Of the 10 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London is higher in 6 and Birkbeck, University of London in 4.
World & National Rankings
Compare world and national league table positions, TEF ratings, and Russell Group membership.
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 School of Economics and Political Science, University of London
Satisfaction
Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)
Graduate Salaries (5y)
Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation
Employment
Graduate employment rate
International
International student share
Course Counts
Number of courses offered
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%
London School of Economics and Political Science
108 countries · 63.5% international
- 🇨🇳China24.8%
- 🇺🇸United States8.7%
- 🇮🇳India7.5%
- 🇩🇪Germany4.9%
- 🇸🇬Singapore4.3%
Subjects
24 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 School of Economics and Political Science, University of London
Politics & International Relations
16 coursesTypical fee £18,500 (UG)
39 coursesTypical fee £27,500 (UG)
Sociology & Criminology
20 coursesTypical fee £18,500 (UG)
21 coursesTypical fee £29,200 (UG)
Business & Management (General)
17 coursesTypical fee £18,500 (UG)
18 coursesTypical fee £24,400 (PG)
Media & Film Studies
15 coursesTypical fee £18,500 (UG)
13 coursesTypical fee £24,400 (PG)
History
13 coursesTypical fee £18,500 (UG)
14 coursesTypical fee £27,500 (UG)
Economics
11 coursesTypical fee £18,500 (UG)
13 coursesTypical fee £29,200 (UG)
Law
19 coursesTypical fee £18,500 (UG)
4 coursesTypical fee £34,000 (UG)
Finance & Actuarial Science
5 coursesTypical fee £18,500 (UG)
14 coursesTypical fee £29,200 (UG)
Social Policy & Public Policy
1 courseTypical fee £20,850 (PG)
18 coursesTypical fee £27,500 (UG)
Social Sciences (General)
5 coursesTypical fee £18,500 (UG)
14 coursesFee not available
Human Geography & Environment
2 coursesTypical fee £18,500 (UG)
16 coursesTypical fee £29,200 (UG)
Accounting
Mathematics
Philosophy
Psychology (General)
Also taught at both: Ancient Languages, Management, Statistics, Marketing, Asian Languages & Studies, Planning & Housing, International Development, Computing & IT, Microbiology & Cell Biology.
Only at Birkbeck, University of London
Only at London School of Economics and Political Science, 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
- London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London
- £29,200
Birkbeck, University of London is about £10,700 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Birkbeck, University of London
- £20,850
- London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London
- No data
We do not have reliable international fee data for London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London yet.
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 School of Economics and Political Science, University of London
Politics & International Relations
£23,000Salary (3 years)£36,00096%Satisfaction90%Sociology & Criminology
£23,000Salary (3 years)£31,00088%Satisfaction91%History
£23,500Salary (3 years)£34,00095%Satisfaction90%Economics
£23,000Salary (3 years)£49,00088%Satisfaction90%Law
£22,500Salary (3 years)£40,00094%SatisfactionNo dataFinance & Actuarial Science
£29,500Salary (3 years)£41,50078%Satisfaction86%Human Geography & Environment
£29,500Salary (3 years)£34,50087%Satisfaction91%Accounting
£29,000Salary (3 years)£41,50075%Satisfaction93%Mathematics
£27,000Salary (3 years)£45,50094%Satisfaction84%Philosophy
£23,500Salary (3 years)£43,50091%Satisfaction80%Psychology (General)
£26,000Salary (3 years)No data84%Satisfaction89%
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveBirkbeck, 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
London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London
LSE Access to Education Undergraduate Scholarships
£250,000
Deadline: N/A
Mohammed Al Fahim Scholarship
£33,333
Deadline: N/A
Catherine and Joyce Wood Scholarship
£26,250
Deadline: N/A
LSE ESRC DTP Studentships
£23,805
Deadline: N/A
LSE Excellence Scholarship
£20,000
Deadline: N/A
FAQ
Birkbeck, University of London vs London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London: common questions
Is Birkbeck, University of London or London School of Economics and Political Science, 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 £29,200 at London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London: Birkbeck, University of London is about £10,700 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 School of Economics and Political Science, University of London?
Both universities teach 24 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Sociology & Criminology, Business & Management (General), Media & Film Studies, History, Economics, Law, Finance & Actuarial Science, Social Policy & Public Policy, Social Sciences (General), Human Geography & Environment, Accounting and 12 more.
Is Birkbeck, University of London or London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London better for Politics & International Relations?
Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £23,000 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, and £36,000 from London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London. Student satisfaction with teaching is 96% at Birkbeck, University of London and 90% at London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Birkbeck, University of London or London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London offer more courses?
Birkbeck, University of London lists 361 courses on CourseOptions and London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London lists 253 courses.
What can you study at Birkbeck, University of London but not at London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London?
Birkbeck, University of London teaches 45 subject areas that London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London does not, including Physical Geography & Climate, History of Art & Design, Computer Science, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Creative Writing, Biochemistry, Journalism, Business Studies and 37 more.
What can you study at London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London but not at Birkbeck, University of London?
London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London teaches 6 subject areas that Birkbeck, University of London does not, including Anthropology, Zoology & Animal Biology, Health & Social Care, Cultural Studies, Geography (General) and Health Sciences & Paramedic Science.
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