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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 South Bank University

London · QS World #901

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 9 datapoints

We looked at 9 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

5/9

Birkbeck

scored higher in 5 categories

VS

4/9

London South Bank

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

Birkbeck, University of London leads in 5 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, established, courses, scholarship). London South Bank University is ahead on TEF, employment, international, graduate salary.

Birkbeck, University of London vs London South Bank University at a glance

Birkbeck, University of London and London South Bank University both teach 21 subject areas, the largest being Law, Sociology & Criminology and Business & Management (General). Birkbeck, University of London offers 361 courses across 69 subject areas; London South Bank University offers 240 courses across 55 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £17,400 at London South Bank University: London South Bank University is about £1,100 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £18,900 at London South Bank University: London South Bank University is about £1,950 a year cheaper.

Of the 10 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Birkbeck, University of London is higher in 8 and London South Bank University in 1, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £38,000 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, against £28,000 from London South Bank University. Of the 13 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, London South Bank University is higher in 9 and Birkbeck, University of London in 3, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#354
QS World
#901
#301
THE World
#601
—
Guardian UK
#78
1823
Established
1892
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 South Bank University

85.1%
85.1%

Satisfaction

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

£32,500
£33,900

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.6%
82.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

12%
15.6%

International

International student share

361
240

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

London South Bank

60 countries · 15.6% international

  • 🇵🇰Pakistan26.1%
  • 🇮🇳India19.1%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh18.1%
  • 🌐Nepal4.9%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria3.3%

Subjects

21 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 South Bank University

Also taught at both: Planning & Housing, Design & Fashion, Drama & Theatre, Applied Psychology, Chemistry, Computing & IT.

Only at Birkbeck, University of London

Only at London South Bank 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 South Bank University
£17,400

London South Bank University is about £1,100 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Birkbeck, University of London
£20,850
London South Bank University
£18,900

London South Bank 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

London South Bank University

  • Law

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    94%Satisfaction89%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£21,500
    88%Satisfaction89%

  • Computer Science

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    72%Satisfaction90%

  • Business Studies

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    98%Satisfaction93%

  • Economics

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    88%Satisfaction91%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)No data
    86%Satisfaction87%

  • Accounting

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

  • Counselling & Psychotherapy

    No dataSalary (3 years)£31,500
    90%Satisfaction71%

  • Psychology (General)

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£21,500
    84%Satisfaction84%

  • Marketing

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    75%Satisfaction77%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    78%Satisfaction86%

  • Drama & Theatre

    No dataSalary (3 years)£19,500
    75%Satisfaction94%

Showing the 12 largest of 13 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 South Bank University

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Birkbeck, University of London vs London South Bank University: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £17,400 at London South Bank University: London South Bank University is about £1,100 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £18,900 at London South Bank University: London South Bank 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 London South Bank University?

Both universities teach 21 subject areas: Law, Sociology & Criminology, Business & Management (General), Computer Science, Business Studies, Economics, Media & Film Studies, Accounting, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Psychology (General), Management, Marketing and 9 more.

Is Birkbeck, University of London or London South Bank 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 South Bank University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 94% at Birkbeck, University of London and 89% at London South Bank University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Birkbeck, University of London or London South Bank University offer more courses?

Birkbeck, University of London lists 361 courses on CourseOptions and London South Bank University lists 240 courses.

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

Birkbeck, University of London teaches 48 subject areas that London South Bank University does not, including Politics & International Relations, History, Physical Geography & Climate, Ancient Languages, History of Art & Design, Creative Writing, Biochemistry, Journalism and 40 more.

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

London South Bank University teaches 34 subject areas that Birkbeck, University of London does not, including Building & Construction, Children's Nursing, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Mechanical Engineering, Mental Health Nursing, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Adult Nursing, Architecture and 26 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 South Bank University240 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses