Skip to main content

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
Loughborough University

Loughborough · QS World #203

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.

1/9

Birkbeck

scored higher in 1 category

VS

8/9

Loughborough

scored higher in 8 categories

Quick Verdict

Loughborough University leads in 8 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, TEF, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Birkbeck, University of London is ahead on established.

Birkbeck, University of London vs Loughborough University at a glance

Birkbeck, University of London and Loughborough University both teach 35 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Politics & International Relations and Sociology & Criminology. Birkbeck, University of London offers 361 courses across 69 subject areas; Loughborough University offers 416 courses across 63 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £29,750 at Loughborough University: Birkbeck, University of London is about £11,250 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £29,500 at Loughborough University: Birkbeck, University of London is about £8,650 a year cheaper.

Of the 17 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Loughborough University is higher in 14 and Birkbeck, University of London in 3. The widest gap is in Economics: £23,000 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, against £37,500 from Loughborough University. Of the 10 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Loughborough University is higher in 6 and Birkbeck, University of London in 2, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#354
QS World
#203
#301
THE World
#301
—
Guardian UK
#11
1823
Established
1909
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

Loughborough University

85.1%
87.6%

Satisfaction

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

£32,500
£41,200

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.6%
84%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

12%
18.4%

International

International student share

361
416

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

16
36

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

Loughborough

90 countries · 18.4% international

  • 🇨🇳China24.7%
  • 🇮🇳India13.2%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.6%
  • 🇦🇪United Arab Emirates3.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria3.4%

Subjects

35 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

Loughborough University

Also taught at both: English Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Accounting, Ancient Languages, Geology & Earth Sciences, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Information & Library Studies, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences (General), Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, English Literature, Human Geography & Environment, Marketing, Planning & Housing, Biology, Personal & Professional Development, Computing & IT, Human Resource Management, Social Policy & Public Policy.

Only at Birkbeck, University of London

Only at Loughborough 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
Loughborough University
£29,750

Birkbeck, University of London is about £11,250 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Birkbeck, University of London
£20,850
Loughborough University
£29,500

Birkbeck, University of London is about £8,650 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

Loughborough University

  • Computer Science

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£40,500
    72%Satisfaction86%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    96%SatisfactionNo data

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    88%Satisfaction88%

  • Mathematics

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    94%Satisfaction85%

  • Physical Geography & Climate

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    84%Satisfaction93%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    86%SatisfactionNo data

  • Economics

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£37,500
    88%Satisfaction88%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    95%SatisfactionNo data

  • Psychology (General)

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    84%Satisfaction85%

  • Business Studies

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£36,000
    98%Satisfaction88%

  • English Studies

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    94%SatisfactionNo data

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£43,000
    78%Satisfaction82%

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 →

Loughborough University

Schlumberger Foundation Faculty for the Future Fellowships

£50,000

Deadline: N/A

Care Leaver's Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Commonwealth Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Global Impact Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Inspiring Success Scholarship

100%

Deadline: Jul 2026

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Birkbeck, University of London vs Loughborough University: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £29,750 at Loughborough University: Birkbeck, University of London is about £11,250 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £29,500 at Loughborough University: Birkbeck, University of London is about £8,650 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 Loughborough University?

Both universities teach 35 subject areas: Computer Science, Politics & International Relations, Sociology & Criminology, Mathematics, Physical Geography & Climate, Media & Film Studies, Business & Management (General), Law, Management, Design & Fashion, Chemistry, Economics and 23 more.

Is Birkbeck, University of London or Loughborough University better for Computer Science?

Computer Science graduates earn a median £38,000 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, and £40,500 from Loughborough University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 72% at Birkbeck, University of London and 86% at Loughborough University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

Loughborough University lists 416 courses on CourseOptions and Birkbeck, University of London lists 361 courses.

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

Birkbeck, University of London teaches 34 subject areas that Loughborough University does not, including History of Art & Design, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Creative Writing, Biochemistry, Journalism, Philosophy, Classical Studies, Archaeology and 26 more.

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

Loughborough University teaches 28 subject areas that Birkbeck, University of London does not, including Physics, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Civil Engineering, Materials Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, General Engineering 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
Loughborough University416 courses · 36 scholarshipsBrowse Courses