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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

M
Manchester Metropolitan University

Manchester · QS World #600

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.

6/10

Birkbeck

scored higher in 6 categories

VS

4/10

Manchester Metropolitan

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

Birkbeck, University of London leads in 6 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, established, international, graduate salary, scholarship). Manchester Metropolitan University is ahead on TEF, satisfaction, employment, courses.

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

Birkbeck, University of London and Manchester Metropolitan University both teach 45 subject areas, the largest being Design & Fashion, Law and Sociology & Criminology. Birkbeck, University of London offers 361 courses across 69 subject areas; Manchester Metropolitan University offers 393 courses across 78 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £21,500 at Manchester Metropolitan University: Birkbeck, University of London is about £3,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £21,000 at Manchester Metropolitan University, so the two cost about the same.

Of the 28 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Birkbeck, University of London is higher in 27 and Manchester Metropolitan University in 1. The widest gap is in Creative Writing: £31,500 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, against £18,500 from Manchester Metropolitan University. Of the 28 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Manchester Metropolitan University is higher in 14 and Birkbeck, University of London in 10, with 4 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#354
QS World
#600
#301
THE World
#601
—
Guardian UK
#62
1823
Established
1970
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

Manchester Metropolitan University

85.1%
87.7%

Satisfaction

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

£32,500
£28,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.6%
84.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

12%
9.3%

International

International student share

361
393

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

16
3

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

Manchester Metropolitan

90 countries · 9.3% international

  • 🇮🇳India21.7%
  • 🇨🇳China10.8%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan7.1%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria7%
  • 🌐Kuwait5.8%

Subjects

45 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

Manchester Metropolitan University

Also taught at both: Accounting, Ancient Languages, Chemistry, History of Art & Design, Management, Mathematics, Philosophy, Creative Writing, Journalism, Linguistics, Marketing, Biology, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Finance & Actuarial Science, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Drama & Theatre, French, Information & Library Studies, Social Sciences (General), Spanish & Portuguese, Business Information Systems, Human Geography & Environment, Software Engineering, Applied Psychology, Environmental Sciences, Human Resource Management, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Biological Sciences (General), Clinical & Health Psychology, Microbiology & Cell Biology.

Only at Birkbeck, University of London

Only at Manchester 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
Manchester Metropolitan University
£21,500

Birkbeck, University of London is about £3,000 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Birkbeck, University of London
£20,850
Manchester Metropolitan University
£21,000

About the same.

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

Manchester Metropolitan University

  • Law

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    94%Satisfaction92%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    88%Satisfaction90%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    76%Satisfaction88%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    96%Satisfaction88%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£19,500
    86%Satisfaction91%

  • Business Studies

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    98%Satisfaction85%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    95%Satisfaction87%

  • Psychology (General)

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    84%Satisfaction88%

  • English Studies

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£20,000
    94%Satisfaction92%

  • Computer Science

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    72%Satisfaction84%

  • Economics

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    88%Satisfaction79%

  • Physical Geography & Climate

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    84%Satisfaction88%

Showing the 12 largest of 29 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 →

Manchester Metropolitan University

Allan and Nesta Ferguson Charitable Trust Scholarships

100%

Deadline: May 2026

Doctoral Landscape Awards

100%

Deadline: N/A

Fulbright Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

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

Is Birkbeck, University of London or Manchester 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 £21,500 at Manchester Metropolitan University: Birkbeck, University of London is about £3,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £21,000 at Manchester Metropolitan University, so the two cost about the same. 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 Manchester Metropolitan University?

Both universities teach 45 subject areas: Design & Fashion, Law, Sociology & Criminology, Business & Management (General), Politics & International Relations, Media & Film Studies, Business Studies, History, Psychology (General), English Studies, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Teacher Training and 33 more.

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

Law graduates earn a median £22,500 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, and £19,500 from Manchester Metropolitan University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 94% at Birkbeck, University of London and 92% at Manchester Metropolitan University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

Manchester Metropolitan University lists 393 courses on CourseOptions and Birkbeck, University of London lists 361 courses.

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

Birkbeck, University of London teaches 24 subject areas that Manchester Metropolitan University does not, including Biochemistry, Classical Studies, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Archaeology, Asian Languages & Studies, Astronomy & Astrophysics, English Literature, Geology & Earth Sciences and 16 more.

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

Manchester Metropolitan University teaches 33 subject areas that Birkbeck, University of London does not, including Sport & Exercise Sciences, Education Studies, Film Production & Cinematography, Games Design & Computer Animation, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Anatomy & Pathology, Biomedical Sciences, Architecture and 25 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
M
Manchester Metropolitan University393 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses