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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

N
Northumbria University, Newcastle

Newcastle upon Tyne · QS World #528

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

Northumbria

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

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

Birkbeck, University of London vs Northumbria University, Newcastle at a glance

Birkbeck, University of London and Northumbria University, Newcastle both teach 40 subject areas, the largest being Business Studies, Law and Computer Science. Birkbeck, University of London offers 361 courses across 69 subject areas; Northumbria University, Newcastle offers 305 courses across 71 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £19,850 at Northumbria University, Newcastle: Birkbeck, University of London is about £1,350 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £19,850 at Northumbria University, Newcastle: Northumbria University, Newcastle is about £1,000 a year cheaper.

Of the 21 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Birkbeck, University of London is higher in 19 and Northumbria University, Newcastle in 0, 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 Northumbria University, Newcastle. Of the 23 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Northumbria University, Newcastle is higher in 12 and Birkbeck, University of London in 9, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#354
QS World
#528
#301
THE World
#401
—
Guardian UK
#53
1823
Established
1969
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

Northumbria University, Newcastle

85.1%
83.5%

Satisfaction

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

£32,500
£31,000

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.6%
86.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

12%
24.5%

International

International student share

361
305

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

16
7

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

Northumbria

85 countries · 24.5% international

  • 🇮🇳India35.3%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria16.3%
  • 🌐Kuwait4%
  • 🇨🇳China3.8%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka3.8%

Subjects

40 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

Northumbria University, Newcastle

Also taught at both: Counselling & Psychotherapy, Marketing, Biochemistry, Creative Writing, Finance & Actuarial Science, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Applied Psychology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Chemistry, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Drama & Theatre, English Studies, Teacher Training, Environmental Sciences, Healthcare Science, Linguistics, Personal & Professional Development, Human Geography & Environment, Biology, Clinical & Health Psychology, Computing & IT, Heritage & Conservation, Human Resource Management, Microbiology & Cell Biology.

Only at Birkbeck, University of London

Only at Northumbria University, Newcastle

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
Northumbria University, Newcastle
£19,850

Birkbeck, University of London is about £1,350 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Birkbeck, University of London
£20,850
Northumbria University, Newcastle
£19,850

Northumbria University, Newcastle is about £1,000 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

Northumbria University, Newcastle

  • Business Studies

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    98%Satisfaction83%

  • Law

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    94%Satisfaction73%

  • Computer Science

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    72%Satisfaction87%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    88%Satisfaction78%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    76%Satisfaction77%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    95%Satisfaction98%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£21,500
    86%Satisfaction89%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    96%Satisfaction92%

  • Physical Geography & Climate

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    84%Satisfaction92%

  • Economics

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    88%Satisfaction70%

  • Psychology (General)

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

  • English Literature

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    98%Satisfaction94%

Showing the 12 largest of 23 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 →

Northumbria University, Newcastle

2025/26 PGT Sanctuary Scholarships

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

2025/26 UG Sanctuary Scholarships

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

Castle Peak Postgraduate Scholarships

See details

Deadline: N/A

GEMS Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Horiba Foundation UK Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Birkbeck, University of London vs Northumbria University, Newcastle: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £19,850 at Northumbria University, Newcastle: Birkbeck, University of London is about £1,350 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £19,850 at Northumbria University, Newcastle: Northumbria University, Newcastle is about £1,000 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 Northumbria University, Newcastle?

Both universities teach 40 subject areas: Business Studies, Law, Computer Science, Sociology & Criminology, Business & Management (General), Design & Fashion, History, Media & Film Studies, Politics & International Relations, Physical Geography & Climate, Economics, Psychology (General) and 28 more.

Is Birkbeck, University of London or Northumbria University, Newcastle better for Business Studies?

Business Studies graduates earn a median £27,000 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, and £26,000 from Northumbria University, Newcastle. Student satisfaction with teaching is 98% at Birkbeck, University of London and 83% at Northumbria University, Newcastle. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Birkbeck, University of London or Northumbria University, Newcastle offer more courses?

Birkbeck, University of London lists 361 courses on CourseOptions and Northumbria University, Newcastle lists 305 courses.

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

Birkbeck, University of London teaches 29 subject areas that Northumbria University, Newcastle does not, including Ancient Languages, History of Art & Design, Management, Journalism, Philosophy, Classical Studies, Social Sciences (General), Archaeology and 21 more.

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

Northumbria University, Newcastle teaches 31 subject areas that Birkbeck, University of London does not, including Sport & Exercise Sciences, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Social Work, Building & Construction, Architecture, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Adult Nursing and 23 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
N
Northumbria University, Newcastle305 courses · 7 scholarshipsBrowse Courses