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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

O
Open University

None · THE World #801

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.

7/9

Birkbeck

scored higher in 7 categories

VS

2/9

Open

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

Birkbeck, University of London leads in 7 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, established, employment, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Open University is ahead on TEF, satisfaction.

Birkbeck, University of London vs Open University at a glance

Birkbeck, University of London and Open University both teach 45 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Law and Sociology & Criminology. Birkbeck, University of London offers 361 courses across 69 subject areas; Open University offers 337 courses across 68 subject areas.

Of the 23 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Birkbeck, University of London is higher in 14 and Open University in 8, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Economics: £23,000 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, against £33,500 from Open University. Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Open University is higher in 13 and Birkbeck, University of London in 6, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#354
QS World
—
#301
THE World
#801
—
Guardian UK
—
1823
Established
1969
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

Open University

85.1%
89.8%

Satisfaction

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

£32,500
£29,900

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.6%
72.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

12%
0.2%

International

International student share

361
337

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

Open

25 countries · 0.2% international

  • 🇩🇪Germany8.9%
  • 🌐Cyprus (European Union)6.7%
  • 🇫🇷France6.7%
  • 🇨🇳China4.4%
  • 🇮🇳India4.4%

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

Open University

Also taught at both: Philosophy, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Creative Writing, Social Sciences (General), Classical Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Computing & IT, English Literature, Environmental Sciences, Human Geography & Environment, Linguistics, International Development, Statistics, Teacher Training, Chemistry, Geology & Earth Sciences, Information & Library Studies, Natural Sciences, Software Engineering, Applied Psychology, Biology, Design & Fashion, English Studies, Human Resource Management, Information Systems & Data Science, French, Personal & Professional Development, German & Scandinavian Studies, Social Policy & Public Policy.

Only at Birkbeck, University of London

Only at Open 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
Open University
No data

We do not have reliable international fee data for Open University yet.

Postgraduate

Birkbeck, University of London
£20,850
Open University
No data

We do not have reliable international fee data for Open University 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

Open University

  • Business & Management (General)

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    76%Satisfaction95%

  • Law

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    94%Satisfaction96%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£17,000
    88%Satisfaction89%

  • Computer Science

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    72%Satisfaction91%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    95%Satisfaction93%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    96%Satisfaction92%

  • Psychology (General)

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    84%Satisfaction88%

  • Mathematics

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    94%Satisfaction93%

  • Physical Geography & Climate

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    84%Satisfaction92%

  • Economics

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    88%Satisfaction89%

  • Ancient Languages

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    85%Satisfaction93%

  • History of Art & Design

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    89%Satisfaction92%

Showing the 12 largest of 24 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 →

Open University

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Birkbeck, University of London vs Open University: common questions

What subjects can you study at both Birkbeck, University of London and Open University?

Both universities teach 45 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Law, Sociology & Criminology, Computer Science, History, Politics & International Relations, Psychology (General), Humanities, Mathematics, Physical Geography & Climate, Economics, Ancient Languages and 33 more.

Is Birkbeck, University of London or Open University better for Business & Management (General)?

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £29,500 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, and £32,000 from Open University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 76% at Birkbeck, University of London and 95% at Open University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

Birkbeck, University of London lists 361 courses on CourseOptions and Open University lists 337 courses.

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

Birkbeck, University of London teaches 24 subject areas that Open University does not, including Media & Film Studies, Biochemistry, Journalism, Business Studies, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Archaeology and 16 more.

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

Open University teaches 23 subject areas that Birkbeck, University of London does not, including General Engineering, Education Studies, Childhood & Youth Studies, Social Work, English Language, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Physics, Combined & General Studies and 15 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
O
Open University337 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses