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.
London · QS World #354
Kensington and Chelsea
Head-to-Head Summary
Based on 2 datapoints
We looked at 2 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.
2/2
Birkbeck
scored higher in 2 categories
0/2
Royal College of Art
scored higher in 0 categories
Quick Verdict
Birkbeck, University of London leads in 2 of 2 categories where both have data (courses, scholarship). Royal College of Art does not lead in any category where both have data.
Birkbeck, University of London vs Royal College of Art at a glance
Birkbeck, University of London and Royal College of Art have no subject area in common. Birkbeck, University of London's largest is Sociology & Criminology; Royal College of Art's is Film Production & Cinematography.
For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £15,600 at Royal College of Art: Royal College of Art is about £5,250 a year cheaper.
World & National Rankings
Compare world and national league table positions, TEF ratings, and Russell Group membership.
Visual Breakdown
Key metrics at a glance
Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.
Birkbeck, University of London
Royal College of Art
Satisfaction
Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)
Graduate Salaries (5y)
Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation
Employment
Graduate employment rate
International
International student share
Course Counts
Number of courses offered
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%
Royal College of Art
No published data on international students
Subjects
No subjects in common
Birkbeck, University of London and Royal College of Art do not teach any of the same subject areas.
Only at Birkbeck, University of London
Only at Royal College of Art
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
- Royal College of Art
- No data
We do not have reliable international fee data for Royal College of Art yet.
Postgraduate
- Birkbeck, University of London
- £20,850
- Royal College of Art
- £15,600
Royal College of Art is about £5,250 a year cheaper.
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveBirkbeck, 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
Royal College of Art
Creative and Caring (CCC) Fully Funded Doctoral Landscape Studentship
100%
Deadline: N/A
Fully Funded Doctoral Landscape Award: Net Zero Futures
100%
Deadline: N/A
FAQ
Birkbeck, University of London vs Royal College of Art: common questions
Is Birkbeck, University of London or Royal College of Art cheaper for international students?
For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £15,600 at Royal College of Art: Royal College of Art is about £5,250 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.
Does Birkbeck, University of London or Royal College of Art offer more courses?
Birkbeck, University of London lists 361 courses on CourseOptions and Royal College of Art lists 50 courses.
What can you study at Birkbeck, University of London but not at Royal College of Art?
Birkbeck, University of London teaches 69 subject areas that Royal College of Art does not, including Sociology & Criminology, Law, Business & Management (General), Politics & International Relations, Media & Film Studies, History, Physical Geography & Climate, Ancient Languages and 61 more.
What can you study at Royal College of Art but not at Birkbeck, University of London?
Royal College of Art teaches 1 subject area that Birkbeck, University of London does not, including Film Production & Cinematography.
Ready to explore courses?
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