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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

R
Royal Holloway, University of London

Egham · QS World #485

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.

5/10

Birkbeck

scored higher in 5 categories

VS

5/10

Royal Holloway

scored higher in 5 categories

Quick Verdict

Birkbeck, University of London and Royal Holloway, University of London are evenly matched: each leads in 5 of 10 categories where both have data. Birkbeck, University of London is ahead on ranking, established, employment, courses; Royal Holloway, University of London on TEF, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, scholarship.

Birkbeck, University of London vs Royal Holloway, University of London at a glance

Birkbeck, University of London and Royal Holloway, University of London both teach 43 subject areas, the largest being Law, Politics & International Relations and Sociology & Criminology. Birkbeck, University of London offers 361 courses across 69 subject areas; Royal Holloway, University of London offers 351 courses across 60 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £26,800 at Royal Holloway, University of London: Birkbeck, University of London is about £8,300 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £26,400 at Royal Holloway, University of London: Birkbeck, University of London is about £5,550 a year cheaper.

Of the 23 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Royal Holloway, University of London is higher in 14 and Birkbeck, University of London in 8, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Economics: £23,000 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, against £30,000 from Royal Holloway, University of London. Of the 25 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Birkbeck, University of London is higher in 15 and Royal Holloway, University of London in 10.

World & National Rankings

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

#354
QS World
#485
#301
THE World
#401
—
Guardian UK
#45
1823
Established
1879
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

Royal Holloway, University of London

85.1%
85.7%

Satisfaction

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

£32,500
£36,152.9

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.6%
78.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

12%
16.7%

International

International student share

361
351

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

16
32

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

Royal Holloway

79 countries · 16.7% international

  • 🇮🇳India17.8%
  • 🇨🇳China8.2%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan8.2%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5%
  • 🇺🇸United States4.8%

Subjects

43 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

Royal Holloway, University of London

Also taught at both: Drama & Theatre, English Literature, German & Scandinavian Studies, Philosophy, Psychology (General), Accounting, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Creative Writing, Marketing, Finance & Actuarial Science, Liberal Arts, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Business Studies, Applied Psychology, Archaeology, Human Geography & Environment, Social Sciences (General), Biology, Computing & IT, English Studies, French, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Genetics & Genomics, Human Resource Management, Biological Sciences (General), Clinical & Health Psychology, Social Policy & Public Policy.

Only at Birkbeck, University of London

Only at Royal Holloway, University of London

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 Holloway, University of London
£26,800

Birkbeck, University of London is about £8,300 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Birkbeck, University of London
£20,850
Royal Holloway, University of London
£26,400

Birkbeck, University of London is about £5,550 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

Royal Holloway, University of London

  • Law

    £22,500Salary (3 years)No data
    94%Satisfaction84%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    96%Satisfaction88%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    88%Satisfaction84%

  • Computer Science

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£41,000
    72%Satisfaction83%

  • Economics

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    88%Satisfaction84%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    95%Satisfaction94%

  • Mathematics

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    94%Satisfaction83%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    86%Satisfaction82%

  • Geology & Earth Sciences

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    93%Satisfaction91%

  • Biochemistry

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    91%Satisfaction89%

  • Ancient Languages

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    85%Satisfaction88%

  • Physical Geography & Climate

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    84%Satisfaction93%

Showing the 12 largest of 25 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 →

Royal Holloway, University of London

International Partners Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Katayoon Behboodi Scholarship 2026

See details

Deadline: N/A

Mary Anning Scholarship 2026

See details

Deadline: N/A

Barbara Raw Scholarships for English

See details

Deadline: N/A

Barbara Raw for English Access Scholarship 2026

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Birkbeck, University of London vs Royal Holloway, University of London: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £26,800 at Royal Holloway, University of London: Birkbeck, University of London is about £8,300 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £26,400 at Royal Holloway, University of London: Birkbeck, University of London is about £5,550 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 Royal Holloway, University of London?

Both universities teach 43 subject areas: Law, Politics & International Relations, Sociology & Criminology, Computer Science, Economics, History, Business & Management (General), Management, Mathematics, Media & Film Studies, Geology & Earth Sciences, Biochemistry and 31 more.

Is Birkbeck, University of London or Royal Holloway, University of London better for Politics & International Relations?

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £23,000 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, and £27,500 from Royal Holloway, University of London. Student satisfaction with teaching is 96% at Birkbeck, University of London and 88% at Royal Holloway, University of London. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Birkbeck, University of London or Royal Holloway, University of London offer more courses?

Birkbeck, University of London lists 361 courses on CourseOptions and Royal Holloway, University of London lists 351 courses.

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

Birkbeck, University of London teaches 26 subject areas that Royal Holloway, University of London does not, including History of Art & Design, Journalism, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Asian Languages & Studies, Healthcare Science, Information & Library Studies, Linguistics and 18 more.

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

Royal Holloway, University of London teaches 17 subject areas that Birkbeck, University of London does not, including Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Music, Physics, Ecology & Conservation, Geography (General), Social Work, Zoology & Animal Biology, Biomedical Sciences and 9 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
R
Royal Holloway, University of London351 courses · 32 scholarshipsBrowse Courses