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
London · QS World #458
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.
6/9
Birkbeck
scored higher in 6 categories
3/9
SOAS University of London
scored higher in 3 categories
Quick Verdict
Birkbeck, University of London leads in 6 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, employment, courses). SOAS University of London is ahead on TEF, international, scholarship.
Birkbeck, University of London vs SOAS University of London at a glance
Birkbeck, University of London and SOAS University of London both teach 21 subject areas, the largest being Media & Film Studies, Politics & International Relations and Asian Languages & Studies. Birkbeck, University of London offers 361 courses across 69 subject areas; SOAS University of London offers 296 courses across 29 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £23,780 at SOAS University of London: Birkbeck, University of London is about £5,280 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £25,320 at SOAS University of London: Birkbeck, University of London is about £4,470 a year cheaper.
Of the 12 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, SOAS University of London is higher in 7 and Birkbeck, University of London in 5. The widest gap is in Economics: £23,000 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, against £35,000 from SOAS University of London. Of the 12 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, SOAS University of London is higher in 7 and Birkbeck, University of London in 5.
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
SOAS University of London
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%
SOAS University of London
67 countries · 25.7% international
- 🇨🇳China10.9%
- 🇮🇳India10.6%
- 🇺🇸United States9.4%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan7.6%
- 🇫🇷France3.6%
Subjects
21 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
SOAS University of London
Media & Film Studies
15 coursesTypical fee £18,500 (UG)
41 coursesTypical fee £23,780 (UG)
Politics & International Relations
16 coursesTypical fee £18,500 (UG)
34 coursesTypical fee £23,780 (UG)
Asian Languages & Studies
4 coursesTypical fee £18,500 (UG)
38 coursesTypical fee £23,780 (UG)
Ancient Languages
11 coursesTypical fee £18,500 (UG)
23 coursesTypical fee £23,780 (UG)
Law
19 coursesTypical fee £18,500 (UG)
13 coursesTypical fee £23,780 (UG)
Business & Management (General)
17 coursesTypical fee £18,500 (UG)
8 coursesTypical fee £23,780 (UG)
Sociology & Criminology
20 coursesTypical fee £18,500 (UG)
4 coursesTypical fee £25,320 (PG)
Economics
11 coursesTypical fee £18,500 (UG)
10 coursesTypical fee £23,780 (UG)
History
13 coursesTypical fee £18,500 (UG)
8 coursesTypical fee £23,780 (UG)
History of Art & Design
11 coursesTypical fee £18,500 (UG)
9 coursesTypical fee £23,780 (UG)
Accounting
Management
International Development
Philosophy
Finance & Actuarial Science
Also taught at both: Linguistics, Social Sciences (General), Archaeology, Liberal Arts, Biological Sciences (General), Social Policy & Public Policy.
Only at Birkbeck, 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
- SOAS University of London
- £23,780
Birkbeck, University of London is about £5,280 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Birkbeck, University of London
- £20,850
- SOAS University of London
- £25,320
Birkbeck, University of London is about £4,470 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
SOAS University of London
Politics & International Relations
£23,000Salary (3 years)£31,00096%Satisfaction90%Asian Languages & Studies
£30,500Salary (3 years)£24,50075%Satisfaction86%Ancient Languages
£30,500Salary (3 years)£24,00085%Satisfaction92%Law
£22,500Salary (3 years)£28,00094%Satisfaction77%Business & Management (General)
£29,500Salary (3 years)£27,50076%Satisfaction82%Economics
£23,000Salary (3 years)£35,00088%Satisfaction83%History
£23,500Salary (3 years)£26,50095%Satisfaction89%History of Art & Design
£23,500Salary (3 years)£26,50089%Satisfaction97%Accounting
£29,000Salary (3 years)£27,50075%Satisfaction88%Philosophy
£23,500Salary (3 years)£26,00091%Satisfaction89%Linguistics
£27,000Salary (3 years)£24,00090%Satisfaction98%Social Sciences (General)
£23,000Salary (3 years)£26,50065%Satisfaction89%
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
SOAS University of London
SOAS International Academic Excellence Scholarship
£20,000
Deadline: May 2026
SOAS Sustainable Development Goal Scholarship
£15,000
Deadline: Jun 2026
Commonwealth Shared Scholarships
100%
Deadline: N/A
Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Programme
100%
Deadline: N/A
SOAS Academic Excellence Scholarship
£10,000
Deadline: May 2026
FAQ
Birkbeck, University of London vs SOAS University of London: common questions
Is Birkbeck, University of London or SOAS 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 £23,780 at SOAS University of London: Birkbeck, University of London is about £5,280 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £25,320 at SOAS University of London: Birkbeck, University of London is about £4,470 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 SOAS University of London?
Both universities teach 21 subject areas: Media & Film Studies, Politics & International Relations, Asian Languages & Studies, Ancient Languages, Law, Business & Management (General), Sociology & Criminology, Economics, History, History of Art & Design, Accounting, Management and 9 more.
Is Birkbeck, University of London or SOAS 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 £31,000 from SOAS University of London. Student satisfaction with teaching is 96% at Birkbeck, University of London and 90% at SOAS University of London. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Birkbeck, University of London or SOAS University of London offer more courses?
Birkbeck, University of London lists 361 courses on CourseOptions and SOAS University of London lists 296 courses.
What can you study at Birkbeck, University of London but not at SOAS University of London?
Birkbeck, University of London teaches 48 subject areas that SOAS University of London does not, including Physical Geography & Climate, Computer Science, Psychology (General), Counselling & Psychotherapy, Creative Writing, Biochemistry, Journalism, Mathematics and 40 more.
What can you study at SOAS University of London but not at Birkbeck, University of London?
SOAS University of London teaches 8 subject areas that Birkbeck, University of London does not, including African & Middle Eastern Studies, Anthropology, Creative Arts (General), Music, Theology & Religious Studies, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering and Cultural Studies.
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