Skip to main content

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

S
Southampton, Solent University

Southampton

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 8 datapoints

We looked at 8 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

4/8

Birkbeck

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

4/8

Southampton

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

Birkbeck, University of London and Southampton, Solent University are evenly matched: each leads in 4 of 8 categories where both have data. Birkbeck, University of London is ahead on established, graduate salary, courses, scholarship; Southampton, Solent University on TEF, satisfaction, employment, international.

Birkbeck, University of London vs Southampton, Solent University at a glance

Birkbeck, University of London and Southampton, Solent University both teach 21 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Design & Fashion and Law. Birkbeck, University of London offers 361 courses across 69 subject areas; Southampton, Solent University offers 294 courses across 42 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £19,080 at Southampton, Solent University: Birkbeck, University of London is about £580 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £18,350 at Southampton, Solent University: Southampton, Solent University is about £2,500 a year cheaper.

Of the 12 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Birkbeck, University of London is higher in 12 and Southampton, Solent University in 0. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £38,000 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, against £25,000 from Southampton, Solent University. Of the 10 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Southampton, Solent University is higher in 8 and Birkbeck, University of London in 1, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#354
QS World
—
#301
THE World
—
—
Guardian UK
—
1823
Established
1855
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

Southampton, Solent University

85.1%
88.2%

Satisfaction

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

£32,500
£28,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.6%
82.5%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

12%
14.9%

International

International student share

361
294

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

16
11

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

Southampton

56 countries · 14.9% international

  • 🇮🇳India39%
  • 🇳🇴Norway6.3%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria4.3%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia4.3%
  • 🌐Morocco2.4%

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

Southampton, Solent University

Also taught at both: Software Engineering, Mathematics, Drama & Theatre, Applied Psychology, Marketing, Information Systems & Data Science.

Only at Birkbeck, University of London

Only at Southampton, Solent 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
Southampton, Solent University
£19,080

Birkbeck, University of London is about £580 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Birkbeck, University of London
£20,850
Southampton, Solent University
£18,350

Southampton, Solent University is about £2,500 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

Southampton, Solent University

  • Business & Management (General)

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    76%Satisfaction87%

  • Law

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£21,500
    94%Satisfaction96%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    88%Satisfaction88%

  • Business Studies

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    98%Satisfaction93%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£19,500
    86%Satisfaction91%

  • Accounting

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    75%SatisfactionNo data

  • Computer Science

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    72%Satisfaction84%

  • Psychology (General)

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    84%Satisfaction89%

  • Social Sciences (General)

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    65%SatisfactionNo data

  • Journalism

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    87%Satisfaction92%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    78%Satisfaction81%

  • Drama & Theatre

    No dataSalary (3 years)£18,500
    75%Satisfaction100%

Showing the 12 largest of 13 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 →

Southampton, Solent University

Solent Postgraduate Taught International Excellence Scholarship

£1,500

Deadline: N/A

Carers Bursary

£1,200

Deadline: Jun 2026

Gypsy, Roma, Traveller, Showman, Boater community bursary

£500

Deadline: Jun 2026

Undergraduate Apprenticeship Bursary

£200

Deadline: Jun 2026

Parents bursary

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Birkbeck, University of London vs Southampton, Solent University: common questions

Is Birkbeck, University of London or Southampton, Solent University cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £19,080 at Southampton, Solent University: Birkbeck, University of London is about £580 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £18,350 at Southampton, Solent University: Southampton, Solent University is about £2,500 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 Southampton, Solent University?

Both universities teach 21 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Design & Fashion, Law, Sociology & Criminology, Business Studies, Media & Film Studies, Accounting, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Computer Science, Politics & International Relations, Management, Psychology (General) and 9 more.

Is Birkbeck, University of London or Southampton, Solent 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 £22,500 from Southampton, Solent University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 76% at Birkbeck, University of London and 87% at Southampton, Solent University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Birkbeck, University of London or Southampton, Solent University offer more courses?

Birkbeck, University of London lists 361 courses on CourseOptions and Southampton, Solent University lists 294 courses.

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

Birkbeck, University of London teaches 48 subject areas that Southampton, Solent University does not, including History, Physical Geography & Climate, Ancient Languages, Economics, History of Art & Design, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Creative Writing, Biochemistry and 40 more.

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

Southampton, Solent University teaches 21 subject areas that Birkbeck, University of London does not, including Sport & Exercise Sciences, Film Production & Cinematography, Music, Building & Construction, Games Design & Computer Animation, Mechanical Engineering, Architecture, Electronic & Electrical Engineering and 13 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
S
Southampton, Solent University294 courses · 11 scholarshipsBrowse Courses