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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

S
Swansea University

Swansea · QS World #322

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

Swansea

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

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

Birkbeck, University of London vs Swansea University at a glance

Birkbeck, University of London and Swansea University both teach 51 subject areas, the largest being Law, Politics & International Relations and Business & Management (General). Birkbeck, University of London offers 361 courses across 69 subject areas; Swansea University offers 916 courses across 97 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £21,550 at Swansea University: Birkbeck, University of London is about £3,050 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £22,950 at Swansea University: Birkbeck, University of London is about £2,100 a year cheaper.

Of the 27 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Birkbeck, University of London is higher in 24 and Swansea University in 2, 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 Swansea University. Of the 27 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Birkbeck, University of London is higher in 16 and Swansea University in 9, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#354
QS World
#322
#301
THE World
#301
—
Guardian UK
#32
1823
Established
1920
No
Russell Group
No
Bronze
TEF Rating
—

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.

Birkbeck, University of London

Swansea University

85.1%
86.1%

Satisfaction

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

£32,500
£31,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.6%
78.5%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

12%
14.1%

International

International student share

361
916

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

16
5

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

Swansea

73 countries · 14.1% international

  • 🇮🇳India25.4%
  • 🇨🇳China12.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria8.2%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia4.5%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong3.9%

Subjects

51 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

Swansea University

Also taught at both: Genetics & Genomics, Accounting, Classical Studies, English Literature, Philosophy, Archaeology, Biology, Chemistry, Human Geography & Environment, Creative Writing, Journalism, English Studies, Linguistics, Management, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Environmental Sciences, Marketing, Social Policy & Public Policy, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Geology & Earth Sciences, Healthcare Science, Information & Library Studies, Social Sciences (General), Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Computing & IT, Human Resource Management, Humanities, Applied Psychology, International Development, Software Engineering, Design & Fashion, Information Systems & Data Science, Biological Sciences (General), Clinical & Health Psychology, Heritage & Conservation, Planning & Housing.

Only at Birkbeck, University of London

Only at Swansea 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
Swansea University
£21,550

Birkbeck, University of London is about £3,050 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Birkbeck, University of London
£20,850
Swansea University
£22,950

Birkbeck, University of London is about £2,100 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

Swansea University

  • Law

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    94%Satisfaction82%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    96%Satisfaction90%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    76%SatisfactionNo data

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    88%Satisfaction87%

  • Computer Science

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£31,500
    72%Satisfaction84%

  • Economics

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    88%Satisfaction90%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£21,500
    95%Satisfaction90%

  • Mathematics

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    94%Satisfaction86%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    86%Satisfaction84%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    78%Satisfaction90%

  • Business Studies

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    98%Satisfaction82%

  • Psychology (General)

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£21,500
    84%Satisfaction84%

Showing the 12 largest of 29 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 →

Swansea University

History and Heritage Studies: AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership Studentship (Fully Funded) in History with Museum Wales (RS950)

100%

Deadline: N/A

History: AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership Studentship (Fully Funded) in History with The National Archives (RS948)

100%

Deadline: N/A

History: AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership Studentship in History with Museum Wales (RS949)

See details

Deadline: N/A

PhD Studentship in Sustainable Fusion Steels: Whole Lifecycle Design of Tokamak Vacuum Vessel Steels (RS964)

See details

Deadline: N/A

Swansea University International Postgraduate Research Excellence Scholarships 2025/26

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Birkbeck, University of London vs Swansea University: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £21,550 at Swansea University: Birkbeck, University of London is about £3,050 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £22,950 at Swansea University: Birkbeck, University of London is about £2,100 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 Swansea University?

Both universities teach 51 subject areas: Law, Politics & International Relations, Business & Management (General), Sociology & Criminology, Computer Science, Economics, History, Mathematics, Media & Film Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Teacher Training, Business Studies and 39 more.

Is Birkbeck, University of London or Swansea University better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £22,500 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, and £21,000 from Swansea University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 94% at Birkbeck, University of London and 82% at Swansea University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

Swansea University lists 916 courses on CourseOptions and Birkbeck, University of London lists 361 courses.

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

Birkbeck, University of London teaches 18 subject areas that Swansea University does not, including Ancient Languages, History of Art & Design, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Asian Languages & Studies, Drama & Theatre, Liberal Arts, GIS & Remote Sensing and 10 more.

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

Swansea University teaches 46 subject areas that Birkbeck, University of London does not, including Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Physics, Civil Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Education Studies, American & Comparative Studies, Chemical Engineering and 38 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
Swansea University916 courses · 5 scholarshipsBrowse Courses