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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

T
The University of Edinburgh

Edinburgh · QS World #35

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.

0/10

Birkbeck

scored higher in 0 categories

VS

10/10

Edinburgh

scored higher in 10 categories

Quick Verdict

The University of Edinburgh leads in 10 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Birkbeck, University of London does not lead in any category where both have data.

Birkbeck, University of London vs The University of Edinburgh at a glance

Birkbeck, University of London and The University of Edinburgh both teach 59 subject areas, the largest being Law, Computer Science and History. Birkbeck, University of London offers 361 courses across 69 subject areas; The University of Edinburgh offers 936 courses across 116 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £29,600 at The University of Edinburgh: Birkbeck, University of London is about £11,100 a year cheaper.

Of the 23 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, The University of Edinburgh is higher in 15 and Birkbeck, University of London in 5, with 3 about level. The widest gap is in Economics: £23,000 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, against £38,000 from The University of Edinburgh. Of the 24 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Birkbeck, University of London is higher in 17 and The University of Edinburgh in 7.

World & National Rankings

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

#354
QS World
#35
#301
THE World
#29
—
Guardian UK
#17
1823
Established
1583
No
Russell Group
Yes
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

The University of Edinburgh

85.1%
85.3%

Satisfaction

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

£32,500
£37,600

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.6%
83%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

12%
41.6%

International

International student share

361
936

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

16
112

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

Edinburgh

122 countries · 41.6% international

  • 🇨🇳China44.5%
  • 🇺🇸United States9.3%
  • 🇮🇳India5.4%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia2.7%
  • 🇨🇦Canada2.4%

Subjects

59 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

The University of Edinburgh

Also taught at both: Psychology (General), French, Asian Languages & Studies, Spanish & Portuguese, Ancient Languages, Biological Sciences (General), Physical Geography & Climate, English Literature, Geology & Earth Sciences, Design & Fashion, Linguistics, Genetics & Genomics, Management, Social Policy & Public Policy, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Chemistry, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Social Sciences (General), Accounting, Archaeology, Biochemistry, Creative Writing, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Human Geography & Environment, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Finance & Actuarial Science, International Development, Environmental Sciences, Applied Psychology, Information Systems & Data Science, Statistics, Drama & Theatre, Healthcare Science, Liberal Arts, Marketing, Clinical & Health Psychology, Computing & IT, Developmental & Educational Psychology, GIS & Remote Sensing, Humanities, Personal & Professional Development, Biology, Heritage & Conservation, Software Engineering.

Only at Birkbeck, University of London

Only at The University of Edinburgh

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
The University of Edinburgh
£29,600

Birkbeck, University of London is about £11,100 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Birkbeck, University of London
£20,850
The University of Edinburgh
No data

We do not have reliable international fee data for The University of Edinburgh yet.

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

The University of Edinburgh

  • Law

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    94%Satisfaction86%

  • Computer Science

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£37,000
    72%Satisfaction74%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    95%Satisfaction88%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    88%Satisfaction82%

  • Mathematics

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    94%Satisfaction81%

  • Business Studies

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    98%Satisfaction80%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    96%Satisfaction87%

  • History of Art & Design

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    89%Satisfaction90%

  • Philosophy

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    91%Satisfaction88%

  • Classical Studies

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    98%Satisfaction92%

  • Economics

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£38,000
    88%Satisfaction81%

  • Psychology (General)

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    84%Satisfaction83%

Showing the 12 largest of 24 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 →

The University of Edinburgh

Asylum Seeker Scholarship

£21,000

Deadline: N/A

Education Beyond Borders postgraduate scholarship

£20,780

Deadline: N/A

Cameron Law Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Online Learning Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Rosedale OSSD University of Edinburgh Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Birkbeck, University of London vs The University of Edinburgh: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £29,600 at The University of Edinburgh: Birkbeck, University of London is about £11,100 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 The University of Edinburgh?

Both universities teach 59 subject areas: Law, Computer Science, History, Sociology & Criminology, German & Scandinavian Studies, Mathematics, Business Studies, Teacher Training, Politics & International Relations, History of Art & Design, Philosophy, Media & Film Studies and 47 more.

Is Birkbeck, University of London or The University of Edinburgh better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £22,500 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, and £26,500 from The University of Edinburgh. Student satisfaction with teaching is 94% at Birkbeck, University of London and 86% at The University of Edinburgh. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Birkbeck, University of London or The University of Edinburgh offer more courses?

The University of Edinburgh lists 936 courses on CourseOptions and Birkbeck, University of London lists 361 courses.

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

Birkbeck, University of London teaches 10 subject areas that The University of Edinburgh does not, including Journalism, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Information & Library Studies, English Studies, Business Information Systems, Food & Beverage Studies, Natural Sciences and 2 more.

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

The University of Edinburgh teaches 57 subject areas that Birkbeck, University of London does not, including Theology & Religious Studies, Medicine, Physics, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Veterinary Medicine, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Eastern European Languages, Ecology & Conservation and 49 more.

Ready to explore courses?

Browse available courses, check entry requirements, and find scholarships at each university.

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Birkbeck, University of London361 courses · 16 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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The University of Edinburgh936 courses · 112 scholarshipsBrowse Courses