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

U
UCL (University College London)

Camden · QS World #8

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 11 datapoints

We looked at 11 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

1/11

Birkbeck

scored higher in 1 category

VS

10/11

UCL (University College London)

scored higher in 10 categories

Quick Verdict

UCL (University College London) leads in 10 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, TEF, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Birkbeck, University of London is ahead on established.

Birkbeck, University of London vs UCL (University College London) at a glance

Birkbeck, University of London and UCL (University College London) both teach 53 subject areas, the largest being German & Scandinavian Studies, Ancient Languages and Sociology & Criminology. Birkbeck, University of London offers 361 courses across 69 subject areas; UCL (University College London) offers 1,131 courses across 109 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £29,800 at UCL (University College London): Birkbeck, University of London is about £11,300 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £34,700 at UCL (University College London): Birkbeck, University of London is about £13,850 a year cheaper.

Of the 23 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, UCL (University College London) is higher in 22 and Birkbeck, University of London in 1. The widest gap is in Economics: £23,000 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, against £45,000 from UCL (University College London). Of the 25 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Birkbeck, University of London is higher in 14 and UCL (University College London) in 10, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#354
QS World
#8
#301
THE World
#22
—
Guardian UK
#9
1823
Established
1826
No
Russell Group
Yes
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

UCL (University College London)

85.1%
86.5%

Satisfaction

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

£32,500
£46,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.6%
80.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

12%
51.9%

International

International student share

361
1131

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

16
18

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

UCL (University College London)

127 countries · 51.9% international

  • 🇨🇳China53.3%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.9%
  • 🇺🇸United States4.2%
  • 🇮🇳India3.4%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore2.4%

Subjects

53 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

UCL (University College London)

Also taught at both: Philosophy, Planning & Housing, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Physical Geography & Climate, Archaeology, Linguistics, Biochemistry, Design & Fashion, Human Geography & Environment, Chemistry, History of Art & Design, Spanish & Portuguese, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Finance & Actuarial Science, Statistics, Accounting, Classical Studies, Social Sciences (General), Creative Writing, Healthcare Science, Social Policy & Public Policy, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Information & Library Studies, Biology, Business Studies, English Studies, Software Engineering, Computing & IT, Genetics & Genomics, English Literature, International Development, Marketing, Biological Sciences (General), Information Systems & Data Science, Clinical & Health Psychology, Heritage & Conservation, Humanities.

Only at Birkbeck, University of London

Only at UCL (University College 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
UCL (University College London)
£29,800

Birkbeck, University of London is about £11,300 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Birkbeck, University of London
£20,850
UCL (University College London)
£34,700

Birkbeck, University of London is about £13,850 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

UCL (University College London)

  • Ancient Languages

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    85%Satisfaction92%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    88%Satisfaction87%

  • Psychology (General)

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    84%Satisfaction90%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£38,000
    76%Satisfaction93%

  • Computer Science

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£51,000
    72%Satisfaction80%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    96%Satisfaction87%

  • Mathematics

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£41,000
    94%Satisfaction87%

  • Economics

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£45,000
    88%Satisfaction79%

  • Law

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£41,000
    94%Satisfaction92%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    95%Satisfaction91%

  • Geology & Earth Sciences

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    93%Satisfaction88%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)No data
    86%Satisfaction73%

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 →

UCL (University College London)

Commercial Bar Opportunity Scholarship

£25,000

Deadline: N/A

AHRC Doctoral Landscape Award

100%

Deadline: N/A

UCL Department of Arts and Sciences (UASc) Interdisciplinary Excellence PhD Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Law Society Pro Bono Bursary

£250

Deadline: N/A

Alonso Gurmendi Dunkelberg, UCL Graduate Research Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Birkbeck, University of London vs UCL (University College London): common questions

Is Birkbeck, University of London or UCL (University College London) cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £29,800 at UCL (University College London): Birkbeck, University of London is about £11,300 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £34,700 at UCL (University College London): Birkbeck, University of London is about £13,850 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 UCL (University College London)?

Both universities teach 53 subject areas: German & Scandinavian Studies, Ancient Languages, Sociology & Criminology, Psychology (General), Business & Management (General), Computer Science, Politics & International Relations, Mathematics, Economics, Law, History, Management and 41 more.

Is Birkbeck, University of London or UCL (University College London) better for Ancient Languages?

Ancient Languages graduates earn a median £30,500 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, and £31,000 from UCL (University College London). Student satisfaction with teaching is 85% at Birkbeck, University of London and 92% at UCL (University College London). Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Birkbeck, University of London or UCL (University College London) offer more courses?

UCL (University College London) lists 1,131 courses on CourseOptions and Birkbeck, University of London lists 361 courses.

What can you study at Birkbeck, University of London but not at UCL (University College London)?

Birkbeck, University of London teaches 16 subject areas that UCL (University College London) does not, including Counselling & Psychotherapy, Journalism, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Asian Languages & Studies, Drama & Theatre, Liberal Arts, Applied Psychology and 8 more.

What can you study at UCL (University College London) but not at Birkbeck, University of London?

UCL (University College London) teaches 56 subject areas that Birkbeck, University of London does not, including Eastern European Languages, Childhood & Youth Studies, Biomedical Sciences, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Italian, Physics and 48 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
U
UCL (University College London)1,131 courses · 18 scholarshipsBrowse Courses