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
Birmingham
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.
5/8
Birkbeck
scored higher in 5 categories
3/8
University College Birmingham
scored higher in 3 categories
Quick Verdict
Birkbeck, University of London leads in 5 of 8 categories where both have data (established, employment, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University College Birmingham is ahead on TEF, satisfaction, international.
Birkbeck, University of London vs University College Birmingham at a glance
Birkbeck, University of London and University College Birmingham both teach 17 subject areas, the largest being Sociology & Criminology, Business & Management (General) and Hospitality, Events & Tourism. Birkbeck, University of London offers 361 courses across 69 subject areas; University College Birmingham offers 115 courses across 36 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £13,500 at University College Birmingham: University College Birmingham is about £5,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £17,000 at University College Birmingham: University College Birmingham is about £3,850 a year cheaper.
Of the 4 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Birkbeck, University of London is higher in 4 and University College Birmingham in 0. The widest gap is in Business & Management (General): £29,500 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, against £20,000 from University College Birmingham. Of the 5 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University College Birmingham is higher in 4 and Birkbeck, University of London in 1.
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
University College Birmingham
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%
University College Birmingham
26 countries · 47% international
- 🌐Nepal48.9%
- 🇮🇳India24.7%
- 🇨🇳China11.5%
- 🇧🇩Bangladesh3.8%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan3.3%
Subjects
17 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
University College Birmingham
Sociology & Criminology
20 coursesTypical fee £18,500 (UG)
4 coursesTypical fee £16,000 (UG)
Business & Management (General)
17 coursesTypical fee £18,500 (UG)
4 coursesTypical fee £13,500 (UG)
Hospitality, Events & Tourism
6 coursesTypical fee £24,390 (PG)
15 coursesTypical fee £13,500 (UG)
Politics & International Relations
16 coursesTypical fee £18,500 (UG)
1 courseTypical fee £17,000 (PG)
Computer Science
10 coursesTypical fee £18,500 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £13,500 (UG)
Psychology (General)
Business Studies
Finance & Actuarial Science
Marketing
Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
Applied Psychology
Planning & Housing
Developmental & Educational Psychology
Business Information Systems
Clinical & Health Psychology
Also taught at both: Design & Fashion, Software Engineering.
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
- University College Birmingham
- £13,500
University College Birmingham is about £5,000 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Birkbeck, University of London
- £20,850
- University College Birmingham
- £17,000
University College Birmingham is about £3,850 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
University College Birmingham
Business & Management (General)
£29,500Salary (3 years)£20,00076%Satisfaction93%Computer Science
£38,000Salary (3 years)No data72%Satisfaction87%Business Studies
£27,000Salary (3 years)£21,00098%Satisfaction86%Finance & Actuarial Science
£29,500Salary (3 years)£20,00078%Satisfaction89%Marketing
£29,500Salary (3 years)£20,00075%Satisfaction85%
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
University College Birmingham
GREAT Scholarship
£10,000
Deadline: N/A
Vice-Chancellor's Award
100%
Deadline: N/A
Dean's Award
50%
Deadline: N/A
Early Action Scholarship
£4,500
Deadline: Jul 2026
Alumni Scholarship
25%
Deadline: N/A
FAQ
Birkbeck, University of London vs University College Birmingham: common questions
Is Birkbeck, University of London or University College Birmingham cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £13,500 at University College Birmingham: University College Birmingham is about £5,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £17,000 at University College Birmingham: University College Birmingham is about £3,850 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 University College Birmingham?
Both universities teach 17 subject areas: Sociology & Criminology, Business & Management (General), Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Politics & International Relations, Computer Science, Psychology (General), Business Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Marketing, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Applied Psychology, Planning & Housing and 5 more.
Is Birkbeck, University of London or University College Birmingham better for Business & Management (General)?
Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £29,500 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, and £20,000 from University College Birmingham. Student satisfaction with teaching is 76% at Birkbeck, University of London and 93% at University College Birmingham. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Birkbeck, University of London or University College Birmingham offer more courses?
Birkbeck, University of London lists 361 courses on CourseOptions and University College Birmingham lists 115 courses.
What can you study at Birkbeck, University of London but not at University College Birmingham?
Birkbeck, University of London teaches 52 subject areas that University College Birmingham does not, including Law, Media & Film Studies, History, Physical Geography & Climate, Ancient Languages, Economics, History of Art & Design, Accounting and 44 more.
What can you study at University College Birmingham but not at Birkbeck, University of London?
University College Birmingham teaches 19 subject areas that Birkbeck, University of London does not, including Sport & Exercise Sciences, Building & Construction, Food Science, Health & Social Care, Childhood & Youth Studies, Food Production & Technology, Crafts & Applied Arts, Education Studies and 11 more.
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