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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

U
University of Birmingham

Birmingham · QS World #68

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.

2/11

Birkbeck

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

9/11

Birmingham

scored higher in 9 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Birmingham leads in 9 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, TEF, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary, courses). Birkbeck, University of London is ahead on established, scholarship.

Birkbeck, University of London vs University of Birmingham at a glance

Birkbeck, University of London and University of Birmingham both teach 58 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Law and History. Birkbeck, University of London offers 361 courses across 69 subject areas; University of Birmingham offers 663 courses across 101 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £27,090 at University of Birmingham: Birkbeck, University of London is about £8,590 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £23,390 at University of Birmingham: Birkbeck, University of London is about £2,540 a year cheaper.

Of the 27 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Birmingham is higher in 19 and Birkbeck, University of London in 7, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Economics: £23,000 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, against £34,500 from University of Birmingham. Of the 29 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Birkbeck, University of London is higher in 15 and University of Birmingham in 14.

World & National Rankings

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

#354
QS World
#68
#301
THE World
#98
—
Guardian UK
#18
1823
Established
1900
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

University of Birmingham

85.1%
86.7%

Satisfaction

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

£32,500
£38,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.6%
83.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

12%
31.2%

International

International student share

361
663

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

16
3

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

Birmingham

104 countries · 31.2% international

  • 🇨🇳China55.7%
  • 🇮🇳India9.4%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.2%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.8%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia2%

Subjects

58 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 of Birmingham

Also taught at both: Marketing, Psychology (General), Physical Geography & Climate, Accounting, Business Studies, Chemistry, Finance & Actuarial Science, Management, Classical Studies, Biochemistry, Creative Writing, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Environmental Sciences, Archaeology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Drama & Theatre, French, Linguistics, Social Sciences (General), English Studies, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Planning & Housing, Social Policy & Public Policy, Applied Psychology, English Literature, German & Scandinavian Studies, Liberal Arts, Biology, Clinical & Health Psychology, Healthcare Science, Heritage & Conservation, Information Systems & Data Science, Spanish & Portuguese, Statistics, Biological Sciences (General), Human Geography & Environment, Natural Sciences, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Genetics & Genomics, Computing & IT, Human Resource Management, Software Engineering.

Only at Birkbeck, University of London

Only at University of Birmingham

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 of Birmingham
£27,090

Birkbeck, University of London is about £8,590 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Birkbeck, University of London
£20,850
University of Birmingham
£23,390

Birkbeck, University of London is about £2,540 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 of Birmingham

  • Politics & International Relations

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    96%Satisfaction86%

  • Law

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    94%Satisfaction83%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    95%Satisfaction89%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£35,000
    76%Satisfaction79%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    88%Satisfaction83%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)No data
    86%Satisfaction95%

  • Philosophy

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    91%Satisfaction93%

  • Ancient Languages

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    85%Satisfaction91%

  • History of Art & Design

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    89%Satisfaction90%

  • Economics

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£34,500
    88%Satisfaction85%

  • Computer Science

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£40,000
    72%Satisfaction93%

  • Geology & Earth Sciences

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    93%Satisfaction91%

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 →

University of Birmingham

Enhanced Chamberlain Award

£3,500

Deadline: N/A

University Music Scholarships

£3,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

University Music Scholarships

£1,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Birkbeck, University of London vs University of Birmingham: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £27,090 at University of Birmingham: Birkbeck, University of London is about £8,590 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £23,390 at University of Birmingham: Birkbeck, University of London is about £2,540 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 of Birmingham?

Both universities teach 58 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Law, History, Business & Management (General), Sociology & Criminology, Media & Film Studies, Philosophy, Ancient Languages, History of Art & Design, Teacher Training, Economics, Computer Science and 46 more.

Is Birkbeck, University of London or University of Birmingham better for Politics & International Relations?

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £23,000 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, and £28,000 from University of Birmingham. Student satisfaction with teaching is 96% at Birkbeck, University of London and 86% at University of Birmingham. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Birmingham lists 663 courses on CourseOptions and Birkbeck, University of London lists 361 courses.

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

Birkbeck, University of London teaches 11 subject areas that University of Birmingham does not, including Journalism, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Asian Languages & Studies, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Information & Library Studies, GIS & Remote Sensing, Business Information Systems, Food & Beverage Studies and 3 more.

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

University of Birmingham teaches 43 subject areas that Birkbeck, University of London does not, including Health & Social Care, Civil Engineering, Physics, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Music, Education Studies, Biomedical Sciences and 35 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
University of Birmingham663 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses