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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 Bristol

Bristol · QS World #57

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

Bristol

scored higher in 9 categories

Quick Verdict

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

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

Birkbeck, University of London and University of Bristol both teach 49 subject areas, the largest being Law, Economics and Mathematics. Birkbeck, University of London offers 361 courses across 69 subject areas; University of Bristol offers 479 courses across 83 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £31,300 at University of Bristol: Birkbeck, University of London is about £12,800 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £28,460 at University of Bristol: Birkbeck, University of London is about £7,610 a year cheaper.

Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Bristol is higher in 20 and Birkbeck, University of London in 2. The widest gap is in Economics: £23,000 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, against £42,000 from University of Bristol. Of the 23 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Bristol is higher in 12 and Birkbeck, University of London 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
#57
#301
THE World
#80
—
Guardian UK
#13
1823
Established
1876
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 Bristol

85.1%
88%

Satisfaction

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

£32,500
£43,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.6%
77.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

12%
33.6%

International

International student share

361
479

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

16
54

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

Bristol

104 countries · 33.6% international

  • 🇨🇳China53.5%
  • 🇮🇳India7.2%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong3.8%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.6%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore2.8%

Subjects

49 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 Bristol

Also taught at both: Geology & Earth Sciences, History of Art & Design, Philosophy, Social Policy & Public Policy, Chemistry, English Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Drama & Theatre, Classical Studies, Creative Writing, Business Studies, Marketing, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Archaeology, Healthcare Science, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Human Geography & Environment, Liberal Arts, Social Sciences (General), Statistics, Asian Languages & Studies, Biology, Design & Fashion, Information & Library Studies, Linguistics, French, German & Scandinavian Studies, Humanities, Information Systems & Data Science, Spanish & Portuguese, Computing & IT, Human Resource Management, Software Engineering.

Only at Birkbeck, University of London

Only at University of Bristol

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 Bristol
£31,300

Birkbeck, University of London is about £12,800 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Birkbeck, University of London
£20,850
University of Bristol
£28,460

Birkbeck, University of London is about £7,610 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 Bristol

  • Law

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£35,000
    94%Satisfaction87%

  • Economics

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£42,000
    88%Satisfaction81%

  • Mathematics

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£34,500
    94%Satisfaction87%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    96%Satisfaction89%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    88%Satisfaction88%

  • Computer Science

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£48,000
    72%Satisfaction93%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£28,500
    95%Satisfaction90%

  • Physical Geography & Climate

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    84%Satisfaction92%

  • Ancient Languages

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
    85%Satisfaction91%

  • Psychology (General)

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    84%Satisfaction89%

  • Accounting

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    75%Satisfaction86%

  • Biochemistry

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    91%Satisfaction96%

Showing the 12 largest of 23 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 Bristol

Black Heritage PhD Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Black heritage PhD scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Bristol Postgraduate Research Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Bristol Postgraduate Research Scholarships for applicants of Black heritage

100%

Deadline: N/A

British Council scholarships for Women

100%

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

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

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £31,300 at University of Bristol: Birkbeck, University of London is about £12,800 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £28,460 at University of Bristol: Birkbeck, University of London is about £7,610 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 Bristol?

Both universities teach 49 subject areas: Law, Economics, Mathematics, Politics & International Relations, Management, Sociology & Criminology, Business & Management (General), Computer Science, History, Physical Geography & Climate, Ancient Languages, Media & Film Studies and 37 more.

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

Law graduates earn a median £22,500 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, and £35,000 from University of Bristol. Student satisfaction with teaching is 94% at Birkbeck, University of London and 87% at University of Bristol. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Bristol lists 479 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 Bristol?

Birkbeck, University of London teaches 20 subject areas that University of Bristol does not, including Counselling & Psychotherapy, Journalism, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Astronomy & Astrophysics, English Literature, Applied Psychology, GIS & Remote Sensing, International Development and 12 more.

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

University of Bristol teaches 34 subject areas that Birkbeck, University of London does not, including Physics, Anatomy & Pathology, Dentistry, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Education Studies, Music, Film Production & Cinematography, General Engineering and 26 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 Bristol479 courses · 54 scholarshipsBrowse Courses