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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 Cambridge

Cambridge · QS World #6

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.

3/11

Birkbeck

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

8/11

Cambridge

scored higher in 8 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Cambridge leads in 8 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, TEF, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary). Birkbeck, University of London is ahead on employment, courses, scholarship.

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

Birkbeck, University of London and University of Cambridge both teach 44 subject areas, the largest being Sociology & Criminology, History and Law. Birkbeck, University of London offers 361 courses across 69 subject areas; University of Cambridge offers 336 courses across 79 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £32,890 at University of Cambridge: Birkbeck, University of London is about £14,390 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £41,300 at University of Cambridge: Birkbeck, University of London is about £20,450 a year cheaper.

Of the 16 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Cambridge is higher in 14 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 £59,500 from University of Cambridge. Of the 15 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Cambridge is higher in 8 and Birkbeck, University of London in 5, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#354
QS World
#6
#301
THE World
#3
—
Guardian UK
#2
1823
Established
1209
No
Russell Group
Yes
Bronze
TEF Rating
Gold

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 Cambridge

85.1%
92.1%

Satisfaction

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

£32,500
£49,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.6%
76.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

12%
32.2%

International

International student share

361
336

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

16
0

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

Cambridge

96 countries · 32.2% international

  • 🇨🇳China28.2%
  • 🇺🇸United States10.3%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore6.6%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5.3%
  • 🇮🇳India4.7%

Subjects

44 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 Cambridge

Also taught at both: Philosophy, Creative Writing, Archaeology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Finance & Actuarial Science, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Biochemistry, Classical Studies, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Business Studies, Genetics & Genomics, Human Geography & Environment, Biology, Chemistry, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, English Studies, Linguistics, Geology & Earth Sciences, Information & Library Studies, Information Systems & Data Science, International Development, Statistics, Planning & Housing, Social Policy & Public Policy, Software Engineering, Clinical & Health Psychology, Computing & IT, Heritage & Conservation, Humanities.

Only at Birkbeck, University of London

Only at University of Cambridge

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 Cambridge
£32,890

Birkbeck, University of London is about £14,390 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Birkbeck, University of London
£20,850
University of Cambridge
£41,300

Birkbeck, University of London is about £20,450 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 Cambridge

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    95%Satisfaction95%

  • Law

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£49,000
    94%Satisfaction96%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£34,000
    96%SatisfactionNo data

  • Biological Sciences (General)

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£35,000
    89%Satisfaction91%

  • Economics

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£59,500
    88%Satisfaction86%

  • Asian Languages & Studies

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    75%Satisfaction94%

  • Mathematics

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£44,500
    94%Satisfaction94%

  • Computer Science

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£63,500
    72%Satisfaction94%

  • History of Art & Design

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    89%Satisfaction86%

  • Ancient Languages

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    85%Satisfaction97%

  • Psychology (General)

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    84%Satisfaction92%

  • Philosophy

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    91%Satisfaction93%

Showing the 12 largest of 16 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 Cambridge

View all scholarships →

FAQ

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

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £32,890 at University of Cambridge: Birkbeck, University of London is about £14,390 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £41,300 at University of Cambridge: Birkbeck, University of London is about £20,450 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 Cambridge?

Both universities teach 44 subject areas: Sociology & Criminology, History, Law, Business & Management (General), Politics & International Relations, Biological Sciences (General), Economics, Media & Film Studies, Asian Languages & Studies, Mathematics, Computer Science, History of Art & Design and 32 more.

Is Birkbeck, University of London or University of Cambridge better for History?

History graduates earn a median £23,500 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, and £32,000 from University of Cambridge. Student satisfaction with teaching is 95% at Birkbeck, University of London and 95% at University of Cambridge. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

Birkbeck, University of London lists 361 courses on CourseOptions and University of Cambridge lists 336 courses.

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

Birkbeck, University of London teaches 25 subject areas that University of Cambridge does not, including Physical Geography & Climate, Accounting, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Journalism, Social Sciences (General), Drama & Theatre, English Literature, Healthcare Science and 17 more.

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

University of Cambridge teaches 35 subject areas that Birkbeck, University of London does not, including Childhood & Youth Studies, General Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Architecture, Clinical Specialities, Physics, Theology & Religious Studies and 27 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 Cambridge336 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses