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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 Chester

Chester · Guardian UK #91

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 9 datapoints

We looked at 9 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

6/9

Birkbeck

scored higher in 6 categories

VS

3/9

Chester

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

Birkbeck, University of London leads in 6 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Chester is ahead on TEF, employment, international.

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

Birkbeck, University of London and University of Chester both teach 38 subject areas, the largest being Sociology & Criminology, Business & Management (General) and Law. Birkbeck, University of London offers 361 courses across 69 subject areas; University of Chester offers 329 courses across 73 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £14,950 at University of Chester: University of Chester is about £3,550 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £15,500 at University of Chester: University of Chester is about £5,350 a year cheaper.

Of the 21 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Birkbeck, University of London is higher in 21 and University of Chester in 0. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £38,000 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, against £23,000 from University of Chester. Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Birkbeck, University of London is higher in 13 and University of Chester in 9.

World & National Rankings

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

#354
QS World
—
#301
THE World
#1501
—
Guardian UK
#91
1823
Established
1839
No
Russell Group
No
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 Chester

85.1%
83.9%

Satisfaction

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

£32,500
£27,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.6%
84.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

12%
28.7%

International

International student share

361
329

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

Chester

52 countries · 28.7% international

  • 🇮🇳India32.1%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan26.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria11.7%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka7.1%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh2.8%

Subjects

38 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 Chester

Also taught at both: Marketing, Design & Fashion, Finance & Actuarial Science, Mathematics, Business Studies, Software Engineering, Social Sciences (General), Applied Psychology, Drama & Theatre, English Literature, Teacher Training, Asian Languages & Studies, Chemistry, English Studies, Information & Library Studies, Information Systems & Data Science, Biology, Business Information Systems, Humanities, Biological Sciences (General), Computing & IT, French, Spanish & Portuguese.

Only at Birkbeck, University of London

Only at University of Chester

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 Chester
£14,950

University of Chester is about £3,550 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Birkbeck, University of London
£20,850
University of Chester
£15,500

University of Chester is about £5,350 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 Chester

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    88%Satisfaction86%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£21,500
    76%Satisfaction79%

  • Law

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£20,000
    94%Satisfaction89%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    96%Satisfaction86%

  • Psychology (General)

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    84%Satisfaction82%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    86%Satisfaction70%

  • Computer Science

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    72%Satisfaction83%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    95%Satisfaction94%

  • Accounting

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    75%Satisfaction88%

  • Ancient Languages

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    85%Satisfaction88%

  • Journalism

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    87%Satisfaction78%

  • Archaeology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    97%Satisfaction100%

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 Chester

NHS Learning Support Fund

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

Visit Us Travel Bursary

£100

Deadline: N/A

Futures Employability Fund

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

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

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £14,950 at University of Chester: University of Chester is about £3,550 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £15,500 at University of Chester: University of Chester is about £5,350 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 Chester?

Both universities teach 38 subject areas: Sociology & Criminology, Business & Management (General), Law, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Politics & International Relations, Psychology (General), Media & Film Studies, Computer Science, History, Accounting, Ancient Languages, Journalism and 26 more.

Is Birkbeck, University of London or University of Chester better for Sociology & Criminology?

Sociology & Criminology graduates earn a median £23,000 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, and £20,500 from University of Chester. Student satisfaction with teaching is 88% at Birkbeck, University of London and 86% at University of Chester. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

Birkbeck, University of London lists 361 courses on CourseOptions and University of Chester lists 329 courses.

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

Birkbeck, University of London teaches 31 subject areas that University of Chester does not, including Physical Geography & Climate, Economics, History of Art & Design, Management, Biochemistry, Philosophy, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Classical Studies and 23 more.

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

University of Chester teaches 35 subject areas that Birkbeck, University of London does not, including Childhood & Youth Studies, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Geography (General), Nutrition & Dietetics, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Adult Nursing, Animal Science, Mental Health Nursing 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 Chester329 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses