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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 Cumbria

Lancaster · Guardian UK #101

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.

6/8

Birkbeck

scored higher in 6 categories

VS

2/8

Cumbria

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

Birkbeck, University of London leads in 6 of 8 categories where both have data (established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Cumbria is ahead on TEF, employment.

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

Birkbeck, University of London and University of Cumbria both teach 15 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Law and Sociology & Criminology. Birkbeck, University of London offers 361 courses across 69 subject areas; University of Cumbria offers 136 courses across 40 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £16,000 at University of Cumbria: University of Cumbria is about £2,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £16,900 at University of Cumbria: University of Cumbria is about £3,950 a year cheaper.

Of the 8 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Birkbeck, University of London is higher in 8 and University of Cumbria in 0. The widest gap is in Physical Geography & Climate: £29,500 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, against £19,000 from University of Cumbria. Of the 9 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Birkbeck, University of London is higher in 4 and University of Cumbria in 4, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#354
QS World
—
#301
THE World
—
—
Guardian UK
#101
1823
Established
2007
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 Cumbria

85.1%
80.5%

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%
89.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

12%
2.6%

International

International student share

361
136

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

16
1

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

Cumbria

14 countries · 2.6% international

  • 🇨🇦Canada14.9%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan14.9%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria10.6%
  • 🇩🇪Germany8.5%
  • 🇮🇪Ireland8.5%

Subjects

15 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 Cumbria

Only at Birkbeck, University of London

Only at University of Cumbria

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 Cumbria
£16,000

University of Cumbria is about £2,500 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Birkbeck, University of London
£20,850
University of Cumbria
£16,900

University of Cumbria is about £3,950 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 Cumbria

  • Business & Management (General)

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    76%Satisfaction85%

  • Law

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£18,500
    94%Satisfaction95%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£19,500
    88%Satisfaction70%

  • Physical Geography & Climate

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£19,000
    84%Satisfaction85%

  • Psychology (General)

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£19,500
    84%Satisfaction87%

  • Business Studies

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    98%Satisfaction89%

  • Counselling & Psychotherapy

    No dataSalary (3 years)£26,500
    90%Satisfaction94%

  • Human Geography & Environment

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£19,000
    87%Satisfaction77%

  • Environmental Sciences

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£19,000
    84%Satisfaction77%

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 Cumbria

Future Talent Award

£8,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

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

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £16,000 at University of Cumbria: University of Cumbria is about £2,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £16,900 at University of Cumbria: University of Cumbria is about £3,950 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 Cumbria?

Both universities teach 15 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Law, Sociology & Criminology, Physical Geography & Climate, Psychology (General), Computer Science, Business Studies, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Management, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Design & Fashion, Human Geography & Environment and 3 more.

Is Birkbeck, University of London or University of Cumbria better for Business & Management (General)?

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £29,500 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, and £21,000 from University of Cumbria. Student satisfaction with teaching is 76% at Birkbeck, University of London and 85% at University of Cumbria. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

Birkbeck, University of London lists 361 courses on CourseOptions and University of Cumbria lists 136 courses.

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

Birkbeck, University of London teaches 54 subject areas that University of Cumbria does not, including Politics & International Relations, Media & Film Studies, History, Ancient Languages, Economics, History of Art & Design, Accounting, Creative Writing and 46 more.

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

University of Cumbria teaches 25 subject areas that Birkbeck, University of London does not, including Childhood & Youth Studies, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Film Production & Cinematography, Forestry & Arboriculture, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Ecology & Conservation, Mechanical Engineering, Nursing (General) and 17 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 Cumbria136 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses