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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 Derby

Derby · QS World #1201

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 10 datapoints

We looked at 10 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

5/10

Birkbeck

scored higher in 5 categories

VS

5/10

Derby

scored higher in 5 categories

Quick Verdict

Birkbeck, University of London and University of Derby are evenly matched: each leads in 5 of 10 categories where both have data. Birkbeck, University of London is ahead on ranking, established, graduate salary, scholarship; University of Derby on TEF, satisfaction, employment, international, courses.

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

Birkbeck, University of London and University of Derby both teach 36 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Sociology & Criminology and Law. Birkbeck, University of London offers 361 courses across 69 subject areas; University of Derby offers 375 courses across 74 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £16,900 at University of Derby: University of Derby is about £1,600 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £17,500 at University of Derby: University of Derby is about £3,350 a year cheaper.

Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Birkbeck, University of London is higher in 20 and University of Derby in 0. The widest gap is in Business Information Systems: £38,000 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, against £24,500 from University of Derby. Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Derby is higher in 16 and Birkbeck, University of London in 6.

World & National Rankings

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

#354
QS World
#1201
#301
THE World
#601
—
Guardian UK
#80
1823
Established
1851
No
Russell Group
No
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 Derby

85.1%
88.5%

Satisfaction

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

£32,500
£27,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.6%
85.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

12%
14.3%

International

International student share

361
375

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

16
6

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

Derby

64 countries · 14.3% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria34.5%
  • 🇮🇳India15.3%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan8.1%
  • 🇬🇭Ghana6.5%
  • 🇰🇪Kenya5.5%

Subjects

36 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 Derby

Also taught at both: Journalism, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Business Studies, English Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Management, Mathematics, Teacher Training, Personal & Professional Development, Business Information Systems, Drama & Theatre, Geology & Earth Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Human Geography & Environment, Human Resource Management, Software Engineering, Biology, Computing & IT, Humanities, Clinical & Health Psychology, Heritage & Conservation.

Only at Birkbeck, University of London

Only at University of Derby

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 Derby
£16,900

University of Derby is about £1,600 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Birkbeck, University of London
£20,850
University of Derby
£17,500

University of Derby is about £3,350 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 Derby

  • Business & Management (General)

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    76%Satisfaction93%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    88%Satisfaction85%

  • Law

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£20,500
    94%Satisfaction87%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    86%Satisfaction92%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    96%Satisfaction90%

  • Psychology (General)

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    84%Satisfaction90%

  • Economics

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    88%Satisfaction93%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    95%Satisfaction100%

  • Marketing

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

  • Accounting

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    75%Satisfaction90%

  • Counselling & Psychotherapy

    No dataSalary (3 years)£26,000
    90%Satisfaction93%

  • Creative Writing

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    93%Satisfaction98%

Showing the 12 largest of 22 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 Derby

Biomedical Science Excellence Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Golding Awards

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sarah Essam Football Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sitwell Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

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

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £16,900 at University of Derby: University of Derby is about £1,600 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £17,500 at University of Derby: University of Derby is about £3,350 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 Derby?

Both universities teach 36 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Sociology & Criminology, Law, Media & Film Studies, Politics & International Relations, Psychology (General), Economics, History, Design & Fashion, Marketing, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Accounting and 24 more.

Is Birkbeck, University of London or University of Derby 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 Derby. Student satisfaction with teaching is 76% at Birkbeck, University of London and 93% at University of Derby. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Derby lists 375 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 Derby?

Birkbeck, University of London teaches 33 subject areas that University of Derby does not, including Physical Geography & Climate, Ancient Languages, History of Art & Design, Biochemistry, Philosophy, Classical Studies, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Social Sciences (General) and 25 more.

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

University of Derby teaches 38 subject areas that Birkbeck, University of London does not, including Sport & Exercise Sciences, Civil Engineering, Education Studies, Health & Social Care, Adult Nursing, Games Design & Computer Animation, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Mental Health Nursing and 30 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 Derby375 courses · 6 scholarshipsBrowse Courses