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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 Exeter

Devon · QS World #136

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

Exeter

scored higher in 9 categories

Quick Verdict

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

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

Birkbeck, University of London and University of Exeter both teach 45 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Mathematics and Business & Management (General). Birkbeck, University of London offers 361 courses across 69 subject areas; University of Exeter offers 873 courses across 91 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £24,950 at University of Exeter: Birkbeck, University of London is about £6,450 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £25,550 at University of Exeter: Birkbeck, University of London is about £4,700 a year cheaper.

Of the 24 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Exeter is higher in 15 and Birkbeck, University of London in 9. The widest gap is in Economics: £23,000 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, against £40,000 from University of Exeter. Of the 26 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Exeter is higher in 13 and Birkbeck, University of London in 11, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#354
QS World
#136
#301
THE World
#170
—
Guardian UK
#14
1823
Established
1922
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 Exeter

85.1%
87.7%

Satisfaction

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

£32,500
£39,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.6%
82.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

12%
22.2%

International

International student share

361
873

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

16
2

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

Exeter

111 countries · 22.2% international

  • 🇨🇳China25.1%
  • 🇮🇳India10.9%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong10%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia2.9%
  • 🇺🇸United States2.8%

Subjects

45 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 Exeter

Also taught at both: Psychology (General), Physical Geography & Climate, Accounting, Archaeology, Geology & Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Environment, Business Studies, Management, Biochemistry, Creative Writing, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Drama & Theatre, Environmental Sciences, Marketing, Social Sciences (General), Liberal Arts, Humanities, Information Systems & Data Science, Natural Sciences, Applied Psychology, Biological Sciences (General), Biology, Genetics & Genomics, Human Resource Management, Statistics, Clinical & Health Psychology, French, German & Scandinavian Studies, Computing & IT, Software Engineering.

Only at Birkbeck, University of London

Only at University of Exeter

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 Exeter
£24,950

Birkbeck, University of London is about £6,450 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Birkbeck, University of London
£20,850
University of Exeter
£25,550

Birkbeck, University of London is about £4,700 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 Exeter

  • Politics & International Relations

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    96%Satisfaction88%

  • Mathematics

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    94%Satisfaction88%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£39,000
    76%Satisfaction84%

  • Law

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    94%Satisfaction86%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    95%Satisfaction92%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    88%Satisfaction91%

  • Classical Studies

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    98%Satisfaction92%

  • History of Art & Design

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    89%Satisfaction87%

  • Computer Science

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£40,500
    72%Satisfaction83%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£39,000
    78%Satisfaction84%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)No data
    86%Satisfaction85%

  • Economics

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£40,000
    88%Satisfaction88%

Showing the 12 largest of 26 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 Exeter

Bell Burnell Graduate Scholarship Fund

See details

Deadline: N/A

Carolyn and Andrew Trevorrow Memorial Fund Travel Bursaries

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

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

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £24,950 at University of Exeter: Birkbeck, University of London is about £6,450 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £25,550 at University of Exeter: Birkbeck, University of London is about £4,700 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 Exeter?

Both universities teach 45 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Mathematics, Business & Management (General), Law, History, Sociology & Criminology, Classical Studies, History of Art & Design, Computer Science, Finance & Actuarial Science, Media & Film Studies, Economics and 33 more.

Is Birkbeck, University of London or University of Exeter better for Politics & International Relations?

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £23,000 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, and £30,500 from University of Exeter. Student satisfaction with teaching is 96% at Birkbeck, University of London and 88% at University of Exeter. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Exeter lists 873 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 Exeter?

Birkbeck, University of London teaches 24 subject areas that University of Exeter does not, including Counselling & Psychotherapy, Journalism, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Asian Languages & Studies, Astronomy & Astrophysics, English Literature, Healthcare Science and 16 more.

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

University of Exeter teaches 46 subject areas that Birkbeck, University of London does not, including Physics, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, General Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Civil Engineering, Theology & Religious Studies, Ecology & Conservation, Zoology & Animal Biology and 38 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 Exeter873 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses