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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 Hertfordshire

Hatfield · QS World #851

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.

4/10

Birkbeck

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

6/10

Hertfordshire

scored higher in 6 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Hertfordshire leads in 6 of 10 categories where both have data (TEF, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary, courses). Birkbeck, University of London is ahead on ranking, established, scholarship.

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

Birkbeck, University of London and University of Hertfordshire both teach 38 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Law and Computer Science. Birkbeck, University of London offers 361 courses across 69 subject areas; University of Hertfordshire offers 468 courses across 86 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £15,500 at University of Hertfordshire: University of Hertfordshire is about £3,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £18,000 at University of Hertfordshire: University of Hertfordshire is about £2,850 a year cheaper.

Of the 17 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Birkbeck, University of London is higher in 8 and University of Hertfordshire in 8, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £38,000 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, against £32,000 from University of Hertfordshire. Of the 18 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Birkbeck, University of London is higher in 10 and University of Hertfordshire in 8.

World & National Rankings

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

#354
QS World
#851
#301
THE World
#601
—
Guardian UK
#69
1823
Established
1952
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 Hertfordshire

85.1%
86.4%

Satisfaction

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

£32,500
£32,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.6%
83.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

12%
57.5%

International

International student share

361
468

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

Hertfordshire

77 countries · 57.5% international

  • 🇮🇳India44.6%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan26.4%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria10.3%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh5.5%
  • 🇨🇳China1.8%

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 Hertfordshire

Also taught at both: Finance & Actuarial Science, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Creative Writing, Environmental Sciences, Philosophy, Journalism, English Literature, Human Resource Management, Social Sciences (General), Healthcare Science, Human Geography & Environment, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Software Engineering, Statistics, Teacher Training, Biology, Clinical & Health Psychology, Computing & IT, Heritage & Conservation, Humanities, Social Policy & Public Policy.

Only at Birkbeck, University of London

Only at University of Hertfordshire

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 Hertfordshire
£15,500

University of Hertfordshire is about £3,000 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Birkbeck, University of London
£20,850
University of Hertfordshire
£18,000

University of Hertfordshire is about £2,850 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 Hertfordshire

  • Business & Management (General)

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    76%Satisfaction85%

  • Law

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    94%Satisfaction89%

  • Computer Science

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    72%Satisfaction78%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    96%Satisfaction95%

  • Business Studies

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    98%Satisfaction91%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    86%Satisfaction77%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    88%Satisfaction71%

  • Psychology (General)

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    84%Satisfaction86%

  • Mathematics

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    94%Satisfaction85%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    95%Satisfaction97%

  • Marketing

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    75%Satisfaction90%

  • Economics

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    88%Satisfaction96%

Showing the 12 largest of 18 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 Hertfordshire

View all scholarships →

FAQ

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

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £15,500 at University of Hertfordshire: University of Hertfordshire is about £3,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £18,000 at University of Hertfordshire: University of Hertfordshire is about £2,850 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 Hertfordshire?

Both universities teach 38 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Law, Computer Science, Politics & International Relations, Business Studies, Media & Film Studies, Sociology & Criminology, Psychology (General), Design & Fashion, Mathematics, History, Marketing and 26 more.

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

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £29,500 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, and £26,500 from University of Hertfordshire. Student satisfaction with teaching is 76% at Birkbeck, University of London and 85% at University of Hertfordshire. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Hertfordshire lists 468 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 Hertfordshire?

Birkbeck, University of London teaches 31 subject areas that University of Hertfordshire does not, including Physical Geography & Climate, Ancient Languages, History of Art & Design, Management, Biochemistry, Classical Studies, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Archaeology and 23 more.

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

University of Hertfordshire teaches 48 subject areas that Birkbeck, University of London does not, including Childhood & Youth Studies, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Clinical Specialities, Biotechnology, Music, Sport & Exercise Sciences and 40 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 Hertfordshire468 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses