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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 Kent

Canterbury · QS World #415

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.

6/10

Birkbeck

scored higher in 6 categories

VS

4/10

Kent

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

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

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

Birkbeck, University of London and University of Kent both teach 45 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Sociology & Criminology and Law. Birkbeck, University of London offers 361 courses across 69 subject areas; University of Kent offers 335 courses across 63 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £23,500 at University of Kent: Birkbeck, University of London is about £5,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £20,700 at University of Kent, so the two cost about the same.

Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Kent is higher in 12 and Birkbeck, University of London in 7, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Finance & Actuarial Science: £29,500 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, against £41,500 from University of Kent. Of the 23 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Birkbeck, University of London is higher in 13 and University of Kent in 10.

World & National Rankings

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

#354
QS World
#415
#301
THE World
#401
—
Guardian UK
#47
1823
Established
1965
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 Kent

85.1%
84%

Satisfaction

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

£32,500
£33,600

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.6%
80%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

12%
16%

International

International student share

361
335

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

Kent

85 countries · 16% international

  • 🇮🇳India9.9%
  • 🇨🇳China6.8%
  • 🇹🇭Thailand6.6%
  • 🇫🇷France5.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria5.3%

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 Kent

Also taught at both: Applied Psychology, Biochemistry, Creative Writing, Biology, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Marketing, Chemistry, Social Sciences (General), Astronomy & Astrophysics, English Literature, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Drama & Theatre, Classical Studies, Archaeology, English Studies, Linguistics, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Software Engineering, Statistics, Business Information Systems, Genetics & Genomics, Personal & Professional Development, Social Policy & Public Policy, Clinical & Health Psychology, Design & Fashion, Environmental Sciences, German & Scandinavian Studies, French, Human Resource Management, Spanish & Portuguese.

Only at Birkbeck, University of London

Only at University of Kent

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 Kent
£23,500

Birkbeck, University of London is about £5,000 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Birkbeck, University of London
£20,850
University of Kent
£20,700

About the same.

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 Kent

  • Politics & International Relations

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    96%Satisfaction87%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    88%Satisfaction83%

  • Law

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    94%Satisfaction86%

  • Computer Science

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£37,000
    72%Satisfaction79%

  • Economics

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    88%Satisfaction85%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £29,500Salary (3 years)No data
    76%Satisfaction77%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£41,500
    78%Satisfaction81%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    95%Satisfaction93%

  • Psychology (General)

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    84%Satisfaction77%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    86%Satisfaction76%

  • Mathematics

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    94%Satisfaction87%

  • Accounting

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    75%Satisfaction82%

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 Kent

View all scholarships →

FAQ

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

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £23,500 at University of Kent: Birkbeck, University of London is about £5,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £20,700 at University of Kent, so the two cost about the same. 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 Kent?

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

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £23,000 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, and £25,500 from University of Kent. Student satisfaction with teaching is 96% at Birkbeck, University of London and 87% at University of Kent. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

Birkbeck, University of London lists 361 courses on CourseOptions and University of Kent lists 335 courses.

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

Birkbeck, University of London teaches 24 subject areas that University of Kent does not, including Physical Geography & Climate, History of Art & Design, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Journalism, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Philosophy, Asian Languages & Studies, Geology & Earth Sciences and 16 more.

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

University of Kent teaches 18 subject areas that Birkbeck, University of London does not, including Physics, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Architecture, Ecology & Conservation, Forensic Science, Film Production & Cinematography, Pharmacy and 10 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 Kent335 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses