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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 Leeds

Leeds · QS World #77

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

Leeds

scored higher in 9 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Leeds 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 Leeds at a glance

Birkbeck, University of London and University of Leeds both teach 62 subject areas, the largest being Law, Sociology & Criminology and Politics & International Relations. Birkbeck, University of London offers 361 courses across 69 subject areas; University of Leeds offers 579 courses across 110 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £33,700 at University of Leeds: Birkbeck, University of London is about £15,200 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £31,500 at University of Leeds: Birkbeck, University of London is about £10,650 a year cheaper.

Of the 30 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Leeds is higher in 17 and Birkbeck, University of London in 11, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Economics: £23,000 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, against £36,000 from University of Leeds. Of the 32 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Birkbeck, University of London is higher in 19 and University of Leeds in 10, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#354
QS World
#77
#301
THE World
#118
—
Guardian UK
#15
1823
Established
1904
No
Russell Group
Yes
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 Leeds

85.1%
85.7%

Satisfaction

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

£32,500
£37,200

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.6%
82.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

12%
31.5%

International

International student share

361
579

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

16
13

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

Leeds

105 countries · 31.5% international

  • 🇨🇳China49.5%
  • 🇮🇳India9.6%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.9%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.4%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.8%

Subjects

62 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 Leeds

Also taught at both: History of Art & Design, Physical Geography & Climate, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Asian Languages & Studies, Geology & Earth Sciences, Psychology (General), Drama & Theatre, Linguistics, Personal & Professional Development, Marketing, Biochemistry, Creative Writing, English Literature, English Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Human Geography & Environment, Journalism, Natural Sciences, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Information & Library Studies, Social Policy & Public Policy, Social Sciences (General), Astronomy & Astrophysics, Biological Sciences (General), Classical Studies, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Genetics & Genomics, GIS & Remote Sensing, Information Systems & Data Science, International Development, Statistics, Teacher Training, Environmental Sciences, Healthcare Science, Human Resource Management, Liberal Arts, Applied Psychology, Biology, Planning & Housing, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Spanish & Portuguese, Clinical & Health Psychology, French, German & Scandinavian Studies, Humanities, Software Engineering.

Only at Birkbeck, University of London

Only at University of Leeds

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 Leeds
£33,700

Birkbeck, University of London is about £15,200 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Birkbeck, University of London
£20,850
University of Leeds
£31,500

Birkbeck, University of London is about £10,650 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 Leeds

  • Law

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    94%Satisfaction87%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    88%Satisfaction82%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    96%Satisfaction85%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    86%Satisfaction90%

  • Computer Science

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£42,000
    72%Satisfaction79%

  • Economics

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£36,000
    88%Satisfaction88%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    95%Satisfaction94%

  • Business Studies

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£36,000
    98%Satisfaction84%

  • Mathematics

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£31,500
    94%Satisfaction83%

  • Ancient Languages

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    85%Satisfaction88%

  • Philosophy

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    91%Satisfaction85%

  • History of Art & Design

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    89%Satisfaction95%

Showing the 12 largest of 32 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 Leeds

Gazan Humanitarian Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Gazan Humanitarian Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Global Community Bursary

£10,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

Sanctuary Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

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

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £33,700 at University of Leeds: Birkbeck, University of London is about £15,200 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £31,500 at University of Leeds: Birkbeck, University of London is about £10,650 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 Leeds?

Both universities teach 62 subject areas: Law, Sociology & Criminology, Politics & International Relations, Media & Film Studies, Computer Science, Economics, History, Business Studies, Business & Management (General), Chemistry, Mathematics, Ancient Languages and 50 more.

Is Birkbeck, University of London or University of Leeds better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £22,500 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, and £26,000 from University of Leeds. Student satisfaction with teaching is 94% at Birkbeck, University of London and 87% at University of Leeds. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Leeds lists 579 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 Leeds?

Birkbeck, University of London teaches 7 subject areas that University of Leeds does not, including Accounting, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Archaeology, Business Information Systems, Food & Beverage Studies, Computing & IT and Heritage & Conservation.

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

University of Leeds teaches 48 subject areas that Birkbeck, University of London does not, including Civil Engineering, Physics, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Music, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Education Studies, Medical Imaging, Theology & Religious Studies 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 Leeds579 courses · 13 scholarshipsBrowse Courses