Skip to main content

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 Liverpool

Liverpool · QS World #139

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

Liverpool

scored higher in 9 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Liverpool 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 Liverpool at a glance

Birkbeck, University of London and University of Liverpool both teach 53 subject areas, the largest being Sociology & Criminology, Politics & International Relations and Law. Birkbeck, University of London offers 361 courses across 69 subject areas; University of Liverpool offers 793 courses across 94 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £32,000 at University of Liverpool: Birkbeck, University of London is about £13,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £30,000 at University of Liverpool: Birkbeck, University of London is about £9,150 a year cheaper.

Of the 28 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Birkbeck, University of London is higher in 20 and University of Liverpool in 4, with 4 about level. The widest gap is in Asian Languages & Studies: £30,500 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, against £23,000 from University of Liverpool. Of the 30 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Birkbeck, University of London is higher in 18 and University of Liverpool in 10, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#354
QS World
#139
#301
THE World
#143
—
Guardian UK
#28
1823
Established
1881
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 Liverpool

85.1%
87.7%

Satisfaction

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

£32,500
£34,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.6%
79.9%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

12%
24.1%

International

International student share

361
793

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

Liverpool

93 countries · 24.1% international

  • 🇨🇳China40.6%
  • 🇮🇳India17.1%
  • 🌐Kuwait4.3%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia4%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.1%

Subjects

53 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 Liverpool

Also taught at both: French, German & Scandinavian Studies, Physical Geography & Climate, Chemistry, Spanish & Portuguese, Psychology (General), Accounting, Ancient Languages, English Literature, Finance & Actuarial Science, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Geology & Earth Sciences, Management, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Marketing, Biochemistry, Biology, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Social Policy & Public Policy, Business Information Systems, Drama & Theatre, Human Geography & Environment, Information & Library Studies, Planning & Housing, Software Engineering, Computing & IT, GIS & Remote Sensing, Information Systems & Data Science, Clinical & Health Psychology, Environmental Sciences, Human Resource Management, Humanities, Personal & Professional Development, Biological Sciences (General), Design & Fashion, Heritage & Conservation.

Only at Birkbeck, University of London

Only at University of Liverpool

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 Liverpool
£32,000

Birkbeck, University of London is about £13,500 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Birkbeck, University of London
£20,850
University of Liverpool
£30,000

Birkbeck, University of London is about £9,150 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 Liverpool

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    88%Satisfaction86%

  • Politics & International Relations

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

  • Law

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    94%Satisfaction86%

  • History

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

  • Media & Film Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    86%Satisfaction87%

  • Archaeology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    97%Satisfaction92%

  • Asian Languages & Studies

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    75%Satisfaction91%

  • Mathematics

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    94%Satisfaction82%

  • Computer Science

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    72%Satisfaction77%

  • Business Studies

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    98%Satisfaction83%

  • Economics

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    88%Satisfaction86%

  • English Studies

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    94%Satisfaction90%

Showing the 12 largest of 30 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 Liverpool

Liverpool Advancement Scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

Postgraduate Opportunity Bursary

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

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

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £32,000 at University of Liverpool: Birkbeck, University of London is about £13,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £30,000 at University of Liverpool: Birkbeck, University of London is about £9,150 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 Liverpool?

Both universities teach 53 subject areas: Sociology & Criminology, Politics & International Relations, Law, History, Media & Film Studies, Archaeology, Asian Languages & Studies, Mathematics, Business & Management (General), Computer Science, Business Studies, Economics and 41 more.

Is Birkbeck, University of London or University of Liverpool better for Sociology & Criminology?

Sociology & Criminology graduates earn a median £23,000 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, and £24,000 from University of Liverpool. Student satisfaction with teaching is 88% at Birkbeck, University of London and 86% at University of Liverpool. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Liverpool lists 793 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 Liverpool?

Birkbeck, University of London teaches 16 subject areas that University of Liverpool does not, including History of Art & Design, Creative Writing, Journalism, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Social Sciences (General), Healthcare Science, Liberal Arts, Linguistics and 8 more.

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

University of Liverpool teaches 41 subject areas that Birkbeck, University of London does not, including Music, Italian, Physics, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Irish Studies, Aerospace Engineering, Civil Engineering and 33 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 Liverpool793 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses