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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 Manchester

Manchester · QS World #40

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.

2/10

Birkbeck

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

8/10

Manchester

scored higher in 8 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Manchester leads in 8 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, TEF, employment, international, graduate salary, courses). Birkbeck, University of London is ahead on established, scholarship.

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

Birkbeck, University of London and University of Manchester both teach 63 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Sociology & Criminology and Economics. Birkbeck, University of London offers 361 courses across 69 subject areas; University of Manchester offers 1,041 courses across 116 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £32,300 at University of Manchester: Birkbeck, University of London is about £13,800 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £26,800 at University of Manchester: Birkbeck, University of London is about £5,950 a year cheaper.

Of the 27 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Manchester is higher in 12 and Birkbeck, University of London in 11, with 4 about level. The widest gap is in Economics: £23,000 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, against £32,500 from University of Manchester. Of the 30 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Birkbeck, University of London is higher in 17 and University of Manchester 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
#40
#301
THE World
#56
—
Guardian UK
#29
1823
Established
1824
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 Manchester

85.1%
85.1%

Satisfaction

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

£32,500
£36,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.6%
80%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

12%
40%

International

International student share

361
1041

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

16
6

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

Manchester

120 countries · 40% international

  • 🇨🇳China51%
  • 🇮🇳India7.6%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia4.9%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.1%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.5%

Subjects

63 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 Manchester

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

Only at Birkbeck, University of London

Only at University of Manchester

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 Manchester
£32,300

Birkbeck, University of London is about £13,800 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Birkbeck, University of London
£20,850
University of Manchester
£26,800

Birkbeck, University of London is about £5,950 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 Manchester

  • Politics & International Relations

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    96%Satisfaction88%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    88%Satisfaction84%

  • Economics

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

  • Law

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    94%Satisfaction89%

  • Biochemistry

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    91%Satisfaction87%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    76%Satisfaction88%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    95%Satisfaction91%

  • Mathematics

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

  • Media & Film Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)No data
    86%Satisfaction93%

  • Geology & Earth Sciences

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    93%Satisfaction88%

  • Linguistics

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    90%Satisfaction89%

  • Biology

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    91%Satisfaction91%

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 Manchester

Spärck AI Scholarship

£20,780

Deadline: N/A

The Sadler Bursary

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

The Bason Family Bursary

£6,000

Deadline: N/A

The Cowrie Foundation Scholarships

£6,000

Deadline: N/A

Accommodation Bursary

£2,050

Deadline: Jul 2026

View all scholarships →

FAQ

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

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £32,300 at University of Manchester: Birkbeck, University of London is about £13,800 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £26,800 at University of Manchester: Birkbeck, University of London is about £5,950 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 Manchester?

Both universities teach 63 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Sociology & Criminology, Economics, Law, Biochemistry, Management, Business & Management (General), Microbiology & Cell Biology, History, Mathematics, Chemistry, Media & Film Studies and 51 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £23,000 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, and £26,500 from University of Manchester. Student satisfaction with teaching is 96% at Birkbeck, University of London and 88% at University of Manchester. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Manchester lists 1,041 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 Manchester?

Birkbeck, University of London teaches 6 subject areas that University of Manchester does not, including Journalism, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Social Sciences (General), Food & Beverage Studies, Natural Sciences and Heritage & Conservation.

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

University of Manchester teaches 53 subject areas that Birkbeck, University of London does not, including Physics, Chemical Engineering, Dentistry, Civil Engineering, Materials Science, Public Health & Epidemiology, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Medicine and 45 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 Manchester1,041 courses · 6 scholarshipsBrowse Courses