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 Nottingham

Nottingham · QS World #97

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

Nottingham

scored higher in 9 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Nottingham 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 Nottingham at a glance

Birkbeck, University of London and University of Nottingham both teach 48 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Politics & International Relations and Sociology & Criminology. Birkbeck, University of London offers 361 courses across 69 subject areas; University of Nottingham offers 580 courses across 98 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £33,000 at University of Nottingham: Birkbeck, University of London is about £14,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £30,800 at University of Nottingham: Birkbeck, University of London is about £9,950 a year cheaper.

Of the 21 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Nottingham is higher in 15 and Birkbeck, University of London in 5, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Economics: £23,000 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, against £38,500 from University of Nottingham. Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Birkbeck, University of London is higher in 10 and University of Nottingham in 8, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#354
QS World
#97
#301
THE World
#145
—
Guardian UK
#21
1823
Established
1881
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 Nottingham

85.1%
86.6%

Satisfaction

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

£32,500
£40,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.6%
79.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

12%
21.1%

International

International student share

361
580

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

16
5

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

Nottingham

98 countries · 21.1% international

  • 🇨🇳China42.6%
  • 🇮🇳India9%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia4.4%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4%
  • 🇹🇷Turkey2.7%

Subjects

48 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 Nottingham

Also taught at both: Physical Geography & Climate, Social Sciences (General), Ancient Languages, Human Geography & Environment, Archaeology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Creative Writing, English Studies, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Accounting, Classical Studies, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Business Studies, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Applied Psychology, International Development, Liberal Arts, Natural Sciences, Design & Fashion, English Literature, Environmental Sciences, Geology & Earth Sciences, Marketing, Genetics & Genomics, Information Systems & Data Science, Statistics, Biology, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Social Policy & Public Policy, Clinical & Health Psychology, French, Human Resource Management.

Only at Birkbeck, University of London

Only at University of Nottingham

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 Nottingham
£33,000

Birkbeck, University of London is about £14,500 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Birkbeck, University of London
£20,850
University of Nottingham
£30,800

Birkbeck, University of London is about £9,950 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 Nottingham

  • Computer Science

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£36,000
    72%Satisfaction79%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    96%Satisfaction88%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    88%Satisfaction90%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    86%Satisfaction88%

  • Law

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£34,000
    94%Satisfaction89%

  • Economics

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£38,500
    88%Satisfaction83%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    95%Satisfaction89%

  • Philosophy

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    91%Satisfaction93%

  • Psychology (General)

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    84%Satisfaction83%

  • Mathematics

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    94%Satisfaction81%

  • History of Art & Design

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    89%Satisfaction94%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    78%Satisfaction79%

Showing the 12 largest of 21 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 Nottingham

Taiwan Research Hub PhD Scholarship 2026/27

£11,000

Deadline: N/A

Molson Coors Award

50%

Deadline: N/A

The Witty Entrepreneurial Scholarship

£750

Deadline: N/A

Hillsborough Trust Memorial Bursary

£500

Deadline: N/A

PhD Scholarships

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

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

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £33,000 at University of Nottingham: Birkbeck, University of London is about £14,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £30,800 at University of Nottingham: Birkbeck, University of London is about £9,950 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 Nottingham?

Both universities teach 48 subject areas: Computer Science, Politics & International Relations, Sociology & Criminology, Media & Film Studies, Business & Management (General), Law, Economics, History, Philosophy, Psychology (General), Mathematics, History of Art & Design and 36 more.

Is Birkbeck, University of London or University of Nottingham better for Computer Science?

Computer Science graduates earn a median £38,000 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, and £36,000 from University of Nottingham. Student satisfaction with teaching is 72% at Birkbeck, University of London and 79% at University of Nottingham. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Nottingham lists 580 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 Nottingham?

Birkbeck, University of London teaches 21 subject areas that University of Nottingham does not, including Journalism, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Asian Languages & Studies, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Drama & Theatre, Healthcare Science, Information & Library Studies and 13 more.

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

University of Nottingham teaches 50 subject areas that Birkbeck, University of London does not, including Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Chemical Engineering, Physics, Childhood & Youth Studies, Civil Engineering, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Architecture and 42 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 Nottingham580 courses · 5 scholarshipsBrowse Courses