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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 Oxford

Oxford · QS World #4

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

Oxford

scored higher in 9 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Oxford leads in 9 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, TEF, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses). Birkbeck, University of London is ahead on employment, scholarship.

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

Birkbeck, University of London and University of Oxford both teach 45 subject areas, the largest being History, Classical Studies and Law. Birkbeck, University of London offers 361 courses across 69 subject areas; University of Oxford offers 642 courses across 79 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £43,600 at University of Oxford: Birkbeck, University of London is about £25,100 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £38,430 at University of Oxford: Birkbeck, University of London is about £17,580 a year cheaper.

Of the 18 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Oxford is higher in 18 and Birkbeck, University of London in 0. The widest gap is in Law: £22,500 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, against £52,500 from University of Oxford. Of the 17 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Oxford is higher in 10 and Birkbeck, University of London in 6, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#354
QS World
#4
#301
THE World
#1
—
Guardian UK
#1
1823
Established
1096
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 Oxford

85.1%
92.5%

Satisfaction

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

£32,500
£50,000

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.6%
76.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

12%
37.2%

International

International student share

361
642

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

16
1

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

Oxford

118 countries · 37.2% international

  • 🇨🇳China18.2%
  • 🇺🇸United States16.8%
  • 🇩🇪Germany5.6%
  • 🇮🇳India5.2%
  • 🇨🇦Canada4.6%

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 Oxford

Also taught at both: Media & Film Studies, Physical Geography & Climate, Psychology (General), Biochemistry, History of Art & Design, Mathematics, Philosophy, Finance & Actuarial Science, Archaeology, Management, Social Sciences (General), Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Business Studies, Statistics, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Biology, Chemistry, English Literature, Geology & Earth Sciences, Information & Library Studies, Genetics & Genomics, Human Geography & Environment, Social Policy & Public Policy, International Development, Computing & IT, Humanities, Software Engineering, Clinical & Health Psychology, Design & Fashion, Microbiology & Cell Biology.

Only at Birkbeck, University of London

Only at University of Oxford

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 Oxford
£43,600

Birkbeck, University of London is about £25,100 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Birkbeck, University of London
£20,850
University of Oxford
£38,430

Birkbeck, University of London is about £17,580 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 Oxford

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    95%Satisfaction96%

  • Classical Studies

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    98%Satisfaction95%

  • Law

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£52,500
    94%SatisfactionNo data

  • Politics & International Relations

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£38,500
    96%Satisfaction89%

  • English Studies

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    94%Satisfaction97%

  • Ancient Languages

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    85%Satisfaction85%

  • Economics

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£46,000
    88%Satisfaction93%

  • Linguistics

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    90%Satisfaction89%

  • Computer Science

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£51,500
    72%Satisfaction92%

  • Asian Languages & Studies

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    75%Satisfaction90%

  • Physical Geography & Climate

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    84%Satisfaction94%

  • Psychology (General)

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    84%Satisfaction94%

Showing the 12 largest of 18 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 Oxford

The Rhodes Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

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

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £43,600 at University of Oxford: Birkbeck, University of London is about £25,100 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £38,430 at University of Oxford: Birkbeck, University of London is about £17,580 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 Oxford?

Both universities teach 45 subject areas: History, Classical Studies, Law, Spanish & Portuguese, Politics & International Relations, English Studies, Ancient Languages, German & Scandinavian Studies, Sociology & Criminology, Business & Management (General), French, Economics and 33 more.

Is Birkbeck, University of London or University of Oxford better for History?

History graduates earn a median £23,500 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, and £33,000 from University of Oxford. Student satisfaction with teaching is 95% at Birkbeck, University of London and 96% at University of Oxford. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Oxford lists 642 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 Oxford?

Birkbeck, University of London teaches 24 subject areas that University of Oxford does not, including Accounting, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Creative Writing, Journalism, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Drama & Theatre, Healthcare Science and 16 more.

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

University of Oxford teaches 34 subject areas that Birkbeck, University of London does not, including Childhood & Youth Studies, Eastern European Languages, Italian, General Engineering, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Theology & Religious Studies, Clinical Specialities, Physics and 26 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 Oxford642 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses