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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 Plymouth

Plymouth · QS World #691

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.

7/10

Birkbeck

scored higher in 7 categories

VS

3/10

Plymouth

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

Birkbeck, University of London leads in 7 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, established, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Plymouth is ahead on TEF, satisfaction, employment.

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

Birkbeck, University of London and University of Plymouth both teach 37 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Law and Sociology & Criminology. Birkbeck, University of London offers 361 courses across 69 subject areas; University of Plymouth offers 310 courses across 78 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £19,200 at University of Plymouth: Birkbeck, University of London is about £700 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £19,500 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £1,350 a year cheaper.

Of the 21 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Birkbeck, University of London is higher in 19 and University of Plymouth in 2. The widest gap is in Creative Writing: £31,500 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, against £19,500 from University of Plymouth. Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Plymouth is higher in 10 and Birkbeck, University of London in 9, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#354
QS World
#691
#301
THE World
#501
—
Guardian UK
#56
1823
Established
1862
No
Russell Group
No
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 Plymouth

85.1%
86.6%

Satisfaction

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

£32,500
£30,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.6%
84.2%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

12%
11.9%

International

International student share

361
310

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

16
10

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

Plymouth

71 countries · 11.9% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria14.6%
  • 🇨🇳China12.2%
  • 🇮🇳India11%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.7%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka3.3%

Subjects

37 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 Plymouth

Also taught at both: Mathematics, Accounting, Creative Writing, Design & Fashion, English Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Chemistry, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Marketing, Statistics, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Environmental Sciences, Human Geography & Environment, Social Sciences (General), Drama & Theatre, Applied Psychology, Clinical & Health Psychology, Software Engineering, Biological Sciences (General), Human Resource Management, Biology, Heritage & Conservation.

Only at Birkbeck, University of London

Only at University of Plymouth

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 Plymouth
£19,200

Birkbeck, University of London is about £700 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Birkbeck, University of London
£20,850
University of Plymouth
£19,500

University of Plymouth is about £1,350 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 Plymouth

  • Business & Management (General)

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    76%Satisfaction83%

  • Law

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£21,500
    94%Satisfaction84%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    88%Satisfaction83%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    96%Satisfaction86%

  • Physical Geography & Climate

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    84%Satisfaction94%

  • Psychology (General)

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£21,500
    84%Satisfaction84%

  • Geology & Earth Sciences

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    93%Satisfaction91%

  • Computer Science

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    72%Satisfaction72%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£20,500
    95%Satisfaction94%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)No data
    86%Satisfaction87%

  • Counselling & Psychotherapy

    No dataSalary (3 years)£26,000
    90%Satisfaction91%

  • Economics

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    88%Satisfaction91%

Showing the 12 largest of 23 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 Plymouth

GREAT Scholarships

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

International Undergraduate Welcome to Plymouth Scholarship

£6,000

Deadline: N/A

Tamar Engineering Project

£4,500

Deadline: Jun 2026

International Postgraduate Welcome to Plymouth Scholarship

£4,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

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

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £19,200 at University of Plymouth: Birkbeck, University of London is about £700 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £19,500 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £1,350 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 Plymouth?

Both universities teach 37 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Law, Sociology & Criminology, Politics & International Relations, Physical Geography & Climate, Psychology (General), Geology & Earth Sciences, Computer Science, History, Media & Film Studies, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Economics and 25 more.

Is Birkbeck, University of London or University of Plymouth better for Business & Management (General)?

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £29,500 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, and £24,000 from University of Plymouth. Student satisfaction with teaching is 76% at Birkbeck, University of London and 83% at University of Plymouth. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

Birkbeck, University of London lists 361 courses on CourseOptions and University of Plymouth lists 310 courses.

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

Birkbeck, University of London teaches 32 subject areas that University of Plymouth does not, including Ancient Languages, History of Art & Design, Biochemistry, Journalism, Philosophy, Classical Studies, Archaeology, Asian Languages & Studies and 24 more.

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

University of Plymouth teaches 41 subject areas that Birkbeck, University of London does not, including Biomedical Sciences, Civil Engineering, Ecology & Conservation, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Adult Nursing, Nutrition & Dietetics, Dentistry, Marine Engineering & Technology 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 Plymouth310 courses · 10 scholarshipsBrowse Courses