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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 Portsmouth

Portsmouth · QS World #662

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.

5/10

Birkbeck

scored higher in 5 categories

VS

5/10

Portsmouth

scored higher in 5 categories

Quick Verdict

Birkbeck, University of London and University of Portsmouth are evenly matched: each leads in 5 of 10 categories where both have data. Birkbeck, University of London is ahead on ranking, established, graduate salary, scholarship; University of Portsmouth on TEF, satisfaction, employment, international, courses.

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

Birkbeck, University of London and University of Portsmouth both teach 46 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 Portsmouth offers 446 courses across 84 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £17,900 at University of Portsmouth: University of Portsmouth is about £600 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £18,600 at University of Portsmouth: University of Portsmouth is about £2,250 a year cheaper.

Of the 26 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Birkbeck, University of London is higher in 17 and University of Portsmouth in 8, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £38,000 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, against £25,500 from University of Portsmouth. Of the 29 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Birkbeck, University of London is higher in 15 and University of Portsmouth in 14.

World & National Rankings

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

#354
QS World
#662
#301
THE World
#401
—
Guardian UK
#55
1823
Established
1869
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 Portsmouth

85.1%
86.9%

Satisfaction

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

£32,500
£32,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.6%
84.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

12%
24.5%

International

International student share

361
446

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

Portsmouth

96 countries · 24.5% international

  • 🇮🇳India22.1%
  • 🇨🇳China11.6%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria7.8%
  • 🌐Kuwait7.1%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan5.6%

Subjects

46 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 Portsmouth

Also taught at both: Counselling & Psychotherapy, Creative Writing, Marketing, Journalism, Teacher Training, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Mathematics, Finance & Actuarial Science, Social Policy & Public Policy, English Literature, Human Resource Management, Biochemistry, Linguistics, Social Sciences (General), International Development, Applied Psychology, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Drama & Theatre, Geology & Earth Sciences, Healthcare Science, Environmental Sciences, GIS & Remote Sensing, Information Systems & Data Science, Software Engineering, Business Information Systems, Computing & IT, Human Geography & Environment, Biology, Clinical & Health Psychology, Planning & Housing.

Only at Birkbeck, University of London

Only at University of Portsmouth

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 Portsmouth
£17,900

University of Portsmouth is about £600 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Birkbeck, University of London
£20,850
University of Portsmouth
£18,600

University of Portsmouth is about £2,250 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 Portsmouth

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    88%Satisfaction87%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    96%Satisfaction87%

  • Law

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    94%Satisfaction88%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    76%Satisfaction87%

  • Computer Science

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    72%Satisfaction82%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£21,500
    86%Satisfaction85%

  • Accounting

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    75%Satisfaction93%

  • Business Studies

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    98%Satisfaction85%

  • Economics

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    88%Satisfaction85%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    95%Satisfaction90%

  • Ancient Languages

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    85%Satisfaction82%

  • Physical Geography & Climate

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    84%Satisfaction91%

Showing the 12 largest of 29 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 Portsmouth

Portsmouth Football Club Partnership Scholarship

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

Estée Lauder Companies - Whitman Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Portsmouth Football Club Partnership Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Language Bursary

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

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

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £17,900 at University of Portsmouth: University of Portsmouth is about £600 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £18,600 at University of Portsmouth: University of Portsmouth is about £2,250 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 Portsmouth?

Both universities teach 46 subject areas: Sociology & Criminology, Politics & International Relations, Law, Business & Management (General), Computer Science, Management, Media & Film Studies, Accounting, Business Studies, Economics, History, Ancient Languages and 34 more.

Is Birkbeck, University of London or University of Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth. Student satisfaction with teaching is 88% at Birkbeck, University of London and 87% at University of Portsmouth. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Portsmouth lists 446 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 Portsmouth?

Birkbeck, University of London teaches 23 subject areas that University of Portsmouth does not, including History of Art & Design, Philosophy, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Classical Studies, Archaeology, Asian Languages & Studies, Information & Library Studies, Liberal Arts and 15 more.

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

University of Portsmouth teaches 38 subject areas that Birkbeck, University of London does not, including Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Building & Construction, Education Studies, General Engineering, Games Design & Computer Animation, Mechanical Engineering, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Childhood & Youth Studies and 30 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 Portsmouth446 courses · 5 scholarshipsBrowse Courses