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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 Reading

Reading · QS World #196

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 9 datapoints

We looked at 9 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

2/9

Birkbeck

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

7/9

Reading

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Reading leads in 7 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, TEF, employment, international, graduate salary, courses). Birkbeck, University of London is ahead on established, scholarship.

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

Birkbeck, University of London and University of Reading both teach 43 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Economics and Law. Birkbeck, University of London offers 361 courses across 69 subject areas; University of Reading offers 448 courses across 70 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £25,850 at University of Reading: Birkbeck, University of London is about £7,350 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £26,450 at University of Reading: Birkbeck, University of London is about £5,600 a year cheaper.

Of the 26 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Birkbeck, University of London is higher in 15 and University of Reading in 11. The widest gap is in Business Studies: £27,000 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, against £39,500 from University of Reading. Of the 28 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Birkbeck, University of London is higher in 15 and University of Reading in 12, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#354
QS World
#196
#301
THE World
#201
—
Guardian UK
#33
1823
Established
1892
No
Russell Group
No
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 Reading

85.1%
85.1%

Satisfaction

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

£32,500
£35,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.6%
84.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

12%
18%

International

International student share

361
448

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

Reading

96 countries · 18% international

  • 🇨🇳China26%
  • 🇮🇳India6.9%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5.3%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria4.2%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.9%

Subjects

43 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 Reading

Also taught at both: Accounting, Business Studies, English Literature, Chemistry, Computer Science, Biochemistry, History of Art & Design, Information & Library Studies, Archaeology, Creative Writing, Geology & Earth Sciences, Teacher Training, Classical Studies, Design & Fashion, Human Geography & Environment, International Development, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biological Sciences (General), Environmental Sciences, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Drama & Theatre, Social Sciences (General), Linguistics, Planning & Housing, Human Resource Management, Biology, Clinical & Health Psychology, Social Policy & Public Policy.

Only at Birkbeck, University of London

Only at University of Reading

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 Reading
£25,850

Birkbeck, University of London is about £7,350 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Birkbeck, University of London
£20,850
University of Reading
£26,450

Birkbeck, University of London is about £5,600 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 Reading

  • Business & Management (General)

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£35,500
    76%Satisfaction77%

  • Economics

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    88%Satisfaction82%

  • Law

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    94%Satisfaction86%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£38,500
    78%Satisfaction83%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    95%Satisfaction95%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    88%Satisfaction96%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    96%Satisfaction92%

  • Psychology (General)

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    84%Satisfaction83%

  • Mathematics

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    94%Satisfaction86%

  • Ancient Languages

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    85%Satisfaction92%

  • Marketing

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    75%Satisfaction76%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)No data
    86%Satisfaction91%

Showing the 12 largest of 28 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 Reading

The Sporting Excellence Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

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

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £25,850 at University of Reading: Birkbeck, University of London is about £7,350 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £26,450 at University of Reading: Birkbeck, University of London is about £5,600 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 Reading?

Both universities teach 43 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Economics, Law, Finance & Actuarial Science, History, Sociology & Criminology, Politics & International Relations, Psychology (General), Mathematics, Ancient Languages, Management, Marketing and 31 more.

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

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £29,500 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, and £35,500 from University of Reading. Student satisfaction with teaching is 76% at Birkbeck, University of London and 77% at University of Reading. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Reading lists 448 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 Reading?

Birkbeck, University of London teaches 26 subject areas that University of Reading does not, including Counselling & Psychotherapy, Journalism, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Asian Languages & Studies, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Healthcare Science, Liberal Arts and 18 more.

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

University of Reading teaches 27 subject areas that Birkbeck, University of London does not, including Building & Construction, Agriculture & Land Management, Food Science, Childhood & Youth Studies, Biomedical Sciences, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Nutrition & Dietetics, Pharmacy and 19 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 Reading448 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses