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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 Salford

Salford · QS World #1001

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.

6/10

Birkbeck

scored higher in 6 categories

VS

4/10

Salford

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

Birkbeck, University of London leads in 6 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, established, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Salford is ahead on TEF, satisfaction, employment, international.

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

Birkbeck, University of London and University of Salford both teach 33 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Sociology & Criminology and Law. Birkbeck, University of London offers 361 courses across 69 subject areas; University of Salford offers 305 courses across 72 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £17,040 at University of Salford: University of Salford is about £1,460 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £17,710 at University of Salford: University of Salford is about £3,140 a year cheaper.

Of the 21 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Birkbeck, University of London is higher in 21 and University of Salford in 0. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £38,000 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, against £23,500 from University of Salford. Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Birkbeck, University of London is higher in 14 and University of Salford in 7, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#354
QS World
#1001
#301
THE World
#801
—
Guardian UK
#82
1823
Established
1896
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 Salford

85.1%
85.2%

Satisfaction

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

£32,500
£28,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.6%
82.5%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

12%
19.1%

International

International student share

361
305

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

Salford

63 countries · 19.1% international

  • 🇮🇳India34.8%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria27.4%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan12.9%
  • 🌐Kuwait3.7%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh2.6%

Subjects

33 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 Salford

Also taught at both: Management, Accounting, Creative Writing, Marketing, Finance & Actuarial Science, Mathematics, Social Sciences (General), Human Geography & Environment, Philosophy, Applied Psychology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Business Information Systems, Chemistry, English Literature, Information Systems & Data Science, Biology, Software Engineering, Human Resource Management.

Only at Birkbeck, University of London

Only at University of Salford

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 Salford
£17,040

University of Salford is about £1,460 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Birkbeck, University of London
£20,850
University of Salford
£17,710

University of Salford is about £3,140 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 Salford

  • Business & Management (General)

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£21,500
    76%Satisfaction74%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£22,000
    88%Satisfaction80%

  • Law

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£20,500
    94%Satisfaction81%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    86%Satisfaction91%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    96%Satisfaction87%

  • Business Studies

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    98%Satisfaction99%

  • Computer Science

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    72%Satisfaction76%

  • Counselling & Psychotherapy

    No dataSalary (3 years)£24,500
    90%Satisfaction90%

  • Psychology (General)

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£19,500
    84%Satisfaction79%

  • Physical Geography & Climate

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    84%Satisfaction82%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    95%Satisfaction93%

  • Biochemistry

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£22,000
    91%Satisfaction73%

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 Salford

Salford/International Nursing College Scholarships

£8,160

Deadline: N/A

Salford/EATL Data Science Scholarships

£7,100

Deadline: N/A

Global Gold Excellence Scholarship

£3,500

Deadline: N/A

Global Silver Excellence Scholarship

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

IFY Excellence Scholarship

£2,500

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

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

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £17,040 at University of Salford: University of Salford is about £1,460 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £17,710 at University of Salford: University of Salford is about £3,140 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 Salford?

Both universities teach 33 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Sociology & Criminology, Law, Media & Film Studies, Politics & International Relations, Business Studies, Computer Science, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Psychology (General), Design & Fashion, Physical Geography & Climate, History and 21 more.

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

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £29,500 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, and £21,500 from University of Salford. Student satisfaction with teaching is 76% at Birkbeck, University of London and 74% at University of Salford. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

Birkbeck, University of London lists 361 courses on CourseOptions and University of Salford lists 305 courses.

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

Birkbeck, University of London teaches 36 subject areas that University of Salford does not, including Ancient Languages, Economics, History of Art & Design, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Classical Studies, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Archaeology, Asian Languages & Studies and 28 more.

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

University of Salford teaches 39 subject areas that Birkbeck, University of London does not, including Building & Construction, Film Production & Cinematography, Aerospace Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Physics, Zoology & Animal Biology, Architecture and 31 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 Salford305 courses · 5 scholarshipsBrowse Courses