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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 South Wales

Pontypridd · QS World #1201

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.

5/9

Birkbeck

scored higher in 5 categories

VS

4/9

South Wales

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

Birkbeck, University of London leads in 5 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, established, graduate salary, courses). University of South Wales is ahead on satisfaction, employment, international, scholarship.

Birkbeck, University of London vs University of South Wales at a glance

Birkbeck, University of London and University of South Wales both teach 31 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Law and Psychology (General). Birkbeck, University of London offers 361 courses across 69 subject areas; University of South Wales offers 331 courses across 63 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £16,200 at University of South Wales: University of South Wales is about £2,300 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £17,900 at University of South Wales: University of South Wales is about £2,950 a year cheaper.

Of the 14 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Birkbeck, University of London is higher in 14 and University of South Wales in 0. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £38,000 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, against £19,500 from University of South Wales. Of the 16 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of South Wales is higher in 10 and Birkbeck, University of London in 4, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#354
QS World
#1201
#301
THE World
#1201
—
Guardian UK
#83
1823
Established
1913
No
Russell Group
No
Bronze
TEF Rating
—

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 South Wales

85.1%
86.7%

Satisfaction

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

£32,500
£27,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.6%
84.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

12%
22%

International

International student share

361
331

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

16
23

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

South Wales

71 countries · 22% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria17.6%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh16.6%
  • 🇮🇳India16.1%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan15.7%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka6.6%

Subjects

31 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 South Wales

Also taught at both: Marketing, Journalism, Drama & Theatre, Finance & Actuarial Science, Social Sciences (General), Software Engineering, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Chemistry, Biology, Information Systems & Data Science, English Studies, Statistics, Human Geography & Environment, Human Resource Management, Social Policy & Public Policy.

Only at Birkbeck, University of London

Only at University of South Wales

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 South Wales
£16,200

University of South Wales is about £2,300 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Birkbeck, University of London
£20,850
University of South Wales
£17,900

University of South Wales is about £2,950 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 South Wales

  • Business & Management (General)

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£19,000
    76%Satisfaction94%

  • Law

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£20,000
    94%Satisfaction96%

  • Psychology (General)

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£19,500
    84%Satisfaction90%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    88%Satisfaction83%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
    86%Satisfaction82%

  • Counselling & Psychotherapy

    No dataSalary (3 years)£22,500
    90%Satisfaction98%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    95%Satisfaction95%

  • Computer Science

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£19,500
    72%Satisfaction90%

  • Accounting

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£21,500
    75%Satisfaction90%

  • Business Studies

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
    98%Satisfaction91%

  • Marketing

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£19,000
    75%Satisfaction94%

  • Journalism

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£19,500
    87%Satisfaction80%

Showing the 12 largest of 16 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 South Wales

USW Postgraduate Refugee Sanctuary Scheme

100%

Deadline: N/A

USW Postgraduate Sanctuary Scholarship 2026/2027

100%

Deadline: Jul 2026

USW Postgraduate Sanctuary Scholarship 2027/2028

100%

Deadline: Jul 2027

USW Refugee Sanctuary Scheme

100%

Deadline: N/A

Undergraduate Sanctuary Scholarship 2026/2027

100%

Deadline: Jul 2026

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Birkbeck, University of London vs University of South Wales: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £16,200 at University of South Wales: University of South Wales is about £2,300 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £17,900 at University of South Wales: University of South Wales is about £2,950 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 South Wales?

Both universities teach 31 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Law, Psychology (General), Healthcare Science, Sociology & Criminology, Media & Film Studies, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Politics & International Relations, History, Computer Science, Teacher Training, Accounting and 19 more.

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

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £29,500 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, and £19,000 from University of South Wales. Student satisfaction with teaching is 76% at Birkbeck, University of London and 94% at University of South Wales. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Birkbeck, University of London or University of South Wales offer more courses?

Birkbeck, University of London lists 361 courses on CourseOptions and University of South Wales lists 331 courses.

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

Birkbeck, University of London teaches 38 subject areas that University of South Wales does not, including Physical Geography & Climate, Ancient Languages, Economics, History of Art & Design, Creative Writing, Biochemistry, Mathematics, Philosophy and 30 more.

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

University of South Wales teaches 32 subject areas that Birkbeck, University of London does not, including Aerospace Engineering, Nursing (General), Sport & Exercise Sciences, Building & Construction, Film Production & Cinematography, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Childhood & Youth Studies, Civil Engineering and 24 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 South Wales331 courses · 23 scholarshipsBrowse Courses