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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 Southampton

Southampton · QS World #111

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 11 datapoints

We looked at 11 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

1/11

Birkbeck

scored higher in 1 category

VS

10/11

Southampton

scored higher in 10 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Southampton leads in 10 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, TEF, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Birkbeck, University of London is ahead on established.

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

Birkbeck, University of London and University of Southampton both teach 51 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Sociology & Criminology and Media & Film Studies. Birkbeck, University of London offers 361 courses across 69 subject areas; University of Southampton offers 545 courses across 91 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £26,000 at University of Southampton: Birkbeck, University of London is about £7,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £31,200 at University of Southampton: Birkbeck, University of London is about £10,350 a year cheaper.

Of the 25 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Southampton is higher in 16 and Birkbeck, University of London in 9. The widest gap is in Economics: £23,000 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, against £34,000 from University of Southampton. Of the 27 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Southampton is higher in 14 and Birkbeck, University of London 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
#111
#301
THE World
#129
—
Guardian UK
#16
1823
Established
1862
No
Russell Group
Yes
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 Southampton

85.1%
87%

Satisfaction

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

£32,500
£37,200

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.6%
82.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

12%
35.1%

International

International student share

361
545

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

16
52

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

Southampton

103 countries · 35.1% international

  • 🇨🇳China63.5%
  • 🇮🇳India4.8%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia2.8%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia2.6%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.5%

Subjects

51 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 Southampton

Also taught at both: Mathematics, Business Studies, Management, Psychology (General), Environmental Sciences, Philosophy, Chemistry, Design & Fashion, Marketing, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biochemistry, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Creative Writing, Healthcare Science, Software Engineering, Social Policy & Public Policy, Statistics, Social Sciences (General), Teacher Training, Clinical & Health Psychology, English Studies, Information & Library Studies, Liberal Arts, Applied Psychology, Biology, Human Geography & Environment, Information Systems & Data Science, International Development, Business Information Systems, Heritage & Conservation, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Personal & Professional Development, Biological Sciences (General), Computing & IT, Human Resource Management, Humanities.

Only at Birkbeck, University of London

Only at University of Southampton

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 Southampton
£26,000

Birkbeck, University of London is about £7,500 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Birkbeck, University of London
£20,850
University of Southampton
£31,200

Birkbeck, University of London is about £10,350 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 Southampton

  • Business & Management (General)

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£31,500
    76%Satisfaction80%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    88%Satisfaction86%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    86%Satisfaction87%

  • Law

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£28,500
    94%Satisfaction87%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£39,500
    78%Satisfaction84%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    95%Satisfaction91%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    96%Satisfaction85%

  • Ancient Languages

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    85%Satisfaction94%

  • Computer Science

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£47,000
    72%Satisfaction80%

  • Economics

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£34,000
    88%Satisfaction85%

  • Geology & Earth Sciences

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    93%Satisfaction89%

  • Accounting

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    75%Satisfaction91%

Showing the 12 largest of 27 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 Southampton

Horizon Europe fee waiver

100%

Deadline: N/A

Cowrie Foundation Scholarship

£8,000

Deadline: N/A

Xiamen University PhD Scholarships

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sociology Criminology International Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Southampton Ageing & Gerontology Talent Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

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

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £26,000 at University of Southampton: Birkbeck, University of London is about £7,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £31,200 at University of Southampton: Birkbeck, University of London is about £10,350 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 Southampton?

Both universities teach 51 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Sociology & Criminology, Media & Film Studies, Law, Finance & Actuarial Science, History, Politics & International Relations, Ancient Languages, Computer Science, Economics, Geology & Earth Sciences, Accounting and 39 more.

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

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £29,500 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, and £31,500 from University of Southampton. Student satisfaction with teaching is 76% at Birkbeck, University of London and 80% at University of Southampton. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Southampton lists 545 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 Southampton?

Birkbeck, University of London teaches 18 subject areas that University of Southampton does not, including History of Art & Design, Journalism, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Classical Studies, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Asian Languages & Studies, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Drama & Theatre and 10 more.

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

University of Southampton teaches 40 subject areas that Birkbeck, University of London does not, including Electronic & Electrical Engineering, General Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Marine Engineering & Technology and 32 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 Southampton545 courses · 52 scholarshipsBrowse Courses