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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 Sunderland

Sunderland · Guardian UK #86

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

Sunderland

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, scholarship). University of Sunderland is ahead on TEF, satisfaction, employment, international.

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

Birkbeck, University of London and University of Sunderland both teach 28 subject areas, the largest being Law, Media & Film Studies and Sociology & Criminology. Birkbeck, University of London offers 361 courses across 69 subject areas; University of Sunderland offers 193 courses across 56 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £17,500 at University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland is about £1,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £17,000 at University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland is about £3,850 a year cheaper.

Of the 15 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Birkbeck, University of London is higher in 15 and University of Sunderland in 0. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £38,000 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, against £25,500 from University of Sunderland. Of the 16 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Sunderland is higher in 13 and Birkbeck, University of London in 3.

World & National Rankings

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

#354
QS World
—
#301
THE World
#1501
—
Guardian UK
#86
1823
Established
1901
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 Sunderland

85.1%
89.8%

Satisfaction

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

£32,500
£24,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.6%
81.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

12%
36.5%

International

International student share

361
193

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

16
0

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

Sunderland

56 countries · 36.5% international

  • 🌐Nepal29.5%
  • 🇮🇳India17.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria16.6%
  • 🇨🇳China7.3%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan6.9%

Subjects

28 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 Sunderland

Also taught at both: Marketing, Design & Fashion, Geology & Earth Sciences, Mathematics, Chemistry, Applied Psychology, English Studies, Healthcare Science, Social Sciences (General), Teacher Training, Software Engineering, Human Resource Management, Clinical & Health Psychology.

Only at Birkbeck, University of London

Only at University of Sunderland

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 Sunderland
£17,500

University of Sunderland is about £1,000 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Birkbeck, University of London
£20,850
University of Sunderland
£17,000

University of Sunderland is about £3,850 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 Sunderland

  • Law

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£19,000
    94%Satisfaction95%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£18,000
    86%Satisfaction93%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£18,500
    88%Satisfaction87%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£20,000
    76%Satisfaction92%

  • Computer Science

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    72%Satisfaction78%

  • Psychology (General)

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
    84%Satisfaction88%

  • Business Studies

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    98%Satisfaction91%

  • Journalism

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£18,500
    87%Satisfaction98%

  • Economics

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£18,500
    88%Satisfaction89%

  • Accounting

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    75%Satisfaction92%

  • Biochemistry

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    91%Satisfaction90%

  • Counselling & Psychotherapy

    No dataSalary (3 years)£29,000
    90%Satisfaction93%

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 Sunderland

View all scholarships →

FAQ

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

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £17,500 at University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland is about £1,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £17,000 at University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland is about £3,850 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 Sunderland?

Both universities teach 28 subject areas: Law, Media & Film Studies, Sociology & Criminology, Business & Management (General), Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Computer Science, Psychology (General), Business Studies, Journalism, Economics, Accounting, Biochemistry and 16 more.

Is Birkbeck, University of London or University of Sunderland better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £22,500 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, and £19,000 from University of Sunderland. Student satisfaction with teaching is 94% at Birkbeck, University of London and 95% at University of Sunderland. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

Birkbeck, University of London lists 361 courses on CourseOptions and University of Sunderland lists 193 courses.

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

Birkbeck, University of London teaches 41 subject areas that University of Sunderland does not, including Politics & International Relations, History, Physical Geography & Climate, Ancient Languages, History of Art & Design, Creative Writing, Philosophy, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning and 33 more.

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

University of Sunderland teaches 28 subject areas that Birkbeck, University of London does not, including Film Production & Cinematography, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Childhood & Youth Studies, Fine Art, Health & Social Care, Nursing (General), Performing Arts (General) and 20 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 Sunderland193 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses