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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 Surrey

Guildford · QS World #246

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.

2/10

Birkbeck

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

8/10

Surrey

scored higher in 8 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Surrey leads in 8 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, TEF, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary, scholarship). Birkbeck, University of London is ahead on established, courses.

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

Birkbeck, University of London and University of Surrey both teach 30 subject areas, the largest being Law, Business & Management (General) and Sociology & Criminology. Birkbeck, University of London offers 361 courses across 69 subject areas; University of Surrey offers 271 courses across 62 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £30,000 at University of Surrey: Birkbeck, University of London is about £11,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £25,900 at University of Surrey: Birkbeck, University of London is about £5,050 a year cheaper.

Of the 12 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Surrey is higher in 11 and Birkbeck, University of London in 0, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Economics: £23,000 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, against £40,000 from University of Surrey. Of the 13 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Surrey is higher in 8 and Birkbeck, University of London in 4, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#354
QS World
#246
#301
THE World
#201
—
Guardian UK
#24
1823
Established
1966
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 Surrey

85.1%
88.7%

Satisfaction

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

£32,500
£38,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.6%
83.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

12%
20.2%

International

International student share

361
271

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

16
36

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

Surrey

90 countries · 20.2% international

  • 🇮🇳India25%
  • 🇨🇳China8.3%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5.4%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia5.1%
  • 🇦🇪United Arab Emirates3.2%

Subjects

30 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 Surrey

Also taught at both: Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Business Studies, Creative Writing, English Literature, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Marketing, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Computing & IT, Geology & Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Environment, Biological Sciences (General), Microbiology & Cell Biology, Clinical & Health Psychology, French, Human Resource Management.

Only at Birkbeck, University of London

Only at University of Surrey

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 Surrey
£30,000

Birkbeck, University of London is about £11,500 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Birkbeck, University of London
£20,850
University of Surrey
£25,900

Birkbeck, University of London is about £5,050 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 Surrey

  • Law

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    94%Satisfaction94%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    76%Satisfaction83%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    88%Satisfaction92%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    96%Satisfaction90%

  • Economics

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£40,000
    88%Satisfaction89%

  • Computer Science

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£41,500
    72%Satisfaction78%

  • Mathematics

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£34,000
    94%Satisfaction86%

  • Psychology (General)

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    84%Satisfaction87%

  • Accounting

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    75%Satisfaction86%

  • Drama & Theatre

    No dataSalary (3 years)£23,000
    75%Satisfaction83%

  • Biochemistry

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    91%Satisfaction86%

  • English Literature

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    98%Satisfaction92%

Showing the 12 largest of 13 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 Surrey

The Professor GQ Max Lu Global Scholarship

£30,000

Deadline: N/A

Machine learning enhanced muon imaging for nuclear waste monitoring and safeguards

£26,000

Deadline: Jul 2026

Nanoscale standardisation of DNA damage for Emerging Isotopes in Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection

£26,000

Deadline: Jul 2026

Understanding the dynamics of space radiation hazards using measurements from novel in-situ detectors

£26,000

Deadline: Jul 2026

AI for proton-acoustics for real-time 3D dosimetry of proton therapy

£25,805

Deadline: Jul 2026

View all scholarships →

FAQ

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

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £30,000 at University of Surrey: Birkbeck, University of London is about £11,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £25,900 at University of Surrey: Birkbeck, University of London is about £5,050 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 Surrey?

Both universities teach 30 subject areas: Law, Business & Management (General), Sociology & Criminology, Politics & International Relations, Management, Economics, Computer Science, Mathematics, Chemistry, Psychology (General), Accounting, Hospitality, Events & Tourism and 18 more.

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

Law graduates earn a median £22,500 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, and £27,000 from University of Surrey. Student satisfaction with teaching is 94% at Birkbeck, University of London and 94% at University of Surrey. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

Birkbeck, University of London lists 361 courses on CourseOptions and University of Surrey lists 271 courses.

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

Birkbeck, University of London teaches 39 subject areas that University of Surrey does not, including Media & Film Studies, History, Physical Geography & Climate, Ancient Languages, History of Art & Design, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Journalism, Philosophy and 31 more.

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

University of Surrey teaches 32 subject areas that Birkbeck, University of London does not, including Physics, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Music, Nutrition & Dietetics, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Biomedical Sciences, Chemical 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 Surrey271 courses · 36 scholarshipsBrowse Courses