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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 the Arts London

London · QS World #851

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.

7/9

Birkbeck

scored higher in 7 categories

VS

2/9

Arts London

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

Birkbeck, University of London leads in 7 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of the Arts London is ahead on employment, international.

Birkbeck, University of London vs University of the Arts London at a glance

Birkbeck, University of London and University of the Arts London both teach 17 subject areas, the largest being Design & Fashion, Media & Film Studies and Business & Management (General). Birkbeck, University of London offers 361 courses across 69 subject areas; University of the Arts London offers 183 courses across 29 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £30,890 at University of the Arts London: Birkbeck, University of London is about £12,390 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £30,890 at University of the Arts London: Birkbeck, University of London is about £10,040 a year cheaper.

Of the 4 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Birkbeck, University of London is higher in 3 and University of the Arts London in 0, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £38,000 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, against £26,500 from University of the Arts London. Of the 5 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of the Arts London is higher in 3 and Birkbeck, University of London in 2.

World & National Rankings

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

#354
QS World
#851
#301
THE World
#1501
—
Guardian UK
#52
1823
Established
1986
No
Russell Group
No
Bronze
TEF Rating
Bronze

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 the Arts London

85.1%
83%

Satisfaction

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

£32,500
£28,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.6%
80.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

12%
54%

International

International student share

361
183

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

Arts London

84 countries · 54% international

  • 🇨🇳China55.7%
  • 🇮🇳India6%
  • 🇺🇸United States4.4%
  • 🌐Korea (South)3.9%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong3.3%

Subjects

17 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 the Arts London

Also taught at both: Biology, Computing & IT.

Only at Birkbeck, University of London

Only at University of the Arts London

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 the Arts London
£30,890

Birkbeck, University of London is about £12,390 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Birkbeck, University of London
£20,850
University of the Arts London
£30,890

Birkbeck, University of London is about £10,040 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 the Arts London

  • Media & Film Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    86%Satisfaction80%

  • Computer Science

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    72%Satisfaction80%

  • Drama & Theatre

    No dataSalary (3 years)£20,500
    75%Satisfaction76%

  • Journalism

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    87%Satisfaction86%

  • Marketing

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    75%Satisfaction79%

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 the Arts London

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Birkbeck, University of London vs University of the Arts London: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £30,890 at University of the Arts London: Birkbeck, University of London is about £12,390 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £30,890 at University of the Arts London: Birkbeck, University of London is about £10,040 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 the Arts London?

Both universities teach 17 subject areas: Design & Fashion, Media & Film Studies, Business & Management (General), Computer Science, Management, Drama & Theatre, Economics, Journalism, Psychology (General), Creative Writing, Marketing, Business Studies and 5 more.

Is Birkbeck, University of London or University of the Arts London better for Media & Film Studies?

Media & Film Studies graduates earn a median £24,000 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, and £21,000 from University of the Arts London. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at Birkbeck, University of London and 80% at University of the Arts London. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Birkbeck, University of London or University of the Arts London offer more courses?

Birkbeck, University of London lists 361 courses on CourseOptions and University of the Arts London lists 183 courses.

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

Birkbeck, University of London teaches 52 subject areas that University of the Arts London does not, including Sociology & Criminology, Law, Politics & International Relations, History, Physical Geography & Climate, Ancient Languages, History of Art & Design, Accounting and 44 more.

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

University of the Arts London teaches 12 subject areas that Birkbeck, University of London does not, including Film Production & Cinematography, Music, Fine Art, Cultural Studies, Applied Computing, Games Design & Computer Animation, Architecture, Performing Arts (General) and 4 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 the Arts London183 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses