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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 West London

London · Guardian UK #108

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.

6/9

Birkbeck

scored higher in 6 categories

VS

3/9

West London

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

Birkbeck, University of London leads in 6 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, established, employment, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of West London is ahead on TEF, satisfaction, international.

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

Birkbeck, University of London and University of West London both teach 35 subject areas, the largest being Law, Sociology & Criminology and Hospitality, Events & Tourism. Birkbeck, University of London offers 361 courses across 69 subject areas; University of West London offers 338 courses across 68 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £16,750 at University of West London: University of West London is about £1,750 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £17,250 at University of West London: University of West London is about £3,600 a year cheaper.

Of the 15 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Birkbeck, University of London is higher in 10 and University of West London in 4, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Business Information Systems: £38,000 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, against £26,500 from University of West London. Of the 18 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of West London is higher in 10 and Birkbeck, University of London in 6, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#354
QS World
—
#301
THE World
#1201
—
Guardian UK
#108
1823
Established
1860
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 West London

85.1%
88.2%

Satisfaction

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

£32,500
£29,600

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.6%
78.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

12%
27.1%

International

International student share

361
338

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

West London

64 countries · 27.1% international

  • 🇮🇳India47.8%
  • 🌐Nepal33.1%
  • 🇨🇳China2%
  • 🇺🇸United States1.8%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan1.6%

Subjects

35 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 West London

Also taught at both: Biochemistry, Management, Creative Writing, Genetics & Genomics, Biological Sciences (General), Finance & Actuarial Science, Journalism, Marketing, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Information & Library Studies, Social Sciences (General), Software Engineering, Human Resource Management, Applied Psychology, Business Information Systems, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Planning & Housing, Clinical & Health Psychology, Computing & IT, Social Policy & Public Policy.

Only at Birkbeck, University of London

Only at University of West 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 West London
£16,750

University of West London is about £1,750 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Birkbeck, University of London
£20,850
University of West London
£17,250

University of West London is about £3,600 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 West London

  • Law

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    94%Satisfaction85%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    88%Satisfaction88%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    86%Satisfaction94%

  • Business Studies

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    98%Satisfaction88%

  • Computer Science

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    72%Satisfaction85%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    96%Satisfaction88%

  • Economics

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    88%Satisfaction78%

  • Drama & Theatre

    No dataSalary (3 years)£18,500
    75%Satisfaction92%

  • Psychology (General)

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£21,500
    84%Satisfaction91%

  • Accounting

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    75%Satisfaction96%

  • Mathematics

    £27,000Salary (3 years)No data
    94%Satisfaction92%

  • Creative Writing

    £31,500Salary (3 years)No data
    93%Satisfaction75%

Showing the 12 largest of 18 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 West London

View all scholarships →

FAQ

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

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £16,750 at University of West London: University of West London is about £1,750 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £17,250 at University of West London: University of West London is about £3,600 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 West London?

Both universities teach 35 subject areas: Law, Sociology & Criminology, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Media & Film Studies, Business Studies, Business & Management (General), Computer Science, Design & Fashion, Politics & International Relations, Economics, Drama & Theatre, Psychology (General) and 23 more.

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

Law graduates earn a median £22,500 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, and £22,500 from University of West London. Student satisfaction with teaching is 94% at Birkbeck, University of London and 85% at University of West London. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

Birkbeck, University of London lists 361 courses on CourseOptions and University of West London lists 338 courses.

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

Birkbeck, University of London teaches 34 subject areas that University of West London does not, including History, Physical Geography & Climate, Ancient Languages, History of Art & Design, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Philosophy, Classical Studies, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology and 26 more.

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

University of West London teaches 33 subject areas that Birkbeck, University of London does not, including Music, Civil Engineering, Adult Nursing, Building & Construction, Film Production & Cinematography, Games Design & Computer Animation, Physics, Aerospace Engineering and 25 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 West London338 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses