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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 York

York · QS World #158

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.

2/11

Birkbeck

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

9/11

York

scored higher in 9 categories

Quick Verdict

University of York leads in 9 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, TEF, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary, courses). Birkbeck, University of London is ahead on established, scholarship.

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

Birkbeck, University of London and University of York both teach 51 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Computer Science and Politics & International Relations. Birkbeck, University of London offers 361 courses across 69 subject areas; University of York offers 532 courses across 82 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £27,500 at University of York: Birkbeck, University of London is about £9,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £27,250 at University of York: Birkbeck, University of London is about £6,400 a year cheaper.

Of the 21 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of York is higher in 11 and Birkbeck, University of London in 9, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Economics: £23,000 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, against £35,500 from University of York. Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Birkbeck, University of London is higher in 14 and University of York in 8.

World & National Rankings

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

#354
QS World
#158
#301
THE World
#154
—
Guardian UK
#20
1823
Established
1963
No
Russell Group
Yes
Bronze
TEF Rating
Gold

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 York

85.1%
87.1%

Satisfaction

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

£32,500
£34,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.6%
80.2%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

12%
18.6%

International

International student share

361
532

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

16
3

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

York

97 countries · 18.6% international

  • 🇨🇳China44.1%
  • 🇮🇳India7.2%
  • 🇺🇸United States5.7%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.3%
  • 🌐Korea (South)2.2%

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 York

Also taught at both: Management, Social Policy & Public Policy, Ancient Languages, Linguistics, Psychology (General), Accounting, Finance & Actuarial Science, Biochemistry, Human Geography & Environment, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Biology, Business Studies, Creative Writing, Liberal Arts, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Environmental Sciences, Drama & Theatre, French, German & Scandinavian Studies, Marketing, Humanities, Social Sciences (General), English Literature, Healthcare Science, Heritage & Conservation, International Development, Applied Psychology, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Genetics & Genomics, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Teacher Training, Design & Fashion, Information Systems & Data Science, Clinical & Health Psychology, Spanish & Portuguese.

Only at Birkbeck, University of London

Only at University of York

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 York
£27,500

Birkbeck, University of London is about £9,000 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Birkbeck, University of London
£20,850
University of York
£27,250

Birkbeck, University of London is about £6,400 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 York

  • Business & Management (General)

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    76%Satisfaction80%

  • Computer Science

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£40,000
    72%Satisfaction73%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    96%Satisfaction91%

  • Law

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    94%Satisfaction89%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    88%Satisfaction90%

  • Mathematics

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    94%Satisfaction86%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    95%Satisfaction93%

  • Philosophy

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    91%Satisfaction89%

  • History of Art & Design

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£21,500
    89%Satisfaction84%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)No data
    86%Satisfaction88%

  • Physical Geography & Climate

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    84%Satisfaction82%

  • Archaeology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    97%Satisfaction84%

Showing the 12 largest of 22 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 York

Care Leavers and Estranged Students Bursary

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

York Bursary

£1,000

Deadline: N/A

York Futures Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

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

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £27,500 at University of York: Birkbeck, University of London is about £9,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £27,250 at University of York: Birkbeck, University of London is about £6,400 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 York?

Both universities teach 51 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Computer Science, Politics & International Relations, Law, Sociology & Criminology, Mathematics, History, Philosophy, Chemistry, History of Art & Design, Media & Film Studies, Physical Geography & Climate and 39 more.

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

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £29,500 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, and £30,500 from University of York. Student satisfaction with teaching is 76% at Birkbeck, University of London and 80% at University of York. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of York lists 532 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 York?

Birkbeck, University of London teaches 18 subject areas that University of York does not, including Counselling & Psychotherapy, Journalism, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Classical Studies, Asian Languages & Studies, Geology & Earth Sciences, Information & Library Studies, GIS & Remote Sensing and 10 more.

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

University of York teaches 31 subject areas that Birkbeck, University of London does not, including Physics, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Music, Education Studies, Biomedical Sciences, Film Production & Cinematography, Forensic Science, Childhood & Youth Studies and 23 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 York532 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses