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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

Y
York St John University

York · Guardian UK #105

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

York St John

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). York St John University is ahead on TEF, satisfaction, employment, international.

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

Birkbeck, University of London and York St John University both teach 29 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Sociology & Criminology and Law. Birkbeck, University of London offers 361 courses across 69 subject areas; York St John University offers 199 courses across 49 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £14,000 at York St John University: York St John University is about £4,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £11,800 at York St John University: York St John University is about £9,050 a year cheaper.

Of the 16 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Birkbeck, University of London is higher in 16 and York St John University in 0. The widest gap is in Creative Writing: £31,500 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, against £19,500 from York St John University. Of the 21 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, York St John University is higher in 13 and Birkbeck, University of London in 8.

World & National Rankings

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

#354
QS World
—
#301
THE World
#1001
—
Guardian UK
#105
1823
Established
1841
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

York St John University

85.1%
86.8%

Satisfaction

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

£32,500
£27,000

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.6%
84.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

12%
37.1%

International

International student share

361
199

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

16
1

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 St John

35 countries · 37.1% international

  • 🌐Nepal33.8%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria25.4%
  • 🇮🇳India20.5%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan4.1%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka4%

Subjects

29 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

York St John University

Also taught at both: Accounting, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Business Studies, Design & Fashion, Asian Languages & Studies, Journalism, Teacher Training, Drama & Theatre, Applied Psychology, Human Geography & Environment, Information Systems & Data Science, Personal & Professional Development, Software Engineering, Human Resource Management.

Only at Birkbeck, University of London

Only at York St John University

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
York St John University
£14,000

York St John University is about £4,500 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Birkbeck, University of London
£20,850
York St John University
£11,800

York St John University is about £9,050 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

York St John University

  • Politics & International Relations

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    96%Satisfaction89%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    88%Satisfaction89%

  • Law

    £22,500Salary (3 years)No data
    94%Satisfaction93%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£18,000
    86%Satisfaction91%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    76%Satisfaction71%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£19,000
    95%Satisfaction98%

  • Physical Geography & Climate

    £29,500Salary (3 years)No data
    84%Satisfaction93%

  • Counselling & Psychotherapy

    No dataSalary (3 years)£25,000
    90%Satisfaction86%

  • Creative Writing

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    93%Satisfaction98%

  • English Literature

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£19,500
    98%Satisfaction97%

  • Psychology (General)

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    84%Satisfaction90%

  • Economics

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    88%Satisfaction71%

Showing the 12 largest of 21 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 →

York St John University

Sanctuary Scholarships

£4,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

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

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £14,000 at York St John University: York St John University is about £4,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £11,800 at York St John University: York St John University is about £9,050 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 York St John University?

Both universities teach 29 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Sociology & Criminology, Law, Media & Film Studies, Business & Management (General), History, Physical Geography & Climate, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Creative Writing, English Literature, Psychology (General), Economics and 17 more.

Is Birkbeck, University of London or York St John University better for Politics & International Relations?

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £23,000 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, and £20,000 from York St John University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 96% at Birkbeck, University of London and 89% at York St John University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

Birkbeck, University of London lists 361 courses on CourseOptions and York St John University lists 199 courses.

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

Birkbeck, University of London teaches 40 subject areas that York St John University does not, including Ancient Languages, History of Art & Design, Biochemistry, Mathematics, Philosophy, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Classical Studies, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology and 32 more.

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

York St John University teaches 20 subject areas that Birkbeck, University of London does not, including Sport & Exercise Sciences, Music, Theology & Religious Studies, Childhood & Youth Studies, Education Studies, Film Production & Cinematography, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, English Language and 12 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
Y
York St John University199 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses