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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.

G
Goldsmiths, University of London

London · QS World #701

U
University of Birmingham

Birmingham · QS World #68

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 12 datapoints

We looked at 12 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

3/12

Goldsmiths

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

9/12

Birmingham

scored higher in 9 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Birmingham leads in 9 of 12 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, TEF, satisfaction, employment, graduate salary, courses). Goldsmiths, University of London is ahead on established, international, scholarship.

Goldsmiths, University of London vs University of Birmingham at a glance

Goldsmiths, University of London and University of Birmingham both teach 28 subject areas, the largest being Media & Film Studies, Politics & International Relations and Law. Goldsmiths, University of London offers 291 courses across 39 subject areas; University of Birmingham offers 663 courses across 101 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,000 a year at Goldsmiths, University of London and £27,090 at University of Birmingham: Goldsmiths, University of London is about £5,090 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,000 a year at Goldsmiths, University of London and £23,390 at University of Birmingham: Goldsmiths, University of London is about £1,390 a year cheaper.

Of the 13 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Birmingham is higher in 10 and Goldsmiths, University of London in 3. The widest gap is in Economics: £25,000 three years after graduating from Goldsmiths, University of London, against £34,500 from University of Birmingham. Of the 18 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Birmingham is higher in 12 and Goldsmiths, University of London in 6.

World & National Rankings

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

#701
QS World
#68
#501
THE World
#98
#84
Guardian UK
#18
1891
Established
1900
No
Russell Group
Yes
Bronze
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.

Goldsmiths, University of London

University of Birmingham

85.4%
86.7%

Satisfaction

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

£29,600
£38,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83%
83.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

40.3%
31.2%

International

International student share

291
663

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

29
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.

Goldsmiths

59 countries · 40.3% international

  • 🇨🇳China54.1%
  • 🇺🇸United States7.4%
  • 🌐Korea (South)4.7%
  • 🇮🇳India4.4%
  • 🌐Taiwan2.2%
VS

Birmingham

104 countries · 31.2% international

  • 🇨🇳China55.7%
  • 🇮🇳India9.4%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.2%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.8%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia2%

Subjects

28 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.

Goldsmiths, University of London

University of Birmingham

Also taught at both: Counselling & Psychotherapy, Management, Ancient Languages, Mathematics, English Studies, Theology & Religious Studies, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Creative Writing, Drama & Theatre, Applied Psychology, Childhood & Youth Studies, Clinical & Health Psychology, Film Production & Cinematography.

Only at Goldsmiths, University of London

Only at University of Birmingham

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

Goldsmiths, University of London
£22,000
University of Birmingham
£27,090

Goldsmiths, University of London is about £5,090 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Goldsmiths, University of London
£22,000
University of Birmingham
£23,390

Goldsmiths, University of London is about £1,390 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.

Goldsmiths, University of London

University of Birmingham

  • Media & Film Studies

    £25,000Salary (3 years)No data
    83%Satisfaction95%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    87%Satisfaction86%

  • Law

    No dataSalary (3 years)£27,500
    96%Satisfaction83%

  • History

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    98%Satisfaction89%

  • Computer Science

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£40,000
    81%Satisfaction93%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    74%Satisfaction83%

  • Psychology (General)

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    79%Satisfaction90%

  • Music

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    85%Satisfaction89%

  • Marketing

    No dataSalary (3 years)£35,000
    71%Satisfaction79%

  • Education Studies

    £22,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    77%Satisfaction83%

  • History of Art & Design

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    95%Satisfaction90%

  • Economics

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£34,500
    87%Satisfaction85%

Showing the 12 largest of 18 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Goldsmiths, University of London

ESRC/SENSS Doctoral Studentships

£22,780

Deadline: N/A

Migrant Futures Doctoral Studentships

£22,780

Deadline: N/A

Academics at Risk Scholarship

£15,000

Deadline: N/A

Rob Stringer Scholarship

£12,000

Deadline: N/A

Generation Delta Studentships

100%

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

University of Birmingham

Enhanced Chamberlain Award

£3,500

Deadline: N/A

University Music Scholarships

£3,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

University Music Scholarships

£1,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Goldsmiths, University of London vs University of Birmingham: common questions

Is Goldsmiths, University of London or University of Birmingham cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,000 a year at Goldsmiths, University of London and £27,090 at University of Birmingham: Goldsmiths, University of London is about £5,090 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,000 a year at Goldsmiths, University of London and £23,390 at University of Birmingham: Goldsmiths, University of London is about £1,390 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 Goldsmiths, University of London and University of Birmingham?

Both universities teach 28 subject areas: Media & Film Studies, Politics & International Relations, Law, History, Computer Science, Sociology & Criminology, Psychology (General), Music, Marketing, Education Studies, History of Art & Design, Economics and 16 more.

Is Goldsmiths, University of London or University of Birmingham better for Politics & International Relations?

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £24,500 three years after graduating from Goldsmiths, University of London, and £28,000 from University of Birmingham. Student satisfaction with teaching is 87% at Goldsmiths, University of London and 86% at University of Birmingham. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Goldsmiths, University of London or University of Birmingham offer more courses?

University of Birmingham lists 663 courses on CourseOptions and Goldsmiths, University of London lists 291 courses.

What can you study at Goldsmiths, University of London but not at University of Birmingham?

Goldsmiths, University of London teaches 11 subject areas that University of Birmingham does not, including Personal & Professional Development, Fine Art, Design & Fashion, Games Design & Computer Animation, Welsh Studies, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Journalism, Architecture and 3 more.

What can you study at University of Birmingham but not at Goldsmiths, University of London?

University of Birmingham teaches 73 subject areas that Goldsmiths, University of London does not, including Health & Social Care, Philosophy, Teacher Training, Civil Engineering, Geology & Earth Sciences, International Development, Physics, Sport & Exercise Sciences and 65 more.

Ready to explore courses?

Browse available courses, check entry requirements, and find scholarships at each university.

G
Goldsmiths, University of London291 courses · 29 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Birmingham663 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses