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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.

A
Aston University, Birmingham

Birmingham · QS World #416

L
Lancaster University

Lancaster · QS World #164

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 10 datapoints

We looked at 10 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

3/10

Aston

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

7/10

Lancaster

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

Lancaster University leads in 7 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, satisfaction, international, courses, scholarship). Aston University, Birmingham is ahead on established, employment, graduate salary.

Aston University, Birmingham vs Lancaster University at a glance

Aston University, Birmingham and Lancaster University both teach 41 subject areas, the largest being Mathematics, Business & Management (General) and Biomedical Sciences. Aston University, Birmingham offers 169 courses across 51 subject areas; Lancaster University offers 526 courses across 71 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £28,680 at Lancaster University: Aston University, Birmingham is about £6,100 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,000 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £24,300 at Lancaster University: Aston University, Birmingham is about £300 a year cheaper.

Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Aston University, Birmingham is higher in 10 and Lancaster University in 9, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Economics: £35,500 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, against £31,000 from Lancaster University. Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Lancaster University is higher in 13 and Aston University, Birmingham in 9.

World & National Rankings

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

#416
QS World
#164
#401
THE World
#184
#39
Guardian UK
#10
1895
Established
1964
No
Russell Group
No
Gold
TEF Rating
Gold

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Aston University, Birmingham

Lancaster University

85.2%
88.5%

Satisfaction

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

£37,600
£35,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.5%
79.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.1%
22.4%

International

International student share

169
526

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
11

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.

Aston

67 countries · 22.1% international

  • 🇮🇳India40.8%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria10.2%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan5.9%
  • 🌐Kuwait4.2%
  • 🇻🇳Vietnam4%
VS

Lancaster

83 countries · 22.4% international

  • 🇨🇳China41.1%
  • 🇮🇳India9.8%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5.9%
  • 🇪🇸Spain3.8%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.1%

Subjects

41 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.

Aston University, Birmingham

Lancaster University

Also taught at both: Psychology (General), Accounting, Finance & Actuarial Science, Mechanical Engineering, English Language, History, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Software Engineering, Information Systems & Data Science, Statistics, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biochemistry, Design & Fashion, Biological Sciences (General), Building & Construction, Civil Engineering, Health & Social Care, Human Resource Management, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Technology & Logistics, Clinical & Health Psychology, English Studies, Management, Medicine, Public Health & Epidemiology, Mental Health Nursing.

Only at Aston University, Birmingham

Only at Lancaster 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

Aston University, Birmingham
£22,580
Lancaster University
£28,680

Aston University, Birmingham is about £6,100 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Aston University, Birmingham
£24,000
Lancaster University
£24,300

Aston University, Birmingham is about £300 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.

Aston University, Birmingham

Lancaster University

  • Mathematics

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
    94%Satisfaction89%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    90%Satisfaction92%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    81%Satisfaction90%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    89%Satisfaction92%

  • Economics

    £35,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    95%Satisfaction86%

  • Marketing

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
    79%Satisfaction90%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    87%Satisfaction85%

  • Computer Science

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£35,000
    85%Satisfaction80%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    64%Satisfaction68%

  • Law

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    89%Satisfaction90%

  • General Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    75%Satisfaction87%

  • Psychology (General)

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    92%Satisfaction87%

Showing the 12 largest of 22 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Aston University, Birmingham

View all scholarships →

Lancaster University

India Scholarship – Postgraduate

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

LPDP Scholarship 2026

100%

Deadline: N/A

Lancaster Sanctuary Fellowship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Master's Scholarship for Black British Students

100%

Deadline: N/A

Fulgoni Scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Aston University, Birmingham vs Lancaster University: common questions

Is Aston University, Birmingham or Lancaster University cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £28,680 at Lancaster University: Aston University, Birmingham is about £6,100 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,000 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £24,300 at Lancaster University: Aston University, Birmingham is about £300 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 Aston University, Birmingham and Lancaster University?

Both universities teach 41 subject areas: Mathematics, Business & Management (General), Biomedical Sciences, Politics & International Relations, Sociology & Criminology, Economics, Business Studies, Linguistics, Marketing, Chemical Engineering, Computer Science, Electronic & Electrical Engineering and 29 more.

Is Aston University, Birmingham or Lancaster University better for Mathematics?

Mathematics graduates earn a median £31,500 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, and £29,500 from Lancaster University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 94% at Aston University, Birmingham and 89% at Lancaster University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Aston University, Birmingham or Lancaster University offer more courses?

Lancaster University lists 526 courses on CourseOptions and Aston University, Birmingham lists 169 courses.

What can you study at Aston University, Birmingham but not at Lancaster University?

Aston University, Birmingham teaches 10 subject areas that Lancaster University does not, including Biomedical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Personal & Professional Development, Adult Nursing, Biotechnology, Business Information Systems, Healthcare Science, Optometry & Ophthalmics and 2 more.

What can you study at Lancaster University but not at Aston University, Birmingham?

Lancaster University teaches 30 subject areas that Aston University, Birmingham does not, including Physics, Human Geography & Environment, Chemistry, English Literature, Environmental Sciences, Philosophy, Geography (General), Operational Research and 22 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

A
Aston University, Birmingham169 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
L
Lancaster University526 courses · 11 scholarshipsBrowse Courses