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.
Birmingham · QS World #416
Preston · QS World #1001
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.
7/11
Aston
scored higher in 7 categories
4/11
Lancashire
scored higher in 4 categories
Quick Verdict
Aston University, Birmingham leads in 7 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, TEF, employment, international, graduate salary). University of Lancashire is ahead on established, satisfaction, courses, scholarship.
Aston University, Birmingham vs University of Lancashire at a glance
Aston University, Birmingham and University of Lancashire both teach 41 subject areas, the largest being Business Studies, Law and Psychology (General). Aston University, Birmingham offers 169 courses across 51 subject areas; University of Lancashire offers 363 courses across 82 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £17,330 at University of Lancashire: University of Lancashire is about £5,250 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,000 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £19,250 at University of Lancashire: University of Lancashire is about £4,750 a year cheaper.
Of the 24 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Aston University, Birmingham is higher in 23 and University of Lancashire in 1. The widest gap is in Optometry & Ophthalmics: £36,500 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, against £23,000 from University of Lancashire. Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Lancashire is higher in 11 and Aston University, Birmingham in 10, with 1 about level.
World & National Rankings
Compare world and national league table positions, TEF ratings, and Russell Group membership.
Visual Breakdown
Key metrics at a glance
Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.
Aston University, Birmingham
University of Lancashire
Satisfaction
Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)
Graduate Salaries (5y)
Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation
Employment
Graduate employment rate
International
International student share
Course Counts
Number of courses offered
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%
Lancashire
74 countries · 20.5% international
- 🇮🇳India34.3%
- 🇦🇪United Arab Emirates9.3%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria8%
- 🌐Nepal6.6%
- 🇨🇦Canada4.4%
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
University of Lancashire
Business Studies
18 coursesTypical fee £23,500 (UG)
8 coursesTypical fee £17,330 (UG)
Law
2 coursesTypical fee £22,580 (UG)
19 coursesTypical fee £17,330 (UG)
Psychology (General)
Business & Management (General)
4 coursesTypical fee £23,500 (PG)
10 coursesTypical fee £18,750 (UG)
Manufacturing & Production Engineering
2 coursesTypical fee £24,000 (PG)
12 coursesTypical fee £17,750 (UG)
Medicine
1 courseTypical fee £47,000 (UG)
13 coursesTypical fee £35,000 (UG)
Computer Science
3 coursesTypical fee £22,580 (UG)
10 coursesTypical fee £18,040 (UG)
Building & Construction
Design & Fashion
Electronic & Electrical Engineering
Aerospace Engineering
Biomedical Sciences
Mechanical Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Marketing
Also taught at both: Sociology & Criminology, Accounting, Adult Nursing, Management, Social Sciences (General), Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, English Language, General Engineering, History, Human Resource Management, Mathematics, Mental Health Nursing, Civil Engineering, Health & Social Care, Technology & Logistics, Clinical & Health Psychology, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Media & Film Studies, Business Information Systems, English Studies, Healthcare Science, Personal & Professional Development, Pharmacy, Public Health & Epidemiology, Optometry & Ophthalmics.
Only at Aston University, 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
- Aston University, Birmingham
- £22,580
- University of Lancashire
- £17,330
University of Lancashire is about £5,250 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Aston University, Birmingham
- £24,000
- University of Lancashire
- £19,250
University of Lancashire is about £4,750 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
University of Lancashire
Business Studies
£30,500Salary (3 years)£35,00082%Satisfaction87%Law
£23,000Salary (3 years)£21,00089%Satisfaction87%Psychology (General)
£24,500Salary (3 years)£19,50092%Satisfaction90%Medicine
No dataSalary (3 years)No data90%Satisfaction71%Computer Science
£33,000Salary (3 years)£24,50085%Satisfaction71%Building & Construction
£32,500Salary (3 years)£29,50082%Satisfaction88%Electronic & Electrical Engineering
£32,500Salary (3 years)£29,50064%Satisfaction92%Aerospace Engineering
£31,000Salary (3 years)£29,500No dataSatisfaction71%Biomedical Sciences
£27,500Salary (3 years)£26,00090%Satisfaction84%Mechanical Engineering
£32,000Salary (3 years)£29,50080%Satisfaction88%Chemical Engineering
£31,000Salary (3 years)£29,50087%Satisfaction82%Marketing
£28,500Salary (3 years)£22,50079%Satisfaction85%
Showing the 12 largest of 26 shared subjects with published outcomes.
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveAston University, Birmingham
View all scholarships →University of Lancashire
Fee Waiver Scholarship for Sanctuary Seekers
100%
Deadline: N/A
Care-experienced and Estranged Student Graduation Bursary
£500
Deadline: N/A
Degree Apprentice Care Leaver Bursary
See details
Deadline: N/A
Estranged Student Support
See details
Deadline: N/A
Journalism Innovation and Leadership PGCert Scholarship
See details
Deadline: N/A
FAQ
Aston University, Birmingham vs University of Lancashire: common questions
Is Aston University, Birmingham or University of Lancashire cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £17,330 at University of Lancashire: University of Lancashire is about £5,250 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,000 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £19,250 at University of Lancashire: University of Lancashire is about £4,750 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 University of Lancashire?
Both universities teach 41 subject areas: Business Studies, Law, Psychology (General), Business & Management (General), Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Medicine, Computer Science, Building & Construction, Design & Fashion, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Biomedical Sciences and 29 more.
Is Aston University, Birmingham or University of Lancashire better for Business Studies?
Business Studies graduates earn a median £30,500 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, and £35,000 from University of Lancashire. Student satisfaction with teaching is 82% at Aston University, Birmingham and 87% at University of Lancashire. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Aston University, Birmingham or University of Lancashire offer more courses?
University of Lancashire lists 363 courses on CourseOptions and Aston University, Birmingham lists 169 courses.
What can you study at Aston University, Birmingham but not at University of Lancashire?
Aston University, Birmingham teaches 10 subject areas that University of Lancashire does not, including Politics & International Relations, Economics, Finance & Actuarial Science, Biomedical Engineering, Information Systems & Data Science, Biochemistry, Linguistics, Biological Sciences (General) and 2 more.
What can you study at University of Lancashire but not at Aston University, Birmingham?
University of Lancashire teaches 41 subject areas that Aston University, Birmingham does not, including Sport & Exercise Sciences, Music, Social Work, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Games Design & Computer Animation, Asian Languages & Studies, Film Production & Cinematography, Safety & Mining Engineering and 33 more.
Ready to explore courses?
Browse available courses, check entry requirements, and find scholarships at each university.