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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
Birmingham City University

Birmingham · QS World #1001

L
Lancaster University

Lancaster · QS World #164

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 3 datapoints

We looked at 3 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

0/3

Birmingham City

scored higher in 0 categories

VS

3/3

Lancaster

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

Lancaster University leads in 3 of 3 categories where both have data (ranking, courses, scholarship). Birmingham City University does not lead in any category where both have data.

Birmingham City University vs Lancaster University at a glance

Birmingham City University and Lancaster University both teach 42 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Mathematics and Childhood & Youth Studies. Birmingham City University offers 284 courses across 68 subject areas; Lancaster University offers 526 courses across 71 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,570 a year at Birmingham City University and £28,680 at Lancaster University: Birmingham City University is about £10,110 a year cheaper.

Of the 21 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Lancaster University is higher in 18 and Birmingham City University in 3. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £23,500 three years after graduating from Birmingham City University, against £35,000 from Lancaster University. Of the 23 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Lancaster University is higher in 14 and Birmingham City University in 9.

World & National Rankings

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

#1001
QS World
#164
—
THE World
#184
—
Guardian UK
#10
N/A
Established
1964
No
Russell Group
No
—
TEF Rating
Gold

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Birmingham City University

Lancaster University

No data
88.5%

Satisfaction

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

No data
£35,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

No data
79.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

No data
22.4%

International

International student share

284
526

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

10
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.

Birmingham City

No published data on international students

    VS

    Lancaster

    83 countries · 22.4% international

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

    Subjects

    42 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.

    Birmingham City University

    Lancaster University

    Also taught at both: English Literature, Finance & Actuarial Science, Fine Art, Psychology (General), Software Engineering, Building & Construction, Health & Social Care, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Architecture, Mechanical Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Civil Engineering, English Language, Information Systems & Data Science, Biochemistry, Drama & Theatre, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Creative Writing, English Studies, Social Work, Technology & Logistics, Clinical Specialities, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Human Resource Management, Management, Mental Health Nursing.

    Only at Birmingham City University

    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

    Birmingham City University
    £18,570
    Lancaster University
    £28,680

    Birmingham City University is about £10,110 a year cheaper.

    Postgraduate

    Birmingham City University
    No data
    Lancaster University
    £24,300

    We do not have reliable international fee data for Birmingham City University yet.

    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.

    Birmingham City University

    Lancaster University

    • Business & Management (General)

      £23,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
      83%Satisfaction82%

    • Computer Science

      £23,500Salary (3 years)£35,000
      78%Satisfaction80%

    • Sociology & Criminology

      £22,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
      89%Satisfaction92%

    • Biomedical Sciences

      £31,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
      86%Satisfaction92%

    • Marketing

      £23,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
      92%Satisfaction90%

    • Law

      £20,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
      80%Satisfaction90%

    • Design & Fashion

      £20,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
      92%Satisfaction82%

    • Media & Film Studies

      £21,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
      87%Satisfaction89%

    • Economics

      £24,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
      77%Satisfaction86%

    • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

      £23,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
      81%Satisfaction68%

    • Accounting

      £23,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
      74%Satisfaction90%

    • English Literature

      £21,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
      100%Satisfaction98%

    Showing the 12 largest of 23 shared subjects with published outcomes.

    Scholarships for International Students

    Exclusive

    Birmingham City University

    Henderson Bursaries and Scholarships 2026

    £10,000

    Deadline: N/A

    Henderson Bursaries and Scholarships 2026

    £10,000

    Deadline: N/A

    Millennium Point Scholarship

    100%

    Deadline: N/A

    Scott Trust Bursary

    £7,415

    Deadline: N/A

    Santander Scholarship

    £2,000

    Deadline: N/A

    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

    Birmingham City University vs Lancaster University: common questions

    Is Birmingham City University or Lancaster University cheaper for international students?

    For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,570 a year at Birmingham City University and £28,680 at Lancaster University: Birmingham City University is about £10,110 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 Birmingham City University and Lancaster University?

    Both universities teach 42 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Mathematics, Childhood & Youth Studies, Computer Science, Sociology & Criminology, Biomedical Sciences, Marketing, Law, Design & Fashion, Politics & International Relations, Media & Film Studies, Economics and 30 more.

    Is Birmingham City University or Lancaster University better for Business & Management (General)?

    Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £23,000 three years after graduating from Birmingham City University, and £31,000 from Lancaster University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 83% at Birmingham City University and 82% at Lancaster University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

    Does Birmingham City University or Lancaster University offer more courses?

    Lancaster University lists 526 courses on CourseOptions and Birmingham City University lists 284 courses.

    What can you study at Birmingham City University but not at Lancaster University?

    Birmingham City University teaches 26 subject areas that Lancaster University does not, including Nursing (General), Film Production & Cinematography, Games Design & Computer Animation, Journalism, Community & Specialist Nursing, Crafts & Applied Arts, Education Studies, Music and 18 more.

    What can you study at Lancaster University but not at Birmingham City University?

    Lancaster University teaches 29 subject areas that Birmingham City University does not, including Physics, Linguistics, Chemical Engineering, Human Geography & Environment, Chemistry, Environmental Sciences, General Engineering, Philosophy and 21 more.

    Ready to explore courses?

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

    B
    Birmingham City University284 courses · 10 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
    L
    Lancaster University526 courses · 11 scholarshipsBrowse Courses