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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.

K
Keele University

Keele · QS World #801

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.

2/10

Keele

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

8/10

Lancaster

scored higher in 8 categories

Quick Verdict

Lancaster University leads in 8 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Keele University is ahead on established, employment.

Keele University vs Lancaster University at a glance

Keele University and Lancaster University both teach 51 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Mathematics and Computer Science. Keele University offers 426 courses across 79 subject areas; Lancaster University offers 526 courses across 71 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,200 a year at Keele University and £28,680 at Lancaster University: Keele University is about £10,480 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,200 a year at Keele University and £24,300 at Lancaster University: Keele University is about £6,100 a year cheaper.

Of the 31 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Lancaster University is higher in 27 and Keele University in 4. The widest gap is in Accounting: £23,000 three years after graduating from Keele University, against £32,000 from Lancaster University. Of the 30 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Lancaster University is higher in 21 and Keele University in 7, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#801
QS World
#164
#501
THE World
#184
#73
Guardian UK
#10
1949
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.

Keele University

Lancaster University

87.7%
88.5%

Satisfaction

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

£32,100
£35,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83.7%
79.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

8.5%
22.4%

International

International student share

426
526

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

1
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.

Keele

56 countries · 8.5% international

  • 🇮🇳India14.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria12.9%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan9.1%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong7.8%
  • 🇨🇳China4.7%
VS

Lancaster

83 countries · 22.4% international

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

Subjects

51 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.

Keele University

Lancaster University

Also taught at both: Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Philosophy, Accounting, English Literature, Human Geography & Environment, Geography (General), Biochemistry, Childhood & Youth Studies, Pharmacology, Business Studies, Ecology & Conservation, General Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, History, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Civil Engineering, Software Engineering, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Health & Social Care, Management, Zoology & Animal Biology, Information Systems & Data Science, Creative Writing, English Studies, Physical Geography & Climate, Public Health & Epidemiology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Medicine, Mental Health Nursing, Social Work, Cultural Studies, Human Resource Management, Social Policy & Public Policy, Technology & Logistics.

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

Keele University
£18,200
Lancaster University
£28,680

Keele University is about £10,480 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Keele University
£18,200
Lancaster University
£24,300

Keele University is about £6,100 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.

Keele University

Lancaster University

  • Business & Management (General)

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    75%Satisfaction82%
  • Mathematics

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    87%Satisfaction89%
  • Computer Science

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£35,000
    76%Satisfaction80%
  • Biomedical Sciences

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    88%Satisfaction92%
  • Sociology & Criminology

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    86%Satisfaction92%
  • Law

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    83%Satisfaction90%
  • Media & Film Studies

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£19,500
    93%Satisfaction89%
  • Physics

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
    96%Satisfaction93%
  • Politics & International Relations

    £22,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    93%Satisfaction90%
  • Chemistry

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    96%Satisfaction100%
  • Economics

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    83%Satisfaction86%
  • Psychology (General)

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    82%Satisfaction87%

Showing the 12 largest of 31 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Keele University

Postgraduate Global Scholarship (international) 2026

£5,000

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

Keele University vs Lancaster University: common questions

Is Keele University or Lancaster University cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,200 a year at Keele University and £28,680 at Lancaster University: Keele University is about £10,480 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,200 a year at Keele University and £24,300 at Lancaster University: Keele University is about £6,100 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 Keele University and Lancaster University?

Both universities teach 51 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Mathematics, Computer Science, Biomedical Sciences, Sociology & Criminology, Law, Media & Film Studies, Physics, Politics & International Relations, Chemistry, Economics, Psychology (General) and 39 more.

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

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £24,000 three years after graduating from Keele University, and £31,000 from Lancaster University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 75% at Keele University and 82% at Lancaster University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Keele University or Lancaster University offer more courses?

Lancaster University lists 526 courses on CourseOptions and Keele University lists 426 courses.

What can you study at Keele University but not at Lancaster University?

Keele University teaches 28 subject areas that Lancaster University does not, including Forensic Science, Pharmacy, Geology & Earth Sciences, Applied Psychology, Education Studies, Animal Science, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Biology and 20 more.

What can you study at Lancaster University but not at Keele University?

Lancaster University teaches 20 subject areas that Keele University does not, including Linguistics, Operational Research, Statistics, English Language, Fine Art, Natural Sciences, Biological Sciences (General), Design & Fashion and 12 more.

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