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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.

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Lancaster University

Lancaster · QS World #164

L
Loughborough University

Loughborough · QS World #203

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.

6/10

Lancaster

scored higher in 6 categories

VS

4/10

Loughborough

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

Lancaster University leads in 6 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, satisfaction, international, courses). Loughborough University is ahead on established, employment, graduate salary, scholarship.

Lancaster University vs Loughborough University at a glance

Lancaster University and Loughborough University both teach 47 subject areas, the largest being Mathematics, Physics and Computer Science. Lancaster University offers 526 courses across 71 subject areas; Loughborough University offers 416 courses across 63 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,680 a year at Lancaster University and £29,750 at Loughborough University: Lancaster University is about £1,070 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,300 a year at Lancaster University and £29,500 at Loughborough University: Lancaster University is about £5,200 a year cheaper.

Of the 24 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Loughborough University is higher in 22 and Lancaster University in 2. The widest gap is in Finance & Actuarial Science: £31,000 three years after graduating from Lancaster University, against £43,000 from Loughborough University. Of the 18 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Lancaster University is higher in 9 and Loughborough University in 9.

World & National Rankings

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

#164
QS World
#203
#184
THE World
#301
#10
Guardian UK
#11
1964
Established
1909
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.

Lancaster University

Loughborough University

88.5%
87.6%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£41,200

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.1%
84%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.4%
18.4%

International

International student share

526
416

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

11
36

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.

Lancaster

83 countries · 22.4% international

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

Loughborough

90 countries · 18.4% international

  • 🇨🇳China24.7%
  • 🇮🇳India13.2%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.6%
  • 🇦🇪United Arab Emirates3.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria3.4%

Subjects

47 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.

Lancaster University

Loughborough University

Also taught at both: General Engineering, Human Geography & Environment, Marketing, Physical Geography & Climate, Management, Psychology (General), Civil Engineering, Business Studies, English Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Mechanical Engineering, English Literature, History, Accounting, Natural Sciences, Geography (General), Fine Art, Pharmacology, Building & Construction, Childhood & Youth Studies, Architecture, Health & Social Care, Computing & IT, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Ancient Languages, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Public Health & Epidemiology, Clinical Specialities, Human Resource Management, Materials Science, Social Policy & Public Policy, Technology & Logistics.

Only at Lancaster University

Only at Loughborough 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

Lancaster University
£28,680
Loughborough University
£29,750

Lancaster University is about £1,070 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Lancaster University
£24,300
Loughborough University
£29,500

Lancaster University is about £5,200 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.

Lancaster University

Loughborough University

  • Mathematics

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    89%Satisfaction85%

  • Physics

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    93%Satisfaction96%

  • Computer Science

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£40,500
    80%Satisfaction86%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    90%SatisfactionNo data

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    92%Satisfaction88%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£36,000
    85%Satisfaction95%

  • Chemistry

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    100%Satisfaction85%

  • Economics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£37,500
    86%Satisfaction88%

  • Design & Fashion

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    82%Satisfaction89%

  • Manufacturing & Production Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    81%Satisfaction88%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    89%SatisfactionNo data

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    99%Satisfaction85%

Showing the 12 largest of 24 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

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 →

Loughborough University

Schlumberger Foundation Faculty for the Future Fellowships

£50,000

Deadline: N/A

Care Leaver's Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Commonwealth Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Global Impact Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Inspiring Success Scholarship

100%

Deadline: Jul 2026

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Lancaster University vs Loughborough University: common questions

Is Lancaster University or Loughborough University cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,680 a year at Lancaster University and £29,750 at Loughborough University: Lancaster University is about £1,070 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,300 a year at Lancaster University and £29,500 at Loughborough University: Lancaster University is about £5,200 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 Lancaster University and Loughborough University?

Both universities teach 47 subject areas: Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, Business & Management (General), Politics & International Relations, Sociology & Criminology, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Economics, Design & Fashion, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Media & Film Studies and 35 more.

Is Lancaster University or Loughborough University better for Mathematics?

Mathematics graduates earn a median £29,500 three years after graduating from Lancaster University, and £31,000 from Loughborough University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 89% at Lancaster University and 85% at Loughborough University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Lancaster University or Loughborough University offer more courses?

Lancaster University lists 526 courses on CourseOptions and Loughborough University lists 416 courses.

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

Lancaster University teaches 24 subject areas that Loughborough University does not, including Biomedical Sciences, Linguistics, Environmental Sciences, Philosophy, Operational Research, Statistics, Ecology & Conservation, English Language and 16 more.

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

Loughborough University teaches 16 subject areas that Lancaster University does not, including Materials Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Geology & Earth Sciences, Information & Library Studies, Planning & Housing, Applied Biology & Human Biology, Biology and 8 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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Lancaster University526 courses · 11 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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Loughborough University416 courses · 36 scholarshipsBrowse Courses