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Lancaster · QS World #164
Manchester · QS World #600
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.
9/10
Lancaster
scored higher in 9 categories
1/10
Manchester Metropolitan
scored higher in 1 category
Quick Verdict
Lancaster University leads in 9 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Manchester Metropolitan University is ahead on employment.
Lancaster University vs Manchester Metropolitan University at a glance
Lancaster University and Manchester Metropolitan University both teach 51 subject areas, the largest being Design & Fashion, Business & Management (General) and Mathematics. Lancaster University offers 526 courses across 71 subject areas; Manchester Metropolitan University offers 393 courses across 78 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,680 a year at Lancaster University and £21,500 at Manchester Metropolitan University: Manchester Metropolitan University is about £7,180 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,300 a year at Lancaster University and £21,000 at Manchester Metropolitan University: Manchester Metropolitan University is about £3,300 a year cheaper.
Of the 28 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Lancaster University is higher in 25 and Manchester Metropolitan University in 2, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Accounting: £32,000 three years after graduating from Lancaster University, against £23,000 from Manchester Metropolitan University. Of the 29 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Lancaster University is higher in 15 and Manchester Metropolitan University in 12, with 2 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.
Lancaster University
Manchester Metropolitan University
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.
Lancaster
83 countries · 22.4% international
- 🇨🇳China41.1%
- 🇮🇳India9.8%
- 🇭🇰Hong Kong5.9%
- 🇪🇸Spain3.8%
- 🇲🇾Malaysia3.1%
Manchester Metropolitan
90 countries · 9.3% international
- 🇮🇳India21.7%
- 🇨🇳China10.8%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan7.1%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria7%
- 🌐Kuwait5.8%
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.
Lancaster University
Manchester Metropolitan University
Design & Fashion
5 coursesTypical fee £23,750 (UG)
42 coursesTypical fee £21,500 (UG)
Business & Management (General)
32 coursesTypical fee £28,680 (UG)
11 coursesTypical fee £20,000 (UG)
Mathematics
33 coursesTypical fee £31,820 (UG)
5 coursesTypical fee £21,500 (UG)
Politics & International Relations
21 coursesTypical fee £23,750 (UG)
11 coursesTypical fee £20,000 (UG)
Sociology & Criminology
21 coursesTypical fee £23,750 (UG)
9 coursesTypical fee £20,000 (UG)
Biomedical Sciences
23 coursesTypical fee £31,820 (UG)
6 coursesTypical fee £21,500 (UG)
Law
16 coursesTypical fee £23,750 (UG)
10 coursesTypical fee £20,000 (UG)
Linguistics
19 coursesTypical fee £23,750 (UG)
6 coursesTypical fee £20,000 (UG)
Media & Film Studies
14 coursesTypical fee £23,750 (UG)
11 coursesTypical fee £20,000 (UG)
Computer Science
17 coursesTypical fee £31,820 (UG)
4 coursesTypical fee £21,500 (UG)
Economics
18 coursesTypical fee £28,680 (UG)
3 coursesTypical fee £20,000 (UG)
Marketing
15 coursesTypical fee £28,680 (UG)
6 coursesTypical fee £20,000 (UG)
Sport & Exercise Sciences
4 coursesTypical fee £31,820 (UG)
17 coursesTypical fee £21,500 (UG)
Chemistry
10 coursesTypical fee £31,820 (UG)
9 coursesTypical fee £21,500 (UG)
Business Studies
4 coursesTypical fee £26,150 (PG)
14 coursesTypical fee £20,000 (UG)
Also taught at both: Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Psychology (General), Human Geography & Environment, Philosophy, English Studies, History, Accounting, Environmental Sciences, General Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Mechanical Engineering, Geography (General), Architecture, Finance & Actuarial Science, Fine Art, Software Engineering, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Drama & Theatre, English Language, Biological Sciences (General), Childhood & Youth Studies, Creative Writing, Health & Social Care, Management, Physical Geography & Climate, Social Work, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Human Resource Management, Zoology & Animal Biology, Ancient Languages, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Mental Health Nursing, Building & Construction, Clinical & Health Psychology, Public Health & Epidemiology, Technology & Logistics.
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
- Lancaster University
- £28,680
- Manchester Metropolitan University
- £21,500
Manchester Metropolitan University is about £7,180 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Lancaster University
- £24,300
- Manchester Metropolitan University
- £21,000
Manchester Metropolitan University is about £3,300 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.
Lancaster University
Manchester Metropolitan University
Design & Fashion
£22,500Salary (3 years)£19,50082%Satisfaction87%Business & Management (General)
£31,000Salary (3 years)£22,50082%Satisfaction88%Mathematics
£29,500Salary (3 years)£23,50089%Satisfaction94%Politics & International Relations
£27,000Salary (3 years)£21,00090%Satisfaction88%Sociology & Criminology
£23,000Salary (3 years)£21,00092%Satisfaction90%Biomedical Sciences
£25,500Salary (3 years)£28,50092%Satisfaction85%Law
£24,500Salary (3 years)£19,50090%Satisfaction92%Linguistics
£22,500Salary (3 years)£20,50094%Satisfaction94%Media & Film Studies
£19,500Salary (3 years)£19,50089%Satisfaction91%Computer Science
£35,000Salary (3 years)£26,50080%Satisfaction84%Economics
£31,000Salary (3 years)£24,50086%Satisfaction79%Marketing
£29,500Salary (3 years)£23,00090%Satisfaction87%
Showing the 12 largest of 29 shared subjects with published outcomes.
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveLancaster 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
Manchester Metropolitan University
Allan and Nesta Ferguson Charitable Trust Scholarships
100%
Deadline: May 2026
Doctoral Landscape Awards
100%
Deadline: N/A
Fulbright Scholarship
100%
Deadline: N/A
FAQ
Lancaster University vs Manchester Metropolitan University: common questions
Is Lancaster University or Manchester Metropolitan University cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,680 a year at Lancaster University and £21,500 at Manchester Metropolitan University: Manchester Metropolitan University is about £7,180 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,300 a year at Lancaster University and £21,000 at Manchester Metropolitan University: Manchester Metropolitan University is about £3,300 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 Lancaster University and Manchester Metropolitan University?
Both universities teach 51 subject areas: Design & Fashion, Business & Management (General), Mathematics, Politics & International Relations, Sociology & Criminology, Biomedical Sciences, Law, Linguistics, Media & Film Studies, Computer Science, Economics, Marketing and 39 more.
Is Lancaster University or Manchester Metropolitan University better for Design & Fashion?
Design & Fashion graduates earn a median £22,500 three years after graduating from Lancaster University, and £19,500 from Manchester Metropolitan University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 82% at Lancaster University and 87% at Manchester Metropolitan University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Lancaster University or Manchester Metropolitan University offer more courses?
Lancaster University lists 526 courses on CourseOptions and Manchester Metropolitan University lists 393 courses.
What can you study at Lancaster University but not at Manchester Metropolitan University?
Lancaster University teaches 20 subject areas that Manchester Metropolitan University does not, including Physics, Chemical Engineering, English Literature, Operational Research, Pharmacology, Statistics, Ecology & Conservation, Natural Sciences and 12 more.
What can you study at Manchester Metropolitan University but not at Lancaster University?
Manchester Metropolitan University teaches 27 subject areas that Lancaster University does not, including Teacher Training, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Biology, Education Studies, Film Production & Cinematography, Games Design & Computer Animation, Anatomy & Pathology, French and 19 more.
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