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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.

L
Lancaster University

Lancaster · QS World #164

M
Manchester Metropolitan University

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

VS

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.

#164
QS World
#600
#184
THE World
#601
#10
Guardian UK
#62
1964
Established
1970
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

Manchester Metropolitan University

88.5%
87.7%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£28,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.1%
84.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.4%
9.3%

International

International student share

526
393

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

11
3

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

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

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.

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)£19,500
    82%Satisfaction87%
  • Business & Management (General)

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    82%Satisfaction88%
  • Mathematics

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    89%Satisfaction94%
  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    90%Satisfaction88%
  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    92%Satisfaction90%
  • Biomedical Sciences

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£28,500
    92%Satisfaction85%
  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    90%Satisfaction92%
  • Linguistics

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£20,500
    94%Satisfaction94%
  • Media & Film Studies

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    89%Satisfaction91%
  • Computer Science

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    80%Satisfaction84%
  • Economics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    86%Satisfaction79%
  • Marketing

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    90%Satisfaction87%

Showing the 12 largest of 29 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 →

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

View all scholarships →

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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