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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

O
Open University

None · THE World #801

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 8 datapoints

We looked at 8 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

7/8

Lancaster

scored higher in 7 categories

VS

1/8

Open

scored higher in 1 category

Quick Verdict

Lancaster University leads in 7 of 8 categories where both have data (ranking, established, employment, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Open University is ahead on satisfaction.

Lancaster University vs Open University at a glance

Lancaster University and Open University both teach 45 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Computer Science and Mathematics. Lancaster University offers 526 courses across 71 subject areas; Open University offers 337 courses across 68 subject areas.

Of the 29 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Open University is higher in 18 and Lancaster University in 10, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in General Engineering: £32,000 three years after graduating from Lancaster University, against £43,500 from Open University. Of the 25 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Open University is higher in 13 and Lancaster University in 12.

World & National Rankings

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

#164
QS World
—
#184
THE World
#801
#10
Guardian UK
—
1964
Established
1969
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

Open University

88.5%
89.8%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£29,900

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.1%
72.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.4%
0.2%

International

International student share

526
337

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

11
0

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

Open

25 countries · 0.2% international

  • 🇩🇪Germany8.9%
  • 🌐Cyprus (European Union)6.7%
  • 🇫🇷France6.7%
  • 🇨🇳China4.4%
  • 🇮🇳India4.4%

Subjects

45 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

Open University

Also taught at both: Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Philosophy, English Language, English Literature, Chemistry, Accounting, Childhood & Youth Studies, Geography (General), Statistics, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Natural Sciences, Social Work, Software Engineering, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Computing & IT, Design & Fashion, Finance & Actuarial Science, Health & Social Care, Physical Geography & Climate, Information Systems & Data Science, Ancient Languages, Human Resource Management, Management, Creative Writing, English Studies, Public Health & Epidemiology, Mental Health Nursing, Social Policy & Public Policy, Theology & Religious Studies.

Only at Lancaster University

Only at Open 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
Open University
No data

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

Postgraduate

Lancaster University
£24,300
Open University
No data

We do not have reliable international fee data for Open 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.

Lancaster University

Open University

  • Business & Management (General)

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    82%Satisfaction95%

  • Computer Science

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    80%Satisfaction91%

  • Mathematics

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    89%Satisfaction93%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£17,000
    92%Satisfaction89%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    90%Satisfaction96%

  • Physics

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£38,500
    93%Satisfaction98%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    92%Satisfaction89%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    90%Satisfaction92%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    94%Satisfaction93%

  • Economics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    86%Satisfaction89%

  • General Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£43,500
    87%Satisfaction88%

  • Human Geography & Environment

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    95%Satisfaction93%

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 →

Open University

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Lancaster University vs Open University: common questions

What subjects can you study at both Lancaster University and Open University?

Both universities teach 45 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Computer Science, Mathematics, Sociology & Criminology, Law, Physics, Biomedical Sciences, Politics & International Relations, History, Economics, Linguistics, General Engineering and 33 more.

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

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £31,000 three years after graduating from Lancaster University, and £32,000 from Open University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 82% at Lancaster University and 95% at Open University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Lancaster University or Open University offer more courses?

Lancaster University lists 526 courses on CourseOptions and Open University lists 337 courses.

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

Lancaster University teaches 26 subject areas that Open University does not, including Marketing, Chemical Engineering, Media & Film Studies, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Operational Research, Pharmacology, Ecology & Conservation and 18 more.

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

Open University teaches 23 subject areas that Lancaster University does not, including Education Studies, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Combined & General Studies, Social Sciences (General), Biology, Classical Studies, History of Art & Design, International Development and 15 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

L
Lancaster University526 courses · 11 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
O
Open University337 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses