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.
Lancaster · QS World #164
Edinburgh · QS World #1201
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.
5/8
Lancaster
scored higher in 5 categories
3/8
Queen Margaret
scored higher in 3 categories
Quick Verdict
Lancaster University leads in 5 of 8 categories where both have data (ranking, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh is ahead on established, satisfaction, employment.
Lancaster University vs Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh at a glance
Lancaster University and Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh both teach 15 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Politics & International Relations and Sociology & Criminology. Lancaster University offers 526 courses across 71 subject areas; Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh offers 68 courses across 25 subject areas.
For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,300 a year at Lancaster University and £18,460 at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh: Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh is about £5,840 a year cheaper.
Of the 7 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Lancaster University is higher in 6 and Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh in 1. The widest gap is in Business & Management (General): £31,000 three years after graduating from Lancaster University, against £22,000 from Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh. Of the 7 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh is higher in 4 and Lancaster University in 3.
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
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
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%
Queen Margaret
51 countries · 18.6% international
- 🇮🇪Ireland29%
- 🌐Nepal9.8%
- 🇨🇦Canada8.2%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria6.1%
- 🇺🇸United States4.5%
Subjects
15 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
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
Business & Management (General)
32 coursesTypical fee £28,680 (UG)
7 coursesTypical fee £18,460 (PG)
Politics & International Relations
21 coursesTypical fee £23,750 (UG)
2 coursesFee not available
Sociology & Criminology
21 coursesTypical fee £23,750 (UG)
2 coursesFee not available
Marketing
15 coursesTypical fee £28,680 (UG)
3 coursesTypical fee £18,460 (PG)
Media & Film Studies
14 coursesTypical fee £23,750 (UG)
3 coursesTypical fee £18,460 (PG)
Psychology (General)
Business Studies
Drama & Theatre
Finance & Actuarial Science
Health Sciences & Paramedic Science
Design & Fashion
Health & Social Care
Cultural Studies
Complementary & Alternative Medicine
Clinical Specialities
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
- Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
- No data
We do not have reliable international fee data for Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh yet.
Postgraduate
- Lancaster University
- £24,300
- Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
- £18,460
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh is about £5,840 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
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
Business & Management (General)
£31,000Salary (3 years)£22,00082%Satisfaction92%Sociology & Criminology
£23,000Salary (3 years)£21,00092%Satisfaction94%Marketing
£29,500Salary (3 years)£22,00090%Satisfaction76%Media & Film Studies
£19,500Salary (3 years)£20,00089%Satisfaction88%Psychology (General)
£23,500Salary (3 years)£21,00087%Satisfaction82%Drama & Theatre
£21,500Salary (3 years)£19,50095%Satisfaction99%Design & Fashion
£22,500Salary (3 years)£19,50082%Satisfaction95%
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
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
Scottish Highlands & Islands Schools Scholarship
£500
Deadline: Jun 2026
Alison Scott Scholarship
See details
Deadline: N/A
The Alison Scott Scholarship
See details
Deadline: N/A
FAQ
Lancaster University vs Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh: common questions
Is Lancaster University or Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh cheaper for international students?
For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,300 a year at Lancaster University and £18,460 at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh: Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh is about £5,840 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 Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh?
Both universities teach 15 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Politics & International Relations, Sociology & Criminology, Marketing, Media & Film Studies, Psychology (General), Business Studies, Drama & Theatre, Finance & Actuarial Science, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Design & Fashion, Health & Social Care and 3 more.
Is Lancaster University or Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh better for Business & Management (General)?
Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £31,000 three years after graduating from Lancaster University, and £22,000 from Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh. Student satisfaction with teaching is 82% at Lancaster University and 92% at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Lancaster University or Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh offer more courses?
Lancaster University lists 526 courses on CourseOptions and Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh lists 68 courses.
What can you study at Lancaster University but not at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh?
Lancaster University teaches 56 subject areas that Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh does not, including Mathematics, Biomedical Sciences, Physics, Linguistics, Economics, Computer Science, Law, Chemical Engineering and 48 more.
What can you study at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh but not at Lancaster University?
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh teaches 10 subject areas that Lancaster University does not, including Nutrition & Dietetics, Teacher Training, Adult Nursing, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Education Studies, Medical Imaging, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Classical Studies and 2 more.
Ready to explore courses?
Browse available courses, check entry requirements, and find scholarships at each university.