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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

Q
Queen's University Belfast

Belfast · QS World #174

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.

7/10

Lancaster

scored higher in 7 categories

VS

3/10

Queen's University Belfast

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

Lancaster University leads in 7 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, satisfaction, international, courses, scholarship). Queen's University Belfast is ahead on Russell Group, established, employment.

Lancaster University vs Queen's University Belfast at a glance

Lancaster University and Queen's University Belfast both teach 59 subject areas, the largest being Mathematics, Politics & International Relations and Business & Management (General). Lancaster University offers 526 courses across 71 subject areas; Queen's University Belfast offers 494 courses across 93 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,680 a year at Lancaster University and £20,800 at Queen's University Belfast: Queen's University Belfast is about £7,880 a year cheaper.

Of the 30 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Lancaster University is higher in 22 and Queen's University Belfast in 6, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#164
QS World
#174
#184
THE World
#198
#10
Guardian UK
#36
1964
Established
1845
No
Russell Group
Yes
Gold
TEF Rating
—

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.

Lancaster University

Queen's University Belfast

88.5%
86.4%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
No data

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.1%
84.9%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.4%
21.9%

International

International student share

526
494

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

11
1

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

Queen's University Belfast

74 countries · 21.9% international

  • 🇮🇪Ireland30.3%
  • 🇮🇳India14.3%
  • 🇨🇳China11%
  • 🇺🇸United States7%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia5%

Subjects

59 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's University Belfast

Also taught at both: English Studies, History, Human Geography & Environment, Mechanical Engineering, General Engineering, Marketing, Philosophy, Psychology (General), Management, Software Engineering, Accounting, Biological Sciences (General), Environmental Sciences, Finance & Actuarial Science, Ecology & Conservation, Pharmacology, Architecture, Biochemistry, Childhood & Youth Studies, Geography (General), Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Physical Geography & Climate, Social Work, Zoology & Animal Biology, Design & Fashion, Building & Construction, Drama & Theatre, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Business Studies, Computing & IT, Health & Social Care, Information Systems & Data Science, Social Policy & Public Policy, Medicine, Public Health & Epidemiology, Ancient Languages, Clinical & Health Psychology, Cultural Studies, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Humanities, Mental Health Nursing, Human Resource Management, Technology & Logistics.

Only at Lancaster University

Only at Queen's University Belfast

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's University Belfast
£20,800

Queen's University Belfast is about £7,880 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Lancaster University
£24,300
Queen's University Belfast
No data

We do not have reliable international fee data for Queen's University Belfast 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

Queen's University Belfast

  • Mathematics

    £29,500Salary (3 years)No data
    89%Satisfaction87%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,000Salary (3 years)No data
    90%Satisfaction84%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)No data
    90%Satisfaction86%

  • Physics

    £29,500Salary (3 years)No data
    93%Satisfaction90%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)No data
    92%Satisfaction87%

  • Economics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)No data
    86%Satisfaction82%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £25,500Salary (3 years)No data
    92%Satisfaction83%

  • Computer Science

    £35,000Salary (3 years)No data
    80%Satisfaction72%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £19,500Salary (3 years)No data
    89%Satisfaction82%

  • Chemistry

    £24,000Salary (3 years)No data
    100%Satisfaction97%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)No data
    68%Satisfaction70%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £30,000Salary (3 years)No data
    85%Satisfaction78%

Showing the 12 largest of 30 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 →

Queen's University Belfast

Future-Ready Award

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Lancaster University vs Queen's University Belfast: common questions

Is Lancaster University or Queen's University Belfast cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,680 a year at Lancaster University and £20,800 at Queen's University Belfast: Queen's University Belfast is about £7,880 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's University Belfast?

Both universities teach 59 subject areas: Mathematics, Politics & International Relations, Business & Management (General), Law, Physics, Sociology & Criminology, Economics, Biomedical Sciences, Computer Science, Linguistics, Media & Film Studies, Chemistry and 47 more.

Does Lancaster University or Queen's University Belfast offer more courses?

Lancaster University lists 526 courses on CourseOptions and Queen's University Belfast lists 494 courses.

What can you study at Lancaster University but not at Queen's University Belfast?

Lancaster University teaches 12 subject areas that Queen's University Belfast does not, including English Literature, Operational Research, Statistics, English Language, Fine Art, Natural Sciences, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Creative Writing and 4 more.

What can you study at Queen's University Belfast but not at Lancaster University?

Queen's University Belfast teaches 34 subject areas that Lancaster University does not, including Anthropology, French, Irish Studies, Planning & Housing, Archaeology, Pharmacy, Nursing (General), Aerospace Engineering and 26 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

L
Lancaster University526 courses · 11 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
Q
Queen's University Belfast494 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses