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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

R
Royal Holloway, University of London

Egham · QS World #485

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 11 datapoints

We looked at 11 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

8/11

Lancaster

scored higher in 8 categories

VS

3/11

Royal Holloway

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

Lancaster University leads in 8 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, TEF, satisfaction, employment, international, courses). Royal Holloway, University of London is ahead on established, graduate salary, scholarship.

Lancaster University vs Royal Holloway, University of London at a glance

Lancaster University and Royal Holloway, University of London both teach 42 subject areas, the largest being Mathematics, Politics & International Relations and Business & Management (General). Lancaster University offers 526 courses across 71 subject areas; Royal Holloway, University of London offers 351 courses across 60 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,680 a year at Lancaster University and £26,800 at Royal Holloway, University of London: Royal Holloway, University of London is about £1,880 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,300 a year at Lancaster University and £26,400 at Royal Holloway, University of London: Lancaster University is about £2,100 a year cheaper.

Of the 23 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Royal Holloway, University of London is higher in 15 and Lancaster University in 5, with 3 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £35,000 three years after graduating from Lancaster University, against £41,000 from Royal Holloway, University of London. Of the 24 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Lancaster University is higher in 15 and Royal Holloway, University of London in 6, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#164
QS World
#485
#184
THE World
#401
#10
Guardian UK
#45
1964
Established
1879
No
Russell Group
No
Gold
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Lancaster University

Royal Holloway, University of London

88.5%
85.7%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£36,152.9

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.1%
78.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.4%
16.7%

International

International student share

526
351

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

11
32

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

Royal Holloway

79 countries · 16.7% international

  • 🇮🇳India17.8%
  • 🇨🇳China8.2%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan8.2%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5%
  • 🇺🇸United States4.8%

Subjects

42 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

Royal Holloway, University of London

Also taught at both: Human Geography & Environment, Management, Philosophy, Drama & Theatre, Geography (General), Accounting, Ecology & Conservation, Psychology (General), Ancient Languages, Finance & Actuarial Science, English Language, Physical Geography & Climate, Biological Sciences (General), Zoology & Animal Biology, Business Studies, Computing & IT, Health & Social Care, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Social Work, Creative Writing, Cultural Studies, Developmental & Educational Psychology, English Studies, Human Resource Management, Clinical & Health Psychology, Social Policy & Public Policy, Theology & Religious Studies.

Only at Lancaster University

Only at Royal Holloway, University of London

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
Royal Holloway, University of London
£26,800

Royal Holloway, University of London is about £1,880 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Lancaster University
£24,300
Royal Holloway, University of London
£26,400

Lancaster University is about £2,100 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

Royal Holloway, University of London

  • Mathematics

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    89%Satisfaction83%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    90%Satisfaction88%

  • Computer Science

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£41,000
    80%Satisfaction83%

  • Economics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    86%Satisfaction84%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    92%Satisfaction84%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)No data
    90%Satisfaction84%

  • Physics

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    93%Satisfaction94%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)No data
    68%Satisfaction98%

  • Marketing

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    90%Satisfaction83%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    89%Satisfaction82%

  • English Literature

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    98%Satisfaction90%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    94%Satisfaction94%

Showing the 12 largest of 25 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 →

Royal Holloway, University of London

International Partners Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Katayoon Behboodi Scholarship 2026

See details

Deadline: N/A

Mary Anning Scholarship 2026

See details

Deadline: N/A

Barbara Raw Scholarships for English

See details

Deadline: N/A

Barbara Raw for English Access Scholarship 2026

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Lancaster University vs Royal Holloway, University of London: common questions

Is Lancaster University or Royal Holloway, University of London cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,680 a year at Lancaster University and £26,800 at Royal Holloway, University of London: Royal Holloway, University of London is about £1,880 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,300 a year at Lancaster University and £26,400 at Royal Holloway, University of London: Lancaster University is about £2,100 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 Royal Holloway, University of London?

Both universities teach 42 subject areas: Mathematics, Politics & International Relations, Business & Management (General), Computer Science, Economics, Sociology & Criminology, Law, Physics, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Marketing, Media & Film Studies and 30 more.

Is Lancaster University or Royal Holloway, University of London better for Mathematics?

Mathematics graduates earn a median £29,500 three years after graduating from Lancaster University, and £31,000 from Royal Holloway, University of London. Student satisfaction with teaching is 89% at Lancaster University and 83% at Royal Holloway, University of London. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Lancaster University or Royal Holloway, University of London offer more courses?

Lancaster University lists 526 courses on CourseOptions and Royal Holloway, University of London lists 351 courses.

What can you study at Lancaster University but not at Royal Holloway, University of London?

Lancaster University teaches 29 subject areas that Royal Holloway, University of London does not, including Linguistics, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Environmental Sciences, General Engineering, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Operational Research and 21 more.

What can you study at Royal Holloway, University of London but not at Lancaster University?

Royal Holloway, University of London teaches 18 subject areas that Lancaster University does not, including Geology & Earth Sciences, Music, German & Scandinavian Studies, Classical Studies, Liberal Arts, Applied Psychology, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Biology and 10 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

L
Lancaster University526 courses · 11 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
R
Royal Holloway, University of London351 courses · 32 scholarshipsBrowse Courses