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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

S
Swansea University

Swansea · QS World #322

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.

8/10

Lancaster

scored higher in 8 categories

VS

2/10

Swansea

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

Lancaster University leads in 8 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary, scholarship). Swansea University is ahead on established, courses.

Lancaster University vs Swansea University at a glance

Lancaster University and Swansea University both teach 61 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Mathematics and Law. Lancaster University offers 526 courses across 71 subject areas; Swansea University offers 916 courses across 97 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,680 a year at Lancaster University and £21,550 at Swansea University: Swansea University is about £7,130 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,300 a year at Lancaster University and £22,950 at Swansea University: Swansea University is about £1,350 a year cheaper.

Of the 34 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Lancaster University is higher in 28 and Swansea University in 6. The widest gap is in Accounting: £32,000 three years after graduating from Lancaster University, against £25,000 from Swansea University. Of the 32 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Lancaster University is higher in 19 and Swansea University in 9, with 4 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#164
QS World
#322
#184
THE World
#301
#10
Guardian UK
#32
1964
Established
1920
No
Russell Group
No
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

Swansea University

88.5%
86.1%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£31,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.1%
78.5%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.4%
14.1%

International

International student share

526
916

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

11
5

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

Swansea

73 countries · 14.1% international

  • 🇮🇳India25.4%
  • 🇨🇳China12.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria8.2%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia4.5%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong3.9%

Subjects

61 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

Swansea University

Also taught at both: General Engineering, Linguistics, Human Geography & Environment, Business Studies, English Literature, Psychology (General), Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Marketing, Philosophy, Biochemistry, Mechanical Engineering, Accounting, Environmental Sciences, Health & Social Care, Childhood & Youth Studies, Pharmacology, Ecology & Conservation, English Language, Physical Geography & Climate, Sport & Exercise Sciences, English Studies, Geography (General), Social Policy & Public Policy, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Software Engineering, Zoology & Animal Biology, Design & Fashion, Biological Sciences (General), Computing & IT, Creative Writing, Social Work, Building & Construction, Human Resource Management, Humanities, Information Systems & Data Science, Mental Health Nursing, Public Health & Epidemiology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Clinical Specialities, Management, Medicine, Clinical & Health Psychology, Complementary & Alternative Medicine, Materials Science, Theology & Religious Studies.

Only at Lancaster University

Only at Swansea 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
Swansea University
£21,550

Swansea University is about £7,130 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Lancaster University
£24,300
Swansea University
£22,950

Swansea University is about £1,350 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

Swansea University

  • Business & Management (General)

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    82%SatisfactionNo data

  • Mathematics

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    89%Satisfaction86%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    90%Satisfaction82%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    90%Satisfaction90%

  • Computer Science

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£31,500
    80%Satisfaction84%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    92%Satisfaction87%

  • Economics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    86%Satisfaction90%

  • Physics

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    93%Satisfaction91%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    92%Satisfaction92%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    68%Satisfaction69%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£20,000
    89%Satisfaction84%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£21,500
    94%Satisfaction90%

Showing the 12 largest of 34 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 →

Swansea University

History and Heritage Studies: AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership Studentship (Fully Funded) in History with Museum Wales (RS950)

100%

Deadline: N/A

History: AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership Studentship (Fully Funded) in History with The National Archives (RS948)

100%

Deadline: N/A

History: AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership Studentship in History with Museum Wales (RS949)

See details

Deadline: N/A

PhD Studentship in Sustainable Fusion Steels: Whole Lifecycle Design of Tokamak Vacuum Vessel Steels (RS964)

See details

Deadline: N/A

Swansea University International Postgraduate Research Excellence Scholarships 2025/26

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Lancaster University vs Swansea University: common questions

Is Lancaster University or Swansea University cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,680 a year at Lancaster University and £21,550 at Swansea University: Swansea University is about £7,130 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,300 a year at Lancaster University and £22,950 at Swansea University: Swansea University is about £1,350 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 Swansea University?

Both universities teach 61 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Mathematics, Law, Politics & International Relations, Computer Science, Sociology & Criminology, Economics, Physics, Biomedical Sciences, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Media & Film Studies, History and 49 more.

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

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £31,000 three years after graduating from Lancaster University, and £25,000 from Swansea University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Lancaster University or Swansea University offer more courses?

Swansea University lists 916 courses on CourseOptions and Lancaster University lists 526 courses.

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

Lancaster University teaches 10 subject areas that Swansea University does not, including Operational Research, Statistics, Fine Art, Natural Sciences, Architecture, Drama & Theatre, Ancient Languages, Cultural Studies and 2 more.

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

Swansea University teaches 36 subject areas that Lancaster University does not, including Teacher Training, Genetics & Genomics, Education Studies, American & Comparative Studies, Medical Sciences, Classical Studies, Aerospace Engineering, Biology and 28 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

L
Lancaster University526 courses · 11 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
S
Swansea University916 courses · 5 scholarshipsBrowse Courses