Skip to main content

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

T
The University of Edinburgh

Edinburgh · QS World #35

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.

2/11

Lancaster

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

9/11

Edinburgh

scored higher in 9 categories

Quick Verdict

The University of Edinburgh leads in 9 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, employment, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Lancaster University is ahead on ranking, satisfaction.

Lancaster University vs The University of Edinburgh at a glance

Lancaster University and The University of Edinburgh both teach 65 subject areas, the largest being Mathematics, Law and Computer Science. Lancaster University offers 526 courses across 71 subject areas; The University of Edinburgh offers 936 courses across 116 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,680 a year at Lancaster University and £29,600 at The University of Edinburgh: Lancaster University is about £920 a year cheaper.

Of the 34 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, The University of Edinburgh is higher in 29 and Lancaster University in 5. The widest gap is in Economics: £31,000 three years after graduating from Lancaster University, against £38,000 from The University of Edinburgh. Of the 34 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Lancaster University is higher in 27 and The University of Edinburgh in 6, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#164
QS World
#35
#184
THE World
#29
#10
Guardian UK
#17
1964
Established
1583
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

The University of Edinburgh

88.5%
85.3%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£37,600

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.1%
83%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.4%
41.6%

International

International student share

526
936

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

11
112

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

Edinburgh

122 countries · 41.6% international

  • 🇨🇳China44.5%
  • 🇺🇸United States9.3%
  • 🇮🇳India5.4%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia2.7%
  • 🇨🇦Canada2.4%

Subjects

65 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

The University of Edinburgh

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

Only at Lancaster University

Only at The University of Edinburgh

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
The University of Edinburgh
£29,600

Lancaster University is about £920 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Lancaster University
£24,300
The University of Edinburgh
No data

We do not have reliable international fee data for The University of Edinburgh 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

The University of Edinburgh

  • Mathematics

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    89%Satisfaction81%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    90%Satisfaction86%

  • Computer Science

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£37,000
    80%Satisfaction74%

  • Physics

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    93%Satisfaction85%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    92%Satisfaction82%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    90%Satisfaction87%

  • Linguistics

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    94%Satisfaction87%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    92%Satisfaction85%

  • Economics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£38,000
    86%Satisfaction81%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    94%Satisfaction88%

  • Philosophy

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    98%Satisfaction88%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£34,000
    68%Satisfaction81%

Showing the 12 largest of 35 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 →

The University of Edinburgh

Asylum Seeker Scholarship

£21,000

Deadline: N/A

Education Beyond Borders postgraduate scholarship

£20,780

Deadline: N/A

Cameron Law Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Online Learning Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Rosedale OSSD University of Edinburgh Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Lancaster University vs The University of Edinburgh: common questions

Is Lancaster University or The University of Edinburgh cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,680 a year at Lancaster University and £29,600 at The University of Edinburgh: Lancaster University is about £920 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 The University of Edinburgh?

Both universities teach 65 subject areas: Mathematics, Law, Computer Science, Physics, Business & Management (General), Sociology & Criminology, Theology & Religious Studies, Politics & International Relations, Linguistics, Biomedical Sciences, Economics, History and 53 more.

Is Lancaster University or The University of Edinburgh better for Mathematics?

Mathematics graduates earn a median £29,500 three years after graduating from Lancaster University, and £31,000 from The University of Edinburgh. Student satisfaction with teaching is 89% at Lancaster University and 81% at The University of Edinburgh. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Lancaster University or The University of Edinburgh offer more courses?

The University of Edinburgh lists 936 courses on CourseOptions and Lancaster University lists 526 courses.

What can you study at Lancaster University but not at The University of Edinburgh?

Lancaster University teaches 6 subject areas that The University of Edinburgh does not, including Fine Art, Natural Sciences, English Studies, Complementary & Alternative Medicine, Human Resource Management and Materials Science.

What can you study at The University of Edinburgh but not at Lancaster University?

The University of Edinburgh teaches 51 subject areas that Lancaster University does not, including German & Scandinavian Studies, Teacher Training, French, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Classical Studies, Spanish & Portuguese, Veterinary Medicine, Asian Languages & Studies and 43 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

L
Lancaster University526 courses · 11 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
T
The University of Edinburgh936 courses · 112 scholarshipsBrowse Courses