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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

U
UCL (University College London)

Camden · QS World #8

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 12 datapoints

We looked at 12 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

2/12

Lancaster

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

10/12

UCL (University College London)

scored higher in 10 categories

Quick Verdict

UCL (University College London) leads in 10 of 12 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, employment, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Lancaster University is ahead on TEF, satisfaction.

Lancaster University vs UCL (University College London) at a glance

Lancaster University and UCL (University College London) both teach 62 subject areas, the largest being Mathematics, Business & Management (General) and Biomedical Sciences. Lancaster University offers 526 courses across 71 subject areas; UCL (University College London) offers 1,131 courses across 109 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,680 a year at Lancaster University and £29,800 at UCL (University College London): Lancaster University is about £1,120 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,300 a year at Lancaster University and £34,700 at UCL (University College London): Lancaster University is about £10,400 a year cheaper.

Of the 27 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, UCL (University College London) is higher in 25 and Lancaster University in 2. The widest gap is in Law: £24,500 three years after graduating from Lancaster University, against £41,000 from UCL (University College London). Of the 29 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Lancaster University is higher in 14 and UCL (University College London) in 11, with 4 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#164
QS World
#8
#184
THE World
#22
#10
Guardian UK
#9
1964
Established
1826
No
Russell Group
Yes
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

UCL (University College London)

88.5%
86.5%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£46,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.1%
80.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.4%
51.9%

International

International student share

526
1131

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

11
18

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

UCL (University College London)

127 countries · 51.9% international

  • 🇨🇳China53.3%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.9%
  • 🇺🇸United States4.2%
  • 🇮🇳India3.4%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore2.4%

Subjects

62 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

UCL (University College London)

Also taught at both: Human Geography & Environment, Law, Philosophy, General Engineering, Media & Film Studies, Chemistry, Architecture, History, Management, Civil Engineering, Design & Fashion, Geography (General), Mechanical Engineering, Marketing, Statistics, Clinical Specialities, Health & Social Care, Building & Construction, Ecology & Conservation, Biochemistry, Fine Art, Pharmacology, English Literature, Finance & Actuarial Science, Public Health & Epidemiology, Software Engineering, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Accounting, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Social Policy & Public Policy, Biological Sciences (General), Developmental & Educational Psychology, English Language, Physical Geography & Climate, Computing & IT, Medicine, English Studies, Information Systems & Data Science, Materials Science, Mental Health Nursing, Theology & Religious Studies, Business Studies, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Zoology & Animal Biology, Creative Writing, Clinical & Health Psychology, Humanities.

Only at Lancaster University

Only at UCL (University College 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
UCL (University College London)
£29,800

Lancaster University is about £1,120 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Lancaster University
£24,300
UCL (University College London)
£34,700

Lancaster University is about £10,400 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

UCL (University College London)

  • Mathematics

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£41,000
    89%Satisfaction87%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£38,000
    82%Satisfaction93%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£34,500
    92%Satisfaction79%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    92%Satisfaction87%

  • Computer Science

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£51,000
    80%Satisfaction80%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    90%Satisfaction87%

  • Economics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£45,000
    86%Satisfaction79%

  • Physics

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£42,000
    93%Satisfaction83%

  • Ancient Languages

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    92%Satisfaction92%

  • Psychology (General)

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    87%Satisfaction90%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£40,000
    68%Satisfaction90%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£40,000
    85%Satisfaction81%

Showing the 12 largest of 29 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 →

UCL (University College London)

Commercial Bar Opportunity Scholarship

£25,000

Deadline: N/A

AHRC Doctoral Landscape Award

100%

Deadline: N/A

UCL Department of Arts and Sciences (UASc) Interdisciplinary Excellence PhD Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Law Society Pro Bono Bursary

£250

Deadline: N/A

Alonso Gurmendi Dunkelberg, UCL Graduate Research Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Lancaster University vs UCL (University College London): common questions

Is Lancaster University or UCL (University College London) cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,680 a year at Lancaster University and £29,800 at UCL (University College London): Lancaster University is about £1,120 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,300 a year at Lancaster University and £34,700 at UCL (University College London): Lancaster University is about £10,400 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 UCL (University College London)?

Both universities teach 62 subject areas: Mathematics, Business & Management (General), Biomedical Sciences, Childhood & Youth Studies, Sociology & Criminology, Computer Science, Politics & International Relations, Economics, Physics, Ancient Languages, Psychology (General), Electronic & Electrical Engineering and 50 more.

Is Lancaster University or UCL (University College London) better for Mathematics?

Mathematics graduates earn a median £29,500 three years after graduating from Lancaster University, and £41,000 from UCL (University College London). Student satisfaction with teaching is 89% at Lancaster University and 87% at UCL (University College London). Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Lancaster University or UCL (University College London) offer more courses?

UCL (University College London) lists 1,131 courses on CourseOptions and Lancaster University lists 526 courses.

What can you study at Lancaster University but not at UCL (University College London)?

Lancaster University teaches 9 subject areas that UCL (University College London) does not, including Environmental Sciences, Operational Research, Natural Sciences, Drama & Theatre, Cultural Studies, Complementary & Alternative Medicine, Human Resource Management, Social Work and 1 more.

What can you study at UCL (University College London) but not at Lancaster University?

UCL (University College London) teaches 47 subject areas that Lancaster University does not, including German & Scandinavian Studies, Eastern European Languages, French, Geology & Earth Sciences, Planning & Housing, Italian, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Anthropology and 39 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

L
Lancaster University526 courses · 11 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
UCL (University College London)1,131 courses · 18 scholarshipsBrowse Courses