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.
Lancaster · QS World #164
Belfast · QS World #595
Head-to-Head Summary
Based on 9 datapoints
We looked at 9 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.
7/9
Lancaster
scored higher in 7 categories
2/9
Ulster
scored higher in 2 categories
Quick Verdict
Lancaster University leads in 7 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, courses, scholarship). Ulster University is ahead on employment, international.
Lancaster University vs Ulster University at a glance
Lancaster University and Ulster University both teach 43 subject areas, the largest being Sociology & Criminology, Biomedical Sciences and Law. Lancaster University offers 526 courses across 71 subject areas; Ulster University offers 170 courses across 66 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,680 a year at Lancaster University and £17,490 at Ulster University: Ulster University is about £11,190 a year cheaper.
Of the 27 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Lancaster University is higher in 14 and Ulster University in 12, with 1 about level.
World & National Rankings
Compare world and national league table positions, TEF ratings, and Russell Group membership.
Visual Breakdown
Key metrics at a glance
Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.
Lancaster University
Ulster University
Satisfaction
Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)
Graduate Salaries (5y)
Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation
Employment
Graduate employment rate
International
International student share
Course Counts
Number of courses offered
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%
Ulster
45 countries · 32.5% international
- 🇵🇰Pakistan27.8%
- 🇮🇪Ireland21.4%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria16.1%
- 🇮🇳India12.6%
- 🇧🇩Bangladesh8.6%
Subjects
43 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
Ulster University
Sociology & Criminology
21 coursesTypical fee £23,750 (UG)
6 coursesTypical fee £17,490 (UG)
Biomedical Sciences
23 coursesTypical fee £31,820 (UG)
3 coursesTypical fee £17,490 (UG)
Law
16 coursesTypical fee £23,750 (UG)
9 coursesTypical fee £17,490 (UG)
Computer Science
17 coursesTypical fee £31,820 (UG)
6 coursesTypical fee £17,490 (UG)
Politics & International Relations
21 coursesTypical fee £23,750 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £17,490 (UG)
Linguistics
19 coursesTypical fee £23,750 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £17,490 (UG)
Economics
18 coursesTypical fee £28,680 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £17,490 (UG)
Marketing
15 coursesTypical fee £28,680 (UG)
4 coursesTypical fee £17,490 (UG)
Electronic & Electrical Engineering
13 coursesTypical fee £31,820 (UG)
4 coursesTypical fee £17,490 (UG)
Media & Film Studies
14 coursesTypical fee £23,750 (UG)
3 coursesTypical fee £17,490 (UG)
Accounting
Chemical Engineering
14 coursesTypical fee £31,820 (UG)
1 courseTypical fee £17,490 (UG)
General Engineering
10 coursesTypical fee £31,820 (UG)
3 coursesTypical fee £17,490 (UG)
Environmental Sciences
10 coursesTypical fee £31,820 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £17,490 (UG)
Business Studies
Also taught at both: Design & Fashion, English Literature, Mechanical Engineering, Sport & Exercise Sciences, History, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Psychology (General), Fine Art, Health & Social Care, Software Engineering, Architecture, Civil Engineering, Drama & Theatre, Finance & Actuarial Science, Information Systems & Data Science, Physical Geography & Climate, Social Work, English Studies, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Building & Construction, Social Policy & Public Policy, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Computing & IT, Management, Medicine, Complementary & Alternative Medicine, Human Resource Management, Public Health & Epidemiology.
Only at Lancaster 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
- Ulster University
- £17,490
Ulster University is about £11,190 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Lancaster University
- £24,300
- Ulster University
- No data
We do not have reliable international fee data for Ulster University 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
Ulster University
Sociology & Criminology
£23,000Salary (3 years)No data92%Satisfaction84%Biomedical Sciences
£25,500Salary (3 years)No data92%Satisfaction83%Law
£24,500Salary (3 years)No data90%Satisfaction87%Computer Science
£35,000Salary (3 years)No data80%Satisfaction79%Politics & International Relations
£27,000Salary (3 years)No data90%Satisfaction84%Linguistics
£22,500Salary (3 years)No data94%Satisfaction88%Economics
£31,000Salary (3 years)No data86%Satisfaction88%Marketing
£29,500Salary (3 years)No data90%Satisfaction85%Electronic & Electrical Engineering
£32,000Salary (3 years)No data68%Satisfaction86%Media & Film Studies
£19,500Salary (3 years)No data89%Satisfaction82%Accounting
£32,000Salary (3 years)No data90%Satisfaction95%Chemical Engineering
£30,000Salary (3 years)No data85%Satisfaction90%
Showing the 12 largest of 27 shared subjects with published outcomes.
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveLancaster 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
Ulster University
View all scholarships →FAQ
Lancaster University vs Ulster University: common questions
Is Lancaster University or Ulster University cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,680 a year at Lancaster University and £17,490 at Ulster University: Ulster University is about £11,190 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 Ulster University?
Both universities teach 43 subject areas: Sociology & Criminology, Biomedical Sciences, Law, Computer Science, Politics & International Relations, Linguistics, Economics, Marketing, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Media & Film Studies, Accounting, Chemical Engineering and 31 more.
Does Lancaster University or Ulster University offer more courses?
Lancaster University lists 526 courses on CourseOptions and Ulster University lists 170 courses.
What can you study at Lancaster University but not at Ulster University?
Lancaster University teaches 28 subject areas that Ulster University does not, including Mathematics, Business & Management (General), Physics, Human Geography & Environment, Chemistry, Philosophy, Geography (General), Operational Research and 20 more.
What can you study at Ulster University but not at Lancaster University?
Ulster University teaches 23 subject areas that Lancaster University does not, including Irish Studies, Journalism, Music, Film Production & Cinematography, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Nutrition & Dietetics, Anatomy & Pathology, Biomedical Engineering and 15 more.
Ready to explore courses?
Browse available courses, check entry requirements, and find scholarships at each university.