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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
Ulster University

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

VS

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.

#164
QS World
#595
#184
THE World
#601
#10
Guardian UK
#60
1964
Established
1968
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

Ulster University

88.5%
86.4%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
No data

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.1%
84.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.4%
32.5%

International

International student share

526
170

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

11
0

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

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

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.

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 data
    92%Satisfaction84%
  • Biomedical Sciences

    £25,500Salary (3 years)No data
    92%Satisfaction83%
  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)No data
    90%Satisfaction87%
  • Computer Science

    £35,000Salary (3 years)No data
    80%Satisfaction79%
  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,000Salary (3 years)No data
    90%Satisfaction84%
  • Linguistics

    £22,500Salary (3 years)No data
    94%Satisfaction88%
  • Economics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)No data
    86%Satisfaction88%
  • Marketing

    £29,500Salary (3 years)No data
    90%Satisfaction85%
  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)No data
    68%Satisfaction86%
  • Media & Film Studies

    £19,500Salary (3 years)No data
    89%Satisfaction82%
  • Accounting

    £32,000Salary (3 years)No data
    90%Satisfaction95%
  • Chemical Engineering

    £30,000Salary (3 years)No data
    85%Satisfaction90%

Showing the 12 largest of 27 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 →

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.