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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
University College Birmingham

Birmingham

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 8 datapoints

We looked at 8 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

6/8

Lancaster

scored higher in 6 categories

VS

2/8

University College Birmingham

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

Lancaster University leads in 6 of 8 categories where both have data (TEF, satisfaction, employment, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University College Birmingham is ahead on established, international.

Lancaster University vs University College Birmingham at a glance

Lancaster University and University College Birmingham both teach 24 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Sociology & Criminology and Politics & International Relations. Lancaster University offers 526 courses across 71 subject areas; University College Birmingham offers 115 courses across 36 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,680 a year at Lancaster University and £13,500 at University College Birmingham: University College Birmingham is about £15,180 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,300 a year at Lancaster University and £17,000 at University College Birmingham: University College Birmingham is about £7,300 a year cheaper.

Of the 5 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Lancaster University is higher in 5 and University College Birmingham in 0. The widest gap is in Business & Management (General): £31,000 three years after graduating from Lancaster University, against £20,000 from University College Birmingham. Of the 7 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University College Birmingham is higher in 4 and Lancaster University in 3.

World & National Rankings

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

#164
QS World
—
#184
THE World
—
#10
Guardian UK
—
1964
Established
1957
No
Russell Group
No
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

University College Birmingham

88.5%
88.3%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£25,600

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.1%
77.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.4%
47%

International

International student share

526
115

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

11
7

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

University College Birmingham

26 countries · 47% international

  • 🌐Nepal48.9%
  • 🇮🇳India24.7%
  • 🇨🇳China11.5%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh3.8%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan3.3%

Subjects

24 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

University College Birmingham

Also taught at both: Software Engineering, Architecture, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Civil Engineering, Clinical & Health Psychology, Complementary & Alternative Medicine, Mental Health Nursing, Public Health & Epidemiology.

Only at Lancaster University

Only at University College Birmingham

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
University College Birmingham
£13,500

University College Birmingham is about £15,180 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Lancaster University
£24,300
University College Birmingham
£17,000

University College Birmingham is about £7,300 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

University College Birmingham

  • Business & Management (General)

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    82%Satisfaction93%

  • Computer Science

    £35,000Salary (3 years)No data
    80%Satisfaction87%

  • Marketing

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£20,000
    90%Satisfaction85%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    99%Satisfaction96%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    83%Satisfaction89%

  • Design & Fashion

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£18,500
    82%SatisfactionNo data

  • Software Engineering

    £34,500Salary (3 years)No data
    92%Satisfaction89%

  • Architecture

    No dataSalary (3 years)No data
    85%Satisfaction91%

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 →

University College Birmingham

GREAT Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Vice-Chancellor's Award

100%

Deadline: N/A

Dean's Award

50%

Deadline: N/A

Early Action Scholarship

£4,500

Deadline: Jul 2026

Alumni Scholarship

25%

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Lancaster University vs University College Birmingham: common questions

Is Lancaster University or University College Birmingham cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,680 a year at Lancaster University and £13,500 at University College Birmingham: University College Birmingham is about £15,180 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,300 a year at Lancaster University and £17,000 at University College Birmingham: University College Birmingham is about £7,300 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 University College Birmingham?

Both universities teach 24 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Sociology & Criminology, Politics & International Relations, Computer Science, Marketing, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Finance & Actuarial Science, Psychology (General), Business Studies, Health & Social Care, Mechanical Engineering, Building & Construction and 12 more.

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

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £31,000 three years after graduating from Lancaster University, and £20,000 from University College Birmingham. Student satisfaction with teaching is 82% at Lancaster University and 93% at University College Birmingham. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Lancaster University or University College Birmingham offer more courses?

Lancaster University lists 526 courses on CourseOptions and University College Birmingham lists 115 courses.

What can you study at Lancaster University but not at University College Birmingham?

Lancaster University teaches 47 subject areas that University College Birmingham does not, including Mathematics, Biomedical Sciences, Physics, Linguistics, Economics, Law, Chemical Engineering, Media & Film Studies and 39 more.

What can you study at University College Birmingham but not at Lancaster University?

University College Birmingham teaches 12 subject areas that Lancaster University does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Food Science, Food Production & Technology, Planning & Housing, Crafts & Applied Arts, Education Studies, Adult Nursing, Applied Psychology and 4 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
University College Birmingham115 courses · 7 scholarshipsBrowse Courses