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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 of Birmingham

Birmingham · QS World #68

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.

4/12

Lancaster

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

8/12

Birmingham

scored higher in 8 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Birmingham leads in 8 of 12 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, employment, international, graduate salary, courses). Lancaster University is ahead on ranking, TEF, satisfaction, scholarship.

Lancaster University vs University of Birmingham at a glance

Lancaster University and University of Birmingham both teach 59 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Business & Management (General) and Mathematics. Lancaster University offers 526 courses across 71 subject areas; University of Birmingham offers 663 courses across 101 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,680 a year at Lancaster University and £27,090 at University of Birmingham: University of Birmingham is about £1,590 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,300 a year at Lancaster University and £23,390 at University of Birmingham: University of Birmingham is about £910 a year cheaper.

Of the 32 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Birmingham is higher in 30 and Lancaster University in 1, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Marketing: £29,500 three years after graduating from Lancaster University, against £35,000 from University of Birmingham. Of the 33 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Lancaster University is higher in 24 and University of Birmingham in 7, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#164
QS World
#68
#184
THE World
#98
#10
Guardian UK
#18
1964
Established
1900
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

University of Birmingham

88.5%
86.7%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£38,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.1%
83.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.4%
31.2%

International

International student share

526
663

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

11
3

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

Birmingham

104 countries · 31.2% international

  • 🇨🇳China55.7%
  • 🇮🇳India9.4%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.2%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.8%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia2%

Subjects

59 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 of Birmingham

Also taught at both: Chemistry, Health & Social Care, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Sport & Exercise Sciences, General Engineering, Civil Engineering, Geography (General), Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Human Geography & Environment, Psychology (General), Finance & Actuarial Science, Accounting, Ancient Languages, Business Studies, English Language, English Literature, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Biochemistry, Medicine, Theology & Religious Studies, Childhood & Youth Studies, Drama & Theatre, Statistics, Biological Sciences (General), Natural Sciences, Information Systems & Data Science, Management, Public Health & Epidemiology, Social Policy & Public Policy, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Creative Writing, English Studies, Physical Geography & Climate, Social Work, Software Engineering, Clinical & Health Psychology, Clinical Specialities, Materials Science, Computing & IT, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Mental Health Nursing, Human Resource Management.

Only at Lancaster University

Only at University of 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 of Birmingham
£27,090

University of Birmingham is about £1,590 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Lancaster University
£24,300
University of Birmingham
£23,390

University of Birmingham is about £910 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 of Birmingham

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    90%Satisfaction86%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£35,000
    82%Satisfaction79%

  • Mathematics

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    89%Satisfaction85%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    90%Satisfaction83%

  • Physics

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    93%Satisfaction93%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    92%Satisfaction82%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    92%Satisfaction83%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    94%Satisfaction89%

  • Marketing

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£35,000
    90%Satisfaction79%

  • Philosophy

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    98%Satisfaction93%

  • Economics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£34,500
    86%Satisfaction85%

  • Computer Science

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£40,000
    80%Satisfaction93%

Showing the 12 largest of 33 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 →

University of Birmingham

Enhanced Chamberlain Award

£3,500

Deadline: N/A

University Music Scholarships

£3,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

University Music Scholarships

£1,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Lancaster University vs University of Birmingham: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,680 a year at Lancaster University and £27,090 at University of Birmingham: University of Birmingham is about £1,590 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,300 a year at Lancaster University and £23,390 at University of Birmingham: University of Birmingham is about £910 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 of Birmingham?

Both universities teach 59 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Business & Management (General), Mathematics, Law, Physics, Biomedical Sciences, Sociology & Criminology, History, Marketing, Philosophy, Economics, Computer Science and 47 more.

Is Lancaster University or University of Birmingham better for Politics & International Relations?

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £27,000 three years after graduating from Lancaster University, and £28,000 from University of Birmingham. Student satisfaction with teaching is 90% at Lancaster University and 86% at University of Birmingham. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Lancaster University or University of Birmingham offer more courses?

University of Birmingham lists 663 courses on CourseOptions and Lancaster University lists 526 courses.

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

Lancaster University teaches 12 subject areas that University of Birmingham does not, including Operational Research, Pharmacology, Ecology & Conservation, Fine Art, Design & Fashion, Architecture, Zoology & Animal Biology, Cultural Studies and 4 more.

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

University of Birmingham teaches 42 subject areas that Lancaster University does not, including Teacher Training, Geology & Earth Sciences, International Development, Music, Education Studies, Microbiology & Cell Biology, History of Art & Design, Classical Studies and 34 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 of Birmingham663 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses