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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 Bristol

Bristol · QS World #57

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.

5/12

Lancaster

scored higher in 5 categories

VS

7/12

Bristol

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Bristol leads in 7 of 12 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, international, graduate salary, scholarship). Lancaster University is ahead on ranking, TEF, satisfaction, employment, courses.

Lancaster University vs University of Bristol at a glance

Lancaster University and University of Bristol both teach 51 subject areas, the largest being Mathematics, Physics and Business & Management (General). Lancaster University offers 526 courses across 71 subject areas; University of Bristol offers 479 courses across 83 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,680 a year at Lancaster University and £31,300 at University of Bristol: Lancaster University is about £2,620 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,300 a year at Lancaster University and £28,460 at University of Bristol: Lancaster University is about £4,160 a year cheaper.

Of the 27 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Bristol is higher in 25 and Lancaster University in 2. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £35,000 three years after graduating from Lancaster University, against £48,000 from University of Bristol. Of the 26 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Lancaster University is higher in 18 and University of Bristol in 8.

World & National Rankings

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

#164
QS World
#57
#184
THE World
#80
#10
Guardian UK
#13
1964
Established
1876
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 Bristol

88.5%
88%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£43,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.1%
77.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.4%
33.6%

International

International student share

526
479

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

11
54

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

Bristol

104 countries · 33.6% international

  • 🇨🇳China53.5%
  • 🇮🇳India7.2%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong3.8%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.6%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore2.8%

Subjects

51 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 Bristol

Also taught at both: General Engineering, Human Geography & Environment, Media & Film Studies, Accounting, History, Psychology (General), Biochemistry, Social Policy & Public Policy, Finance & Actuarial Science, Physical Geography & Climate, Ancient Languages, Drama & Theatre, English Studies, Mechanical Engineering, Pharmacology, Statistics, Design & Fashion, Geography (General), Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Medicine, Civil Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Business Studies, Social Work, Software Engineering, Health & Social Care, Information Systems & Data Science, Theology & Religious Studies, Zoology & Animal Biology, Childhood & Youth Studies, Computing & IT, Creative Writing, Humanities, Human Resource Management, Public Health & Epidemiology.

Only at Lancaster University

Only at University of Bristol

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 Bristol
£31,300

Lancaster University is about £2,620 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Lancaster University
£24,300
University of Bristol
£28,460

Lancaster University is about £4,160 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 Bristol

  • Mathematics

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£34,500
    89%Satisfaction87%

  • Physics

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£34,500
    93%Satisfaction89%

  • Economics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£42,000
    86%Satisfaction81%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    90%Satisfaction89%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£35,000
    90%Satisfaction87%

  • Computer Science

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£48,000
    80%Satisfaction93%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    92%Satisfaction90%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    92%Satisfaction88%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£36,000
    68%Satisfaction83%

  • Chemistry

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£35,000
    100%Satisfaction88%

  • Marketing

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£40,500
    90%Satisfaction87%

  • Philosophy

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    98%Satisfaction91%

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 →

University of Bristol

Black Heritage PhD Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Black heritage PhD scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Bristol Postgraduate Research Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Bristol Postgraduate Research Scholarships for applicants of Black heritage

100%

Deadline: N/A

British Council scholarships for Women

100%

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Lancaster University vs University of Bristol: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,680 a year at Lancaster University and £31,300 at University of Bristol: Lancaster University is about £2,620 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,300 a year at Lancaster University and £28,460 at University of Bristol: Lancaster University is about £4,160 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 Bristol?

Both universities teach 51 subject areas: Mathematics, Physics, Business & Management (General), Economics, Politics & International Relations, Law, Computer Science, Biomedical Sciences, Sociology & Criminology, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Management, Chemistry and 39 more.

Is Lancaster University or University of Bristol better for Mathematics?

Mathematics graduates earn a median £29,500 three years after graduating from Lancaster University, and £34,500 from University of Bristol. Student satisfaction with teaching is 89% at Lancaster University and 87% at University of Bristol. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Lancaster University or University of Bristol offer more courses?

Lancaster University lists 526 courses on CourseOptions and University of Bristol lists 479 courses.

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

Lancaster University teaches 20 subject areas that University of Bristol does not, including Chemical Engineering, English Literature, Environmental Sciences, Operational Research, Ecology & Conservation, English Language, Fine Art, Natural Sciences and 12 more.

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

University of Bristol teaches 32 subject areas that Lancaster University does not, including Anatomy & Pathology, Dentistry, Geology & Earth Sciences, Education Studies, Music, Film Production & Cinematography, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Veterinary Medicine and 24 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 Bristol479 courses · 54 scholarshipsBrowse Courses