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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 Cambridge

Cambridge · QS World #6

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 11 datapoints

We looked at 11 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

3/11

Lancaster

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

8/11

Cambridge

scored higher in 8 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Cambridge leads in 8 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary). Lancaster University is ahead on employment, courses, scholarship.

Lancaster University vs University of Cambridge at a glance

Lancaster University and University of Cambridge both teach 49 subject areas, the largest being Mathematics, Business & Management (General) and Biomedical Sciences. Lancaster University offers 526 courses across 71 subject areas; University of Cambridge offers 336 courses across 79 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,680 a year at Lancaster University and £32,890 at University of Cambridge: Lancaster University is about £4,210 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,300 a year at Lancaster University and £41,300 at University of Cambridge: Lancaster University is about £17,000 a year cheaper.

Of the 15 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Cambridge is higher in 14 and Lancaster University in 1. The widest gap is in Economics: £31,000 three years after graduating from Lancaster University, against £59,500 from University of Cambridge. Of the 15 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Cambridge is higher in 9 and Lancaster University in 4, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#164
QS World
#6
#184
THE World
#3
#10
Guardian UK
#2
1964
Established
1209
No
Russell Group
Yes
Gold
TEF Rating
Gold

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.

Lancaster University

University of Cambridge

88.5%
92.1%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£49,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.1%
76.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.4%
32.2%

International

International student share

526
336

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

Cambridge

96 countries · 32.2% international

  • 🇨🇳China28.2%
  • 🇺🇸United States10.3%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore6.6%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5.3%
  • 🇮🇳India4.7%

Subjects

49 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 Cambridge

Also taught at both: Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Media & Film Studies, Philosophy, Chemistry, Childhood & Youth Studies, Geography (General), Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Psychology (General), Architecture, Finance & Actuarial Science, Pharmacology, Statistics, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Clinical Specialities, Management, Software Engineering, Biochemistry, Information Systems & Data Science, Theology & Religious Studies, Business Studies, Creative Writing, English Studies, Health & Social Care, Ancient Languages, Materials Science, Medicine, Zoology & Animal Biology, Building & Construction, Computing & IT, Social Policy & Public Policy, Civil Engineering, Clinical & Health Psychology, Humanities, Technology & Logistics.

Only at Lancaster University

Only at University of Cambridge

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 Cambridge
£32,890

Lancaster University is about £4,210 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Lancaster University
£24,300
University of Cambridge
£41,300

Lancaster University is about £17,000 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 Cambridge

  • Mathematics

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£44,500
    89%Satisfaction94%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£34,000
    90%SatisfactionNo data

  • Biological Sciences (General)

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£35,000
    99%Satisfaction91%

  • Economics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£59,500
    86%Satisfaction86%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£49,000
    90%Satisfaction96%

  • Computer Science

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£63,500
    80%Satisfaction94%

  • Linguistics

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    94%Satisfaction88%

  • General Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£39,500
    87%Satisfaction87%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    94%Satisfaction95%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£43,000
    85%Satisfaction94%

  • Philosophy

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    98%Satisfaction93%

  • Geography (General)

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    85%Satisfaction95%

Showing the 12 largest of 16 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 Cambridge

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Lancaster University vs University of Cambridge: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,680 a year at Lancaster University and £32,890 at University of Cambridge: Lancaster University is about £4,210 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,300 a year at Lancaster University and £41,300 at University of Cambridge: Lancaster University is about £17,000 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 Cambridge?

Both universities teach 49 subject areas: Mathematics, Business & Management (General), Biomedical Sciences, Sociology & Criminology, Politics & International Relations, Physics, Biological Sciences (General), Economics, Law, Computer Science, Linguistics, General Engineering and 37 more.

Is Lancaster University or University of Cambridge better for Mathematics?

Mathematics graduates earn a median £29,500 three years after graduating from Lancaster University, and £44,500 from University of Cambridge. Student satisfaction with teaching is 89% at Lancaster University and 94% at University of Cambridge. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Lancaster University or University of Cambridge offer more courses?

Lancaster University lists 526 courses on CourseOptions and University of Cambridge lists 336 courses.

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

Lancaster University teaches 22 subject areas that University of Cambridge does not, including Marketing, English Literature, Environmental Sciences, Accounting, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Operational Research, Ecology & Conservation and 14 more.

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

University of Cambridge teaches 30 subject areas that Lancaster University does not, including Asian Languages & Studies, Archaeology, Biology, Genetics & Genomics, Anatomy & Pathology, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Veterinary Medicine, Celtic Studies and 22 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 Cambridge336 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses