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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 Cumbria

Lancaster · Guardian UK #101

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.

8/9

Lancaster

scored higher in 8 categories

VS

1/9

Cumbria

scored higher in 1 category

Quick Verdict

Lancaster University leads in 8 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, TEF, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Cumbria is ahead on employment.

Lancaster University vs University of Cumbria at a glance

Lancaster University and University of Cumbria both teach 22 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Biomedical Sciences and Sociology & Criminology. Lancaster University offers 526 courses across 71 subject areas; University of Cumbria offers 136 courses across 40 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,680 a year at Lancaster University and £16,000 at University of Cumbria: University of Cumbria is about £12,680 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,300 a year at Lancaster University and £16,900 at University of Cumbria: University of Cumbria is about £7,400 a year cheaper.

Of the 14 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Lancaster University is higher in 12 and University of Cumbria in 2. The widest gap is in Business & Management (General): £31,000 three years after graduating from Lancaster University, against £21,000 from University of Cumbria. Of the 13 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Lancaster University is higher in 7 and University of Cumbria 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
—
#184
THE World
—
#10
Guardian UK
#101
1964
Established
2007
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 of Cumbria

88.5%
80.5%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£27,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.1%
89.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.4%
2.6%

International

International student share

526
136

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

11
1

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

Cumbria

14 countries · 2.6% international

  • 🇨🇦Canada14.9%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan14.9%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria10.6%
  • 🇩🇪Germany8.5%
  • 🇮🇪Ireland8.5%

Subjects

22 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 Cumbria

Also taught at both: Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Health & Social Care, Zoology & Animal Biology, Physical Geography & Climate, Management, Mental Health Nursing, Social Work.

Only at Lancaster University

Only at University of Cumbria

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 Cumbria
£16,000

University of Cumbria is about £12,680 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Lancaster University
£24,300
University of Cumbria
£16,900

University of Cumbria is about £7,400 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 Cumbria

  • Business & Management (General)

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    82%Satisfaction85%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    92%Satisfaction100%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£19,500
    92%Satisfaction70%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£18,500
    90%Satisfaction95%

  • Human Geography & Environment

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
    95%Satisfaction77%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    99%Satisfaction84%

  • Environmental Sciences

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
    90%Satisfaction77%

  • Psychology (General)

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    87%Satisfaction87%

  • Design & Fashion

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£17,000
    82%Satisfaction74%

  • Ecology & Conservation

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    92%Satisfaction92%

  • Fine Art

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£17,000
    85%Satisfaction91%

  • Zoology & Animal Biology

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    No dataSatisfaction88%

Showing the 12 largest of 14 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 Cumbria

Future Talent Award

£8,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Lancaster University vs University of Cumbria: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,680 a year at Lancaster University and £16,000 at University of Cumbria: University of Cumbria is about £12,680 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,300 a year at Lancaster University and £16,900 at University of Cumbria: University of Cumbria is about £7,400 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 Cumbria?

Both universities teach 22 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Biomedical Sciences, Sociology & Criminology, Childhood & Youth Studies, Law, Computer Science, Human Geography & Environment, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Psychology (General), Design & Fashion, Mechanical Engineering and 10 more.

Is Lancaster University or University of Cumbria better for Business & Management (General)?

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £31,000 three years after graduating from Lancaster University, and £21,000 from University of Cumbria. Student satisfaction with teaching is 82% at Lancaster University and 85% at University of Cumbria. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Lancaster University or University of Cumbria offer more courses?

Lancaster University lists 526 courses on CourseOptions and University of Cumbria lists 136 courses.

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

Lancaster University teaches 49 subject areas that University of Cumbria does not, including Mathematics, Physics, Politics & International Relations, Linguistics, Economics, Marketing, Chemical Engineering, Media & Film Studies and 41 more.

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

University of Cumbria teaches 18 subject areas that Lancaster University does not, including Film Production & Cinematography, Forestry & Arboriculture, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Nursing (General), Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Adult Nursing, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Education Studies and 10 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 Cumbria136 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses