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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 Derby

Derby · QS World #1201

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.

7/9

Lancaster

scored higher in 7 categories

VS

2/9

Derby

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

Lancaster University leads in 7 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Derby is ahead on established, employment.

Lancaster University vs University of Derby at a glance

Lancaster University and University of Derby both teach 50 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Sociology & Criminology and Mathematics. Lancaster University offers 526 courses across 71 subject areas; University of Derby offers 375 courses across 74 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,680 a year at Lancaster University and £16,900 at University of Derby: University of Derby is about £11,780 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,300 a year at Lancaster University and £17,500 at University of Derby: University of Derby is about £6,800 a year cheaper.

Of the 25 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Lancaster University is higher in 22 and University of Derby in 2, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Business & Management (General): £31,000 three years after graduating from Lancaster University, against £21,000 from University of Derby. Of the 25 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Derby is higher in 14 and Lancaster University in 9, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#164
QS World
#1201
#184
THE World
#601
#10
Guardian UK
#80
1964
Established
1851
No
Russell Group
No
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 Derby

88.5%
88.5%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£27,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.1%
85.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.4%
14.3%

International

International student share

526
375

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

11
6

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

Derby

64 countries · 14.3% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria34.5%
  • 🇮🇳India15.3%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan8.1%
  • 🇬🇭Ghana6.5%
  • 🇰🇪Kenya5.5%

Subjects

50 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 Derby

Also taught at both: Accounting, Human Geography & Environment, History, Environmental Sciences, General Engineering, English Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Health & Social Care, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Business Studies, Mechanical Engineering, Architecture, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Civil Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Creative Writing, Fine Art, Software Engineering, Ecology & Conservation, English Language, Mental Health Nursing, Childhood & Youth Studies, Drama & Theatre, Building & Construction, Technology & Logistics, Zoology & Animal Biology, Computing & IT, Human Resource Management, Management, Clinical Specialities, Humanities, Social Work, Clinical & Health Psychology, Complementary & Alternative Medicine, Public Health & Epidemiology.

Only at Lancaster University

Only at University of Derby

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 Derby
£16,900

University of Derby is about £11,780 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Lancaster University
£24,300
University of Derby
£17,500

University of Derby is about £6,800 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 Derby

  • Business & Management (General)

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    82%Satisfaction93%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    92%Satisfaction85%

  • Marketing

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    90%Satisfaction88%

  • Economics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    86%Satisfaction93%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    92%Satisfaction86%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    90%Satisfaction90%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£20,500
    90%Satisfaction87%

  • Design & Fashion

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£19,000
    82%Satisfaction85%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£20,000
    89%Satisfaction92%

  • Computer Science

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    80%Satisfaction73%

  • Psychology (General)

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£20,000
    87%Satisfaction90%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£22,000
    99%Satisfaction90%

Showing the 12 largest of 26 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 Derby

Biomedical Science Excellence Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Golding Awards

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sarah Essam Football Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sitwell Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Lancaster University vs University of Derby: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,680 a year at Lancaster University and £16,900 at University of Derby: University of Derby is about £11,780 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,300 a year at Lancaster University and £17,500 at University of Derby: University of Derby is about £6,800 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 Derby?

Both universities teach 50 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Sociology & Criminology, Mathematics, Marketing, Economics, Biomedical Sciences, Politics & International Relations, Law, Design & Fashion, Physics, Media & Film Studies, Computer Science and 38 more.

Is Lancaster University or University of Derby 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 Derby. Student satisfaction with teaching is 82% at Lancaster University and 93% at University of Derby. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Lancaster University or University of Derby offer more courses?

Lancaster University lists 526 courses on CourseOptions and University of Derby lists 375 courses.

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

Lancaster University teaches 21 subject areas that University of Derby does not, including Linguistics, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, English Literature, Philosophy, Geography (General), Operational Research, Pharmacology and 13 more.

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

University of Derby teaches 24 subject areas that Lancaster University does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Education Studies, Adult Nursing, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Games Design & Computer Animation, Journalism, Forensic Science, Personal & Professional Development and 16 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 Derby375 courses · 6 scholarshipsBrowse Courses