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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 Exeter

Devon · QS World #136

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.

4/11

Lancaster

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

7/11

Exeter

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Exeter leads in 7 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, employment, graduate salary, courses). Lancaster University is ahead on ranking, satisfaction, international, scholarship.

Lancaster University vs University of Exeter at a glance

Lancaster University and University of Exeter both teach 57 subject areas, the largest being Mathematics, Politics & International Relations and Business & Management (General). Lancaster University offers 526 courses across 71 subject areas; University of Exeter offers 873 courses across 91 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,680 a year at Lancaster University and £24,950 at University of Exeter: University of Exeter is about £3,730 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,300 a year at Lancaster University and £25,550 at University of Exeter: Lancaster University is about £1,250 a year cheaper.

Of the 34 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Exeter is higher in 27 and Lancaster University in 6, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Accounting: £32,000 three years after graduating from Lancaster University, against £43,500 from University of Exeter. Of the 33 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Lancaster University is higher in 21 and University of Exeter in 10, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#164
QS World
#136
#184
THE World
#170
#10
Guardian UK
#14
1964
Established
1922
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 Exeter

88.5%
87.7%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£39,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.1%
82.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.4%
22.2%

International

International student share

526
873

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

11
2

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

Exeter

111 countries · 22.2% international

  • 🇨🇳China25.1%
  • 🇮🇳India10.9%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong10%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia2.9%
  • 🇺🇸United States2.8%

Subjects

57 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 Exeter

Also taught at both: English Studies, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Psychology (General), Marketing, Ecology & Conservation, Civil Engineering, Accounting, Environmental Sciences, Ancient Languages, Theology & Religious Studies, Geography (General), Business Studies, Mechanical Engineering, Zoology & Animal Biology, Biochemistry, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Physical Geography & Climate, Childhood & Youth Studies, Drama & Theatre, Natural Sciences, Biological Sciences (General), Management, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Statistics, English Language, Health & Social Care, Information Systems & Data Science, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Public Health & Epidemiology, Creative Writing, Humanities, Software Engineering, Clinical Specialities, Cultural Studies, Human Resource Management, Medicine, Clinical & Health Psychology, Computing & IT, Building & Construction, Materials Science.

Only at Lancaster University

Only at University of Exeter

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 Exeter
£24,950

University of Exeter is about £3,730 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Lancaster University
£24,300
University of Exeter
£25,550

Lancaster University is about £1,250 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 Exeter

  • Mathematics

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    89%Satisfaction88%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    90%Satisfaction88%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£39,000
    82%Satisfaction84%

  • Physics

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    93%Satisfaction94%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    90%Satisfaction86%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    92%Satisfaction88%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    92%Satisfaction91%

  • Computer Science

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£40,500
    80%Satisfaction83%

  • Economics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£40,000
    86%Satisfaction88%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    94%Satisfaction92%

  • General Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    87%Satisfaction59%

  • Philosophy

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    98%Satisfaction89%

Showing the 12 largest of 35 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 Exeter

Bell Burnell Graduate Scholarship Fund

See details

Deadline: N/A

Carolyn and Andrew Trevorrow Memorial Fund Travel Bursaries

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Lancaster University vs University of Exeter: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,680 a year at Lancaster University and £24,950 at University of Exeter: University of Exeter is about £3,730 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,300 a year at Lancaster University and £25,550 at University of Exeter: Lancaster University is about £1,250 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 Exeter?

Both universities teach 57 subject areas: Mathematics, Politics & International Relations, Business & Management (General), Physics, Law, Biomedical Sciences, Sociology & Criminology, Computer Science, Economics, History, General Engineering, Philosophy and 45 more.

Is Lancaster University or University of Exeter better for Mathematics?

Mathematics graduates earn a median £29,500 three years after graduating from Lancaster University, and £32,500 from University of Exeter. Student satisfaction with teaching is 89% at Lancaster University and 88% at University of Exeter. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Lancaster University or University of Exeter offer more courses?

University of Exeter lists 873 courses on CourseOptions and Lancaster University lists 526 courses.

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

Lancaster University teaches 14 subject areas that University of Exeter does not, including Linguistics, Chemistry, English Literature, Operational Research, Pharmacology, Fine Art, Design & Fashion, Architecture and 6 more.

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

University of Exeter teaches 34 subject areas that Lancaster University does not, including Classical Studies, History of Art & Design, Archaeology, Geology & Earth Sciences, Anatomy & Pathology, Film Production & Cinematography, Safety & Mining Engineering, Anthropology and 26 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 Exeter873 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses