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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 Leeds

Leeds · QS World #77

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.

3/12

Lancaster

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

9/12

Leeds

scored higher in 9 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Leeds leads in 9 of 12 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, employment, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Lancaster University is ahead on ranking, TEF, satisfaction.

Lancaster University vs University of Leeds at a glance

Lancaster University and University of Leeds both teach 62 subject areas, the largest being Physics, Mathematics and Business & Management (General). Lancaster University offers 526 courses across 71 subject areas; University of Leeds offers 579 courses across 110 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,680 a year at Lancaster University and £33,700 at University of Leeds: Lancaster University is about £5,020 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,300 a year at Lancaster University and £31,500 at University of Leeds: Lancaster University is about £7,200 a year cheaper.

Of the 38 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Leeds is higher in 29 and Lancaster University in 8, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Pharmacology: £25,500 three years after graduating from Lancaster University, against £38,000 from University of Leeds. Of the 37 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Lancaster University is higher in 26 and University of Leeds in 8, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#164
QS World
#77
#184
THE World
#118
#10
Guardian UK
#15
1964
Established
1904
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 Leeds

88.5%
85.7%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£37,200

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.1%
82.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.4%
31.5%

International

International student share

526
579

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

11
13

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

Leeds

105 countries · 31.5% international

  • 🇨🇳China49.5%
  • 🇮🇳India9.6%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.9%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.4%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.8%

Subjects

62 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 Leeds

Also taught at both: Business Studies, Marketing, Human Geography & Environment, Chemical Engineering, Design & Fashion, History, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, English Literature, Environmental Sciences, General Engineering, Management, Mechanical Engineering, Natural Sciences, Drama & Theatre, Ecology & Conservation, Ancient Languages, Biological Sciences (General), Psychology (General), Statistics, Finance & Actuarial Science, Fine Art, Pharmacology, Zoology & Animal Biology, English Studies, Information Systems & Data Science, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Theology & Religious Studies, Biochemistry, English Language, Health & Social Care, Social Policy & Public Policy, Childhood & Youth Studies, Physical Geography & Climate, Software Engineering, Architecture, Human Resource Management, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Cultural Studies, Medicine, Public Health & Epidemiology, Creative Writing, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Clinical & Health Psychology, Humanities, Materials Science, Mental Health Nursing, Social Work.

Only at Lancaster University

Only at University of Leeds

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 Leeds
£33,700

Lancaster University is about £5,020 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Lancaster University
£24,300
University of Leeds
£31,500

Lancaster University is about £7,200 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 Leeds

  • Physics

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    93%Satisfaction89%

  • Mathematics

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£31,500
    89%Satisfaction83%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    90%Satisfaction85%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    92%Satisfaction82%

  • Computer Science

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£42,000
    80%Satisfaction79%

  • Economics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£36,000
    86%Satisfaction88%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    90%Satisfaction87%

  • Chemistry

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    100%Satisfaction85%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    92%Satisfaction76%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    68%Satisfaction92%

  • Linguistics

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    94%Satisfaction89%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    89%Satisfaction90%

Showing the 12 largest of 38 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 Leeds

Gazan Humanitarian Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Gazan Humanitarian Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Global Community Bursary

£10,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

Sanctuary Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Lancaster University vs University of Leeds: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,680 a year at Lancaster University and £33,700 at University of Leeds: Lancaster University is about £5,020 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,300 a year at Lancaster University and £31,500 at University of Leeds: Lancaster University is about £7,200 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 Leeds?

Both universities teach 62 subject areas: Physics, Mathematics, Business & Management (General), Politics & International Relations, Sociology & Criminology, Computer Science, Civil Engineering, Economics, Law, Chemistry, Biomedical Sciences, Electronic & Electrical Engineering and 50 more.

Is Lancaster University or University of Leeds better for Physics?

Physics graduates earn a median £29,500 three years after graduating from Lancaster University, and £29,000 from University of Leeds. Student satisfaction with teaching is 93% at Lancaster University and 89% at University of Leeds. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Lancaster University or University of Leeds offer more courses?

University of Leeds lists 579 courses on CourseOptions and Lancaster University lists 526 courses.

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

Lancaster University teaches 9 subject areas that University of Leeds does not, including Accounting, Geography (General), Operational Research, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Computing & IT, Building & Construction, Clinical Specialities, Complementary & Alternative Medicine and 1 more.

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

University of Leeds teaches 48 subject areas that Lancaster University does not, including Music, Education Studies, Personal & Professional Development, Asian Languages & Studies, Geology & Earth Sciences, Medical Imaging, Biomedical Engineering, Nutrition & Dietetics and 40 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 Leeds579 courses · 13 scholarshipsBrowse Courses