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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 Leicester

Leicester · QS World #314

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

Leicester

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

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

Lancaster University vs University of Leicester at a glance

Lancaster University and University of Leicester both teach 43 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Mathematics and Law. Lancaster University offers 526 courses across 71 subject areas; University of Leicester offers 351 courses across 72 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,680 a year at Lancaster University and £25,100 at University of Leicester: University of Leicester is about £3,580 a year cheaper.

Of the 27 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Lancaster University is higher in 12 and University of Leicester in 11, with 4 about level. The widest gap is in Media & Film Studies: £19,500 three years after graduating from Lancaster University, against £25,000 from University of Leicester. Of the 26 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Lancaster University is higher in 14 and University of Leicester 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
#314
#184
THE World
#192
#10
Guardian UK
#30
1964
Established
1921
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 Leicester

88.5%
86.2%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£35,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.1%
79%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.4%
19.3%

International

International student share

526
351

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

11
28

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

Leicester

81 countries · 19.3% international

  • 🇮🇳India36.3%
  • 🇨🇦Canada14.8%
  • 🇨🇳China9.4%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria5.9%
  • 🇦🇪United Arab Emirates1.9%

Subjects

43 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 Leicester

Also taught at both: Marketing, History, Human Geography & Environment, Childhood & Youth Studies, Mechanical Engineering, Psychology (General), English Literature, Finance & Actuarial Science, Ancient Languages, Environmental Sciences, Geography (General), Accounting, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Software Engineering, Statistics, Health & Social Care, Biochemistry, English Studies, Physical Geography & Climate, Business Studies, Management, Medicine, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Creative Writing, Cultural Studies, Human Resource Management, Civil Engineering, Humanities.

Only at Lancaster University

Only at University of Leicester

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 Leicester
£25,100

University of Leicester is about £3,580 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Lancaster University
£24,300
University of Leicester
No data

We do not have reliable international fee data for University of Leicester yet.

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 Leicester

  • Business & Management (General)

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    82%Satisfaction82%

  • Mathematics

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    89%Satisfaction79%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    90%Satisfaction85%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    90%Satisfaction92%

  • Computer Science

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£36,000
    80%Satisfaction83%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    92%Satisfaction82%

  • Physics

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    93%Satisfaction90%

  • Biological Sciences (General)

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    99%Satisfaction90%

  • Economics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    86%Satisfaction81%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    89%Satisfaction93%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    68%Satisfaction83%

  • Chemistry

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    100%Satisfaction96%

Showing the 12 largest of 27 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 Leicester

International Undergraduate Tuition Fee Waiver

100%

Deadline: N/A

ULSB International Deans Scholarship

£8,000

Deadline: N/A

Leicester-King Power Thai Scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

International Postgraduate Taught Merit Scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

International Undergraduate Merit Scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Lancaster University vs University of Leicester: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,680 a year at Lancaster University and £25,100 at University of Leicester: University of Leicester is about £3,580 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 Leicester?

Both universities teach 43 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Mathematics, Law, Politics & International Relations, Computer Science, Sociology & Criminology, Physics, Biological Sciences (General), Biomedical Sciences, Economics, Media & Film Studies, Electronic & Electrical Engineering and 31 more.

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

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £31,000 three years after graduating from Lancaster University, and £27,500 from University of Leicester. Student satisfaction with teaching is 82% at Lancaster University and 82% at University of Leicester. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Lancaster University or University of Leicester offer more courses?

Lancaster University lists 526 courses on CourseOptions and University of Leicester lists 351 courses.

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

Lancaster University teaches 28 subject areas that University of Leicester does not, including Chemical Engineering, Philosophy, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Operational Research, Pharmacology, Ecology & Conservation, English Language, Fine Art and 20 more.

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

University of Leicester teaches 29 subject areas that Lancaster University does not, including Aerospace Engineering, Geology & Earth Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, Journalism, Archaeology, Information & Library Studies, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Applied Psychology and 21 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 Leicester351 courses · 28 scholarshipsBrowse Courses