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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 Liverpool

Liverpool · QS World #139

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

Liverpool

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

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

Lancaster University vs University of Liverpool at a glance

Lancaster University and University of Liverpool both teach 54 subject areas, the largest being Mathematics, Sociology & Criminology and Politics & International Relations. Lancaster University offers 526 courses across 71 subject areas; University of Liverpool offers 793 courses across 94 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,680 a year at Lancaster University and £32,000 at University of Liverpool: Lancaster University is about £3,320 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,300 a year at Lancaster University and £30,000 at University of Liverpool: Lancaster University is about £5,700 a year cheaper.

Of the 34 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Lancaster University is higher in 21 and University of Liverpool in 9, with 4 about level. The widest gap is in Biomedical Sciences: £25,500 three years after graduating from Lancaster University, against £30,000 from University of Liverpool. Of the 34 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Lancaster University is higher in 21 and University of Liverpool in 10, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#164
QS World
#139
#184
THE World
#143
#10
Guardian UK
#28
1964
Established
1881
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 Liverpool

88.5%
87.7%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£34,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.1%
79.9%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.4%
24.1%

International

International student share

526
793

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

Liverpool

93 countries · 24.1% international

  • 🇨🇳China40.6%
  • 🇮🇳India17.1%
  • 🌐Kuwait4.3%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia4%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.1%

Subjects

54 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 Liverpool

Also taught at both: Chemistry, Marketing, English Literature, General Engineering, Human Geography & Environment, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Accounting, English Language, Finance & Actuarial Science, Psychology (General), Environmental Sciences, Geography (General), Ecology & Conservation, Pharmacology, Architecture, Civil Engineering, Software Engineering, Physical Geography & Climate, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biochemistry, Health & Social Care, Medicine, Biological Sciences (General), Design & Fashion, Information Systems & Data Science, Social Policy & Public Policy, Childhood & Youth Studies, Computing & IT, Drama & Theatre, Zoology & Animal Biology, Ancient Languages, Management, Public Health & Epidemiology, Clinical & Health Psychology, Clinical Specialities, Human Resource Management, Humanities.

Only at Lancaster University

Only at University of Liverpool

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 Liverpool
£32,000

Lancaster University is about £3,320 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Lancaster University
£24,300
University of Liverpool
£30,000

Lancaster University is about £5,700 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 Liverpool

  • Mathematics

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    89%Satisfaction82%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    92%Satisfaction86%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    90%Satisfaction87%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    90%Satisfaction86%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    89%Satisfaction87%

  • Physics

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    93%Satisfaction95%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    94%Satisfaction93%

  • Computer Science

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    80%Satisfaction77%

  • Economics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    86%Satisfaction86%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    92%Satisfaction90%

  • Philosophy

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    98%Satisfaction89%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    68%Satisfaction84%

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 Liverpool

Liverpool Advancement Scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

Postgraduate Opportunity Bursary

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Lancaster University vs University of Liverpool: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,680 a year at Lancaster University and £32,000 at University of Liverpool: Lancaster University is about £3,320 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,300 a year at Lancaster University and £30,000 at University of Liverpool: Lancaster University is about £5,700 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 Liverpool?

Both universities teach 54 subject areas: Mathematics, Sociology & Criminology, Politics & International Relations, Business & Management (General), Law, Media & Film Studies, Physics, History, Computer Science, Economics, Biomedical Sciences, Philosophy and 42 more.

Is Lancaster University or University of Liverpool better for Mathematics?

Mathematics graduates earn a median £29,500 three years after graduating from Lancaster University, and £26,500 from University of Liverpool. Student satisfaction with teaching is 89% at Lancaster University and 82% at University of Liverpool. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Lancaster University or University of Liverpool offer more courses?

University of Liverpool lists 793 courses on CourseOptions and Lancaster University lists 526 courses.

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

Lancaster University teaches 17 subject areas that University of Liverpool does not, including Linguistics, Chemical Engineering, Operational Research, Statistics, Fine Art, Natural Sciences, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Creative Writing and 9 more.

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

University of Liverpool teaches 40 subject areas that Lancaster University does not, including Music, Archaeology, Asian Languages & Studies, Classical Studies, French, Italian, German & Scandinavian Studies, Spanish & Portuguese and 32 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 Liverpool793 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses