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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 Manchester

Manchester · QS World #40

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.

4/12

Lancaster

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

8/12

Manchester

scored higher in 8 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Manchester leads in 8 of 12 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, employment, international, graduate salary, courses). Lancaster University is ahead on ranking, TEF, satisfaction, scholarship.

Lancaster University vs University of Manchester at a glance

Lancaster University and University of Manchester both teach 65 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Mathematics and Physics. Lancaster University offers 526 courses across 71 subject areas; University of Manchester offers 1,041 courses across 116 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,680 a year at Lancaster University and £32,300 at University of Manchester: Lancaster University is about £3,620 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,300 a year at Lancaster University and £26,800 at University of Manchester: Lancaster University is about £2,500 a year cheaper.

Of the 32 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Manchester is higher in 21 and Lancaster University in 10, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Pharmacology: £25,500 three years after graduating from Lancaster University, against £35,000 from University of Manchester. Of the 32 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Lancaster University is higher in 24 and University of Manchester in 7, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#164
QS World
#40
#184
THE World
#56
#10
Guardian UK
#29
1964
Established
1824
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 Manchester

88.5%
85.1%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£36,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.1%
80%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.4%
40%

International

International student share

526
1041

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

Manchester

120 countries · 40% international

  • 🇨🇳China51%
  • 🇮🇳India7.6%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia4.9%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.1%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.5%

Subjects

65 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 Manchester

Also taught at both: History, Media & Film Studies, Environmental Sciences, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Materials Science, English Literature, Public Health & Epidemiology, Human Geography & Environment, Medicine, Pharmacology, Marketing, Clinical Specialities, Geography (General), Mechanical Engineering, Information Systems & Data Science, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Philosophy, Psychology (General), Accounting, Business Studies, Design & Fashion, Finance & Actuarial Science, Biological Sciences (General), Architecture, General Engineering, Zoology & Animal Biology, Childhood & Youth Studies, Clinical & Health Psychology, Drama & Theatre, Ecology & Conservation, English Language, Operational Research, Physical Geography & Climate, Ancient Languages, Creative Writing, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Health & Social Care, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Social Work, Software Engineering, Computing & IT, English Studies, Mental Health Nursing, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Cultural Studies, Human Resource Management, Humanities, Theology & Religious Studies, Social Policy & Public Policy.

Only at Lancaster University

Only at University of Manchester

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 Manchester
£32,300

Lancaster University is about £3,620 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Lancaster University
£24,300
University of Manchester
£26,800

Lancaster University is about £2,500 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 Manchester

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    90%Satisfaction88%

  • Mathematics

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    89%Satisfaction83%

  • Physics

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£34,000
    93%Satisfaction89%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    82%Satisfaction88%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£36,000
    85%Satisfaction84%

  • Economics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    86%Satisfaction85%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    92%Satisfaction84%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    92%Satisfaction86%

  • Chemistry

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    100%Satisfaction87%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    90%Satisfaction89%

  • Biochemistry

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    95%Satisfaction87%

  • Linguistics

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    94%Satisfaction89%

Showing the 12 largest of 33 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 Manchester

Spärck AI Scholarship

£20,780

Deadline: N/A

The Sadler Bursary

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

The Bason Family Bursary

£6,000

Deadline: N/A

The Cowrie Foundation Scholarships

£6,000

Deadline: N/A

Accommodation Bursary

£2,050

Deadline: Jul 2026

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Lancaster University vs University of Manchester: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,680 a year at Lancaster University and £32,300 at University of Manchester: Lancaster University is about £3,620 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,300 a year at Lancaster University and £26,800 at University of Manchester: Lancaster University is about £2,500 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 Manchester?

Both universities teach 65 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Mathematics, Physics, Business & Management (General), Chemical Engineering, Economics, Sociology & Criminology, Biomedical Sciences, Chemistry, Law, Biochemistry, Linguistics and 53 more.

Is Lancaster University or University of Manchester better for Politics & International Relations?

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £27,000 three years after graduating from Lancaster University, and £26,500 from University of Manchester. Student satisfaction with teaching is 90% at Lancaster University and 88% at University of Manchester. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Lancaster University or University of Manchester offer more courses?

University of Manchester lists 1,041 courses on CourseOptions and Lancaster University lists 526 courses.

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

Lancaster University teaches 6 subject areas that University of Manchester does not, including Fine Art, Natural Sciences, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Building & Construction, Complementary & Alternative Medicine and Technology & Logistics.

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

University of Manchester teaches 51 subject areas that Lancaster University does not, including Microbiology & Cell Biology, Dentistry, Nursing (General), Anatomy & Pathology, Biology, Genetics & Genomics, Geology & Earth Sciences, Planning & Housing and 43 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 Manchester1,041 courses · 6 scholarshipsBrowse Courses