Skip to main content

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 Nottingham

Nottingham · QS World #97

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.

5/12

Lancaster

scored higher in 5 categories

VS

7/12

Nottingham

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Nottingham leads in 7 of 12 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, employment, graduate salary, courses). Lancaster University is ahead on ranking, TEF, satisfaction, international, scholarship.

Lancaster University vs University of Nottingham at a glance

Lancaster University and University of Nottingham both teach 63 subject areas, the largest being Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Business & Management (General). Lancaster University offers 526 courses across 71 subject areas; University of Nottingham offers 580 courses across 98 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,680 a year at Lancaster University and £33,000 at University of Nottingham: Lancaster University is about £4,320 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,300 a year at Lancaster University and £30,800 at University of Nottingham: Lancaster University is about £6,500 a year cheaper.

Of the 31 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Nottingham is higher in 30 and Lancaster University in 1. The widest gap is in Sociology & Criminology: £23,000 three years after graduating from Lancaster University, against £32,500 from University of Nottingham. Of the 30 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Lancaster University is higher in 23 and University of Nottingham in 7.

World & National Rankings

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

#164
QS World
#97
#184
THE World
#145
#10
Guardian UK
#21
1964
Established
1881
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 Nottingham

88.5%
86.6%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£40,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.1%
79.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.4%
21.1%

International

International student share

526
580

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

11
5

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

Nottingham

98 countries · 21.1% international

  • 🇨🇳China42.6%
  • 🇮🇳India9%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia4.4%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4%
  • 🇹🇷Turkey2.7%

Subjects

63 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 Nottingham

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

Only at Lancaster University

Only at University of Nottingham

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 Nottingham
£33,000

Lancaster University is about £4,320 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Lancaster University
£24,300
University of Nottingham
£30,800

Lancaster University is about £6,500 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 Nottingham

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£35,500
    68%Satisfaction86%

  • Mathematics

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    89%Satisfaction81%

  • Computer Science

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£36,000
    80%Satisfaction79%

  • Physics

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    93%Satisfaction88%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    90%Satisfaction88%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    92%Satisfaction90%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    85%Satisfaction89%

  • Economics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£38,500
    86%Satisfaction83%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    92%Satisfaction90%

  • Philosophy

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    98%Satisfaction93%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    89%Satisfaction88%

  • Human Geography & Environment

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    95%Satisfaction92%

Showing the 12 largest of 32 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 Nottingham

Taiwan Research Hub PhD Scholarship 2026/27

£11,000

Deadline: N/A

Molson Coors Award

50%

Deadline: N/A

The Witty Entrepreneurial Scholarship

£750

Deadline: N/A

Hillsborough Trust Memorial Bursary

£500

Deadline: N/A

PhD Scholarships

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Lancaster University vs University of Nottingham: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,680 a year at Lancaster University and £33,000 at University of Nottingham: Lancaster University is about £4,320 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,300 a year at Lancaster University and £30,800 at University of Nottingham: Lancaster University is about £6,500 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 Nottingham?

Both universities teach 63 subject areas: Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, Business & Management (General), Computer Science, Physics, Politics & International Relations, Biomedical Sciences, Chemical Engineering, Economics, Linguistics, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Sociology & Criminology and 51 more.

Is Lancaster University or University of Nottingham better for Electronic & Electrical Engineering?

Electronic & Electrical Engineering graduates earn a median £32,000 three years after graduating from Lancaster University, and £35,500 from University of Nottingham. Student satisfaction with teaching is 68% at Lancaster University and 86% at University of Nottingham. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Lancaster University or University of Nottingham offer more courses?

University of Nottingham lists 580 courses on CourseOptions and Lancaster University lists 526 courses.

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

Lancaster University teaches 8 subject areas that University of Nottingham does not, including Operational Research, Fine Art, Biological Sciences (General), Software Engineering, Drama & Theatre, Computing & IT, Complementary & Alternative Medicine and Humanities.

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

University of Nottingham teaches 35 subject areas that Lancaster University does not, including Biotechnology, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Social Sciences (General), Archaeology, Aerospace Engineering, American & Comparative Studies, Nutrition & Dietetics, Veterinary Medicine and 27 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 Nottingham580 courses · 5 scholarshipsBrowse Courses