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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 Oxford

Oxford · QS World #4

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.

2/11

Lancaster

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

9/11

Oxford

scored higher in 9 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Oxford leads in 9 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses). Lancaster University is ahead on employment, scholarship.

Lancaster University vs University of Oxford at a glance

Lancaster University and University of Oxford both teach 51 subject areas, the largest being History, Mathematics and Business & Management (General). Lancaster University offers 526 courses across 71 subject areas; University of Oxford offers 642 courses across 79 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,680 a year at Lancaster University and £43,600 at University of Oxford: Lancaster University is about £14,920 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,300 a year at Lancaster University and £38,430 at University of Oxford: Lancaster University is about £14,130 a year cheaper.

Of the 16 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Oxford is higher in 15 and Lancaster University in 1. The widest gap is in Law: £24,500 three years after graduating from Lancaster University, against £52,500 from University of Oxford. Of the 15 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Lancaster University is higher in 7 and University of Oxford 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
#4
#184
THE World
#1
#10
Guardian UK
#1
1964
Established
1096
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 Oxford

88.5%
92.5%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£50,000

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.1%
76.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.4%
37.2%

International

International student share

526
642

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

11
1

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

Oxford

118 countries · 37.2% international

  • 🇨🇳China18.2%
  • 🇺🇸United States16.8%
  • 🇩🇪Germany5.6%
  • 🇮🇳India5.2%
  • 🇨🇦Canada4.6%

Subjects

51 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 Oxford

Also taught at both: Ancient Languages, Human Geography & Environment, Philosophy, Chemical Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Media & Film Studies, Theology & Religious Studies, Chemistry, Clinical Specialities, English Literature, Psychology (General), Statistics, Biochemistry, Finance & Actuarial Science, Pharmacology, Geography (General), English Language, Fine Art, Health & Social Care, Ecology & Conservation, Software Engineering, Business Studies, Design & Fashion, Physical Geography & Climate, Social Work, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Materials Science, Public Health & Epidemiology, Social Policy & Public Policy, Building & Construction, Computing & IT, Medicine, Civil Engineering, Humanities, Management, Clinical & Health Psychology.

Only at Lancaster University

Only at University of Oxford

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 Oxford
£43,600

Lancaster University is about £14,920 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Lancaster University
£24,300
University of Oxford
£38,430

Lancaster University is about £14,130 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 Oxford

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    94%Satisfaction96%

  • Mathematics

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£43,000
    89%Satisfaction91%

  • Linguistics

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    94%Satisfaction89%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£38,500
    90%Satisfaction89%

  • Physics

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£43,000
    93%Satisfaction94%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£52,500
    90%SatisfactionNo data

  • Economics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£46,000
    86%Satisfaction93%

  • Computer Science

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£51,500
    80%Satisfaction92%

  • General Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£40,500
    87%Satisfaction84%

  • Ancient Languages

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    92%Satisfaction85%

  • Philosophy

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£38,000
    98%Satisfaction94%

  • Chemistry

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£43,000
    100%Satisfaction85%

Showing the 12 largest of 16 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 Oxford

The Rhodes Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Lancaster University vs University of Oxford: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,680 a year at Lancaster University and £43,600 at University of Oxford: Lancaster University is about £14,920 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,300 a year at Lancaster University and £38,430 at University of Oxford: Lancaster University is about £14,130 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 Oxford?

Both universities teach 51 subject areas: History, Mathematics, Business & Management (General), Childhood & Youth Studies, Linguistics, Politics & International Relations, Physics, Law, Biomedical Sciences, Economics, English Studies, Sociology & Criminology and 39 more.

Is Lancaster University or University of Oxford better for History?

History graduates earn a median £23,500 three years after graduating from Lancaster University, and £33,000 from University of Oxford. Student satisfaction with teaching is 94% at Lancaster University and 96% at University of Oxford. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Lancaster University or University of Oxford offer more courses?

University of Oxford lists 642 courses on CourseOptions and Lancaster University lists 526 courses.

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

Lancaster University teaches 20 subject areas that University of Oxford does not, including Marketing, Environmental Sciences, Accounting, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Operational Research, Natural Sciences, Biological Sciences (General) and 12 more.

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

University of Oxford teaches 28 subject areas that Lancaster University does not, including Classical Studies, Spanish & Portuguese, Eastern European Languages, German & Scandinavian Studies, French, Italian, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Asian Languages & Studies and 20 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 Oxford642 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses