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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 Plymouth

Plymouth · QS World #691

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 10 datapoints

We looked at 10 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

8/10

Lancaster

scored higher in 8 categories

VS

2/10

Plymouth

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

Lancaster University leads in 8 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Plymouth is ahead on established, employment.

Lancaster University vs University of Plymouth at a glance

Lancaster University and University of Plymouth both teach 49 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Mathematics and Biomedical Sciences. Lancaster University offers 526 courses across 71 subject areas; University of Plymouth offers 310 courses across 78 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,680 a year at Lancaster University and £19,200 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £9,480 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,300 a year at Lancaster University and £19,500 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £4,800 a year cheaper.

Of the 30 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Lancaster University is higher in 26 and University of Plymouth in 3, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Accounting: £32,000 three years after graduating from Lancaster University, against £24,000 from University of Plymouth. Of the 29 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Lancaster University is higher in 16 and University of Plymouth 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
#691
#184
THE World
#501
#10
Guardian UK
#56
1964
Established
1862
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 Plymouth

88.5%
86.6%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£30,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.1%
84.2%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.4%
11.9%

International

International student share

526
310

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

11
10

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

Plymouth

71 countries · 11.9% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria14.6%
  • 🇨🇳China12.2%
  • 🇮🇳India11%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.7%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka3.3%

Subjects

49 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 Plymouth

Also taught at both: Chemistry, Ecology & Conservation, Environmental Sciences, General Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physical Geography & Climate, Statistics, Accounting, Business Studies, Geography (General), History, Civil Engineering, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Software Engineering, Biological Sciences (General), English Studies, Fine Art, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Management, Architecture, Building & Construction, Childhood & Youth Studies, Creative Writing, Drama & Theatre, Zoology & Animal Biology, Clinical & Health Psychology, Complementary & Alternative Medicine, Mental Health Nursing, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Human Resource Management, Medicine, Social Work, Technology & Logistics.

Only at Lancaster University

Only at University of Plymouth

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 Plymouth
£19,200

University of Plymouth is about £9,480 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Lancaster University
£24,300
University of Plymouth
£19,500

University of Plymouth is about £4,800 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 Plymouth

  • Business & Management (General)

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    82%Satisfaction83%

  • Mathematics

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    89%Satisfaction86%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    92%Satisfaction84%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    92%Satisfaction83%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    90%Satisfaction86%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£21,500
    90%Satisfaction84%

  • Computer Science

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    80%Satisfaction72%

  • Economics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    86%Satisfaction91%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    68%Satisfaction91%

  • Marketing

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    90%Satisfaction90%

  • Psychology (General)

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£21,500
    87%Satisfaction84%

  • Human Geography & Environment

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    95%Satisfaction85%

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 Plymouth

GREAT Scholarships

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

International Undergraduate Welcome to Plymouth Scholarship

£6,000

Deadline: N/A

Tamar Engineering Project

£4,500

Deadline: Jun 2026

International Postgraduate Welcome to Plymouth Scholarship

£4,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Lancaster University vs University of Plymouth: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,680 a year at Lancaster University and £19,200 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £9,480 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,300 a year at Lancaster University and £19,500 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £4,800 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 Plymouth?

Both universities teach 49 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Mathematics, Biomedical Sciences, Sociology & Criminology, Politics & International Relations, Law, Computer Science, Economics, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Marketing, Psychology (General), Human Geography & Environment and 37 more.

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

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £31,000 three years after graduating from Lancaster University, and £24,000 from University of Plymouth. Student satisfaction with teaching is 82% at Lancaster University and 83% at University of Plymouth. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Lancaster University or University of Plymouth offer more courses?

Lancaster University lists 526 courses on CourseOptions and University of Plymouth lists 310 courses.

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

Lancaster University teaches 22 subject areas that University of Plymouth does not, including Physics, Linguistics, English Literature, Philosophy, Operational Research, Pharmacology, English Language, Natural Sciences and 14 more.

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

University of Plymouth teaches 29 subject areas that Lancaster University does not, including Geology & Earth Sciences, Adult Nursing, Nutrition & Dietetics, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Dentistry, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Marine Engineering & Technology, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation 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 Plymouth310 courses · 10 scholarshipsBrowse Courses