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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 Portsmouth

Portsmouth · QS World #662

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.

7/10

Lancaster

scored higher in 7 categories

VS

3/10

Portsmouth

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

Lancaster University leads in 7 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, satisfaction, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Portsmouth is ahead on established, employment, international.

Lancaster University vs University of Portsmouth at a glance

Lancaster University and University of Portsmouth both teach 51 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Sociology & Criminology and Mathematics. Lancaster University offers 526 courses across 71 subject areas; University of Portsmouth offers 446 courses across 84 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,680 a year at Lancaster University and £17,900 at University of Portsmouth: University of Portsmouth is about £10,780 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,300 a year at Lancaster University and £18,600 at University of Portsmouth: University of Portsmouth 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 23 and University of Portsmouth in 7, with 4 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £35,000 three years after graduating from Lancaster University, against £25,500 from University of Portsmouth. Of the 35 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Lancaster University is higher in 24 and University of Portsmouth in 10, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#164
QS World
#662
#184
THE World
#401
#10
Guardian UK
#55
1964
Established
1869
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 Portsmouth

88.5%
86.9%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£32,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.1%
84.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.4%
24.5%

International

International student share

526
446

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

Portsmouth

96 countries · 24.5% international

  • 🇮🇳India22.1%
  • 🇨🇳China11.6%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria7.8%
  • 🌐Kuwait7.1%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan5.6%

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 Portsmouth

Also taught at both: Management, Design & Fashion, Business Studies, Mechanical Engineering, Building & Construction, Chemical Engineering, English Literature, Human Geography & Environment, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Psychology (General), Architecture, Childhood & Youth Studies, English Language, History, Finance & Actuarial Science, Social Policy & Public Policy, Human Resource Management, Ancient Languages, Ecology & Conservation, Operational Research, Pharmacology, Software Engineering, Civil Engineering, Creative Writing, Biochemistry, Drama & Theatre, Information Systems & Data Science, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Physical Geography & Climate, Social Work, Computing & IT, Mental Health Nursing, Public Health & Epidemiology, Clinical & Health Psychology.

Only at Lancaster University

Only at University of Portsmouth

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 Portsmouth
£17,900

University of Portsmouth is about £10,780 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Lancaster University
£24,300
University of Portsmouth
£18,600

University of Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth

  • Business & Management (General)

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    82%Satisfaction87%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    92%Satisfaction87%

  • Mathematics

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    89%Satisfaction87%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    90%Satisfaction87%

  • Computer Science

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    80%Satisfaction82%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    68%Satisfaction84%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    90%Satisfaction88%

  • Biomedical Sciences

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

  • Economics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    86%Satisfaction85%

  • Marketing

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    90%Satisfaction86%

  • Physics

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    93%Satisfaction97%

  • General Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    87%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 Portsmouth

Portsmouth Football Club Partnership Scholarship

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

Estée Lauder Companies - Whitman Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Portsmouth Football Club Partnership Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Language Bursary

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Lancaster University vs University of Portsmouth: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,680 a year at Lancaster University and £17,900 at University of Portsmouth: University of Portsmouth is about £10,780 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,300 a year at Lancaster University and £18,600 at University of Portsmouth: University of Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth?

Both universities teach 51 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Sociology & Criminology, Mathematics, Politics & International Relations, Computer Science, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Law, Biomedical Sciences, Economics, Marketing, Linguistics, Physics and 39 more.

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

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £31,000 three years after graduating from Lancaster University, and £26,500 from University of Portsmouth. Student satisfaction with teaching is 82% at Lancaster University and 87% at University of Portsmouth. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Lancaster University or University of Portsmouth offer more courses?

Lancaster University lists 526 courses on CourseOptions and University of Portsmouth lists 446 courses.

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

Lancaster University teaches 20 subject areas that University of Portsmouth does not, including Chemistry, Philosophy, Geography (General), Statistics, Fine Art, Natural Sciences, Biological Sciences (General), Health & Social Care and 12 more.

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

University of Portsmouth teaches 33 subject areas that Lancaster University does not, including Education Studies, Games Design & Computer Animation, Teacher Training, Film Production & Cinematography, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Journalism, Applied Computing and 25 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 Portsmouth446 courses · 5 scholarshipsBrowse Courses