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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 Southampton

Southampton · QS World #111

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.

3/12

Lancaster

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

9/12

Southampton

scored higher in 9 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Southampton leads in 9 of 12 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, employment, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Lancaster University is ahead on ranking, TEF, satisfaction.

Lancaster University vs University of Southampton at a glance

Lancaster University and University of Southampton both teach 60 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Electronic & Electrical Engineering and General Engineering. Lancaster University offers 526 courses across 71 subject areas; University of Southampton offers 545 courses across 91 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,680 a year at Lancaster University and £26,000 at University of Southampton: University of Southampton is about £2,680 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,300 a year at Lancaster University and £31,200 at University of Southampton: Lancaster University is about £6,900 a year cheaper.

Of the 36 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Southampton is higher in 32 and Lancaster University in 4. The widest gap is in Software Engineering: £34,500 three years after graduating from Lancaster University, against £47,000 from University of Southampton. Of the 34 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Lancaster University is higher in 21 and University of Southampton in 12, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#164
QS World
#111
#184
THE World
#129
#10
Guardian UK
#16
1964
Established
1862
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 Southampton

88.5%
87%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£37,200

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.1%
82.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.4%
35.1%

International

International student share

526
545

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

11
52

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

Southampton

103 countries · 35.1% international

  • 🇨🇳China63.5%
  • 🇮🇳India4.8%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia2.8%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia2.6%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.5%

Subjects

60 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 Southampton

Also taught at both: Marketing, English Literature, Environmental Sciences, Chemistry, History, Philosophy, Design & Fashion, Accounting, Civil Engineering, Human Geography & Environment, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Ancient Languages, Business Studies, Psychology (General), Software Engineering, Statistics, Operational Research, Pharmacology, Biochemistry, Ecology & Conservation, English Language, Fine Art, Health & Social Care, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Management, Physical Geography & Climate, Social Policy & Public Policy, Biological Sciences (General), Information Systems & Data Science, Architecture, Clinical & Health Psychology, Medicine, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Zoology & Animal Biology, Building & Construction, Clinical Specialities, English Studies, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Computing & IT, Creative Writing, Cultural Studies, Human Resource Management, Humanities, Mental Health Nursing, Technology & Logistics.

Only at Lancaster University

Only at University of Southampton

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 Southampton
£26,000

University of Southampton is about £2,680 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Lancaster University
£24,300
University of Southampton
£31,200

Lancaster University is about £6,900 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 Southampton

  • Business & Management (General)

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£31,500
    82%Satisfaction80%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£40,500
    68%Satisfaction89%

  • General Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£34,500
    87%Satisfaction90%

  • Mathematics

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    89%Satisfaction81%

  • Physics

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    93%Satisfaction87%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    92%Satisfaction86%

  • Computer Science

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£47,000
    80%Satisfaction80%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    89%Satisfaction87%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    90%Satisfaction85%

  • Economics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£34,000
    86%Satisfaction85%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
    92%Satisfaction80%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£34,500
    85%Satisfaction89%

Showing the 12 largest of 36 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 Southampton

Horizon Europe fee waiver

100%

Deadline: N/A

Cowrie Foundation Scholarship

£8,000

Deadline: N/A

Xiamen University PhD Scholarships

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sociology Criminology International Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Southampton Ageing & Gerontology Talent Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Lancaster University vs University of Southampton: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,680 a year at Lancaster University and £26,000 at University of Southampton: University of Southampton is about £2,680 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,300 a year at Lancaster University and £31,200 at University of Southampton: Lancaster University is about £6,900 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 Southampton?

Both universities teach 60 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Electronic & Electrical Engineering, General Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, Sociology & Criminology, Computer Science, Media & Film Studies, Politics & International Relations, Economics, Biomedical Sciences, Chemical Engineering and 48 more.

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

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £31,000 three years after graduating from Lancaster University, and £31,500 from University of Southampton. Student satisfaction with teaching is 82% at Lancaster University and 80% at University of Southampton. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Lancaster University or University of Southampton offer more courses?

University of Southampton lists 545 courses on CourseOptions and Lancaster University lists 526 courses.

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

Lancaster University teaches 11 subject areas that University of Southampton does not, including Linguistics, Geography (General), Natural Sciences, Drama & Theatre, Childhood & Youth Studies, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Complementary & Alternative Medicine, Materials Science and 3 more.

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

University of Southampton teaches 31 subject areas that Lancaster University does not, including Aerospace Engineering, Geology & Earth Sciences, Archaeology, Marine Engineering & Technology, Music, Education Studies, Healthcare Science, Children's Nursing and 23 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 Southampton545 courses · 52 scholarshipsBrowse Courses