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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 St Andrews

St Andrews · QS World #115

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.

1/10

Lancaster

scored higher in 1 category

VS

9/10

St Andrews

scored higher in 9 categories

Quick Verdict

University of St Andrews leads in 9 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Lancaster University is ahead on employment.

Lancaster University vs University of St Andrews at a glance

Lancaster University and University of St Andrews both teach 38 subject areas, the largest being History, Ancient Languages and Economics. Lancaster University offers 526 courses across 71 subject areas; University of St Andrews offers 1,157 courses across 64 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,680 a year at Lancaster University and £30,160 at University of St Andrews: Lancaster University is about £1,480 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,300 a year at Lancaster University and £27,200 at University of St Andrews: Lancaster University is about £2,900 a year cheaper.

Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of St Andrews is higher in 19 and Lancaster University in 1. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £35,000 three years after graduating from Lancaster University, against £51,500 from University of St Andrews. Of the 18 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of St Andrews is higher in 12 and Lancaster University in 6.

World & National Rankings

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

#164
QS World
#115
#184
THE World
#162
#10
Guardian UK
#3
1964
Established
1413
No
Russell Group
No
Gold
TEF Rating
—

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.

Lancaster University

University of St Andrews

88.5%
93.2%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£40,000

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.1%
74.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.4%
46.1%

International

International student share

526
1157

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

11
62

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

St Andrews

89 countries · 46.1% international

  • 🇺🇸United States42.3%
  • 🇨🇳China9%
  • 🇩🇪Germany4%
  • 🇮🇳India4%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong3.2%

Subjects

38 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 St Andrews

Also taught at both: Sociology & Criminology, Psychology (General), Law, Human Geography & Environment, Marketing, Management, Statistics, English Literature, Environmental Sciences, Physical Geography & Climate, Finance & Actuarial Science, Medicine, Ecology & Conservation, Biochemistry, Childhood & Youth Studies, Software Engineering, Business Studies, Creative Writing, Zoology & Animal Biology, Materials Science, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Computing & IT, Humanities.

Only at Lancaster University

Only at University of St Andrews

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 St Andrews
£30,160

Lancaster University is about £1,480 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Lancaster University
£24,300
University of St Andrews
£27,200

Lancaster University is about £2,900 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 St Andrews

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£28,500
    94%Satisfaction97%

  • Ancient Languages

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    92%Satisfaction100%

  • Economics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£39,000
    86%Satisfaction93%

  • Mathematics

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£36,500
    89%Satisfaction94%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    90%Satisfaction95%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £19,500Salary (3 years)No data
    89%Satisfaction95%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£37,500
    82%Satisfaction84%

  • Computer Science

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£51,500
    80%Satisfaction93%

  • Geography (General)

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    85%SatisfactionNo data

  • Chemistry

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    100%Satisfaction94%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    92%Satisfaction81%

  • Philosophy

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    98%Satisfaction94%

Showing the 12 largest of 21 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 St Andrews

Applied Environmental Sciences MSc Awards - Women in Mining (WIM) UK

100%

Deadline: Jun 2026

Environmental Science MSc Awards - The Cunningham Scholarship UK

100%

Deadline: Jun 2026

Masters funding in Digital Health and Care

£10,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

School of Modern Languages Masters Scholarship

100%

Deadline: May 2026

University of Jordan Postgraduate Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Lancaster University vs University of St Andrews: common questions

Is Lancaster University or University of St Andrews cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,680 a year at Lancaster University and £30,160 at University of St Andrews: Lancaster University is about £1,480 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,300 a year at Lancaster University and £27,200 at University of St Andrews: Lancaster University is about £2,900 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 St Andrews?

Both universities teach 38 subject areas: History, Ancient Languages, Economics, Mathematics, Politics & International Relations, Media & Film Studies, Business & Management (General), Computer Science, Geography (General), English Studies, Theology & Religious Studies, Chemistry and 26 more.

Is Lancaster University or University of St Andrews better for History?

History graduates earn a median £23,500 three years after graduating from Lancaster University, and £28,500 from University of St Andrews. Student satisfaction with teaching is 94% at Lancaster University and 97% at University of St Andrews. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Lancaster University or University of St Andrews offer more courses?

University of St Andrews lists 1,157 courses on CourseOptions and Lancaster University lists 526 courses.

What can you study at Lancaster University but not at University of St Andrews?

Lancaster University teaches 33 subject areas that University of St Andrews does not, including Linguistics, Chemical Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, General Engineering, Accounting, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Operational Research and 25 more.

What can you study at University of St Andrews but not at Lancaster University?

University of St Andrews teaches 26 subject areas that Lancaster University does not, including African & Middle Eastern Studies, French, German & Scandinavian Studies, Italian, Classical Studies, History of Art & Design, Eastern European Languages, Biology and 18 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 St Andrews1,157 courses · 62 scholarshipsBrowse Courses