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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 Sunderland

Sunderland · Guardian UK #86

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.

6/10

Lancaster

scored higher in 6 categories

VS

4/10

Sunderland

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

Lancaster University leads in 6 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, TEF, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Sunderland is ahead on established, satisfaction, employment, international.

Lancaster University vs University of Sunderland at a glance

Lancaster University and University of Sunderland both teach 34 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Mathematics and Law. Lancaster University offers 526 courses across 71 subject areas; University of Sunderland offers 193 courses across 56 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,680 a year at Lancaster University and £17,500 at University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland is about £11,180 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,300 a year at Lancaster University and £17,000 at University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland is about £7,300 a year cheaper.

Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Lancaster University is higher in 19 and University of Sunderland in 1. The widest gap is in Economics: £31,000 three years after graduating from Lancaster University, against £18,500 from University of Sunderland. Of the 21 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Sunderland is higher in 12 and Lancaster University in 8, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#164
QS World
—
#184
THE World
#1501
#10
Guardian UK
#86
1964
Established
1901
No
Russell Group
No
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 Sunderland

88.5%
89.8%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£24,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.1%
81.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.4%
36.5%

International

International student share

526
193

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

11
0

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

Sunderland

56 countries · 36.5% international

  • 🌐Nepal29.5%
  • 🇮🇳India17.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria16.6%
  • 🇨🇳China7.3%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan6.9%

Subjects

34 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 Sunderland

Also taught at both: General Engineering, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Accounting, Fine Art, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Biochemistry, Finance & Actuarial Science, Software Engineering, Health & Social Care, Childhood & Youth Studies, English Studies, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Human Resource Management, Management, Social Work, Clinical & Health Psychology, Medicine, Mental Health Nursing.

Only at Lancaster University

Only at University of Sunderland

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 Sunderland
£17,500

University of Sunderland is about £11,180 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Lancaster University
£24,300
University of Sunderland
£17,000

University of Sunderland is about £7,300 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 Sunderland

  • Business & Management (General)

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    82%Satisfaction92%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£19,000
    90%Satisfaction95%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    92%Satisfaction93%

  • Computer Science

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    80%Satisfaction78%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£18,500
    92%Satisfaction87%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£18,000
    89%Satisfaction93%

  • Marketing

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£20,000
    90%Satisfaction91%

  • Economics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£18,500
    86%Satisfaction89%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    68%Satisfaction76%

  • Chemistry

    £24,000Salary (3 years)No data
    100%Satisfaction89%

  • Design & Fashion

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£17,000
    82%Satisfaction90%

  • Psychology (General)

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£19,000
    87%Satisfaction88%

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 Sunderland

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Lancaster University vs University of Sunderland: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,680 a year at Lancaster University and £17,500 at University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland is about £11,180 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,300 a year at Lancaster University and £17,000 at University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland is about £7,300 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 Sunderland?

Both universities teach 34 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Mathematics, Law, Biomedical Sciences, Computer Science, Sociology & Criminology, Media & Film Studies, Marketing, Economics, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry and 22 more.

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

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £31,000 three years after graduating from Lancaster University, and £20,000 from University of Sunderland. Student satisfaction with teaching is 82% at Lancaster University and 92% at University of Sunderland. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Lancaster University or University of Sunderland offer more courses?

Lancaster University lists 526 courses on CourseOptions and University of Sunderland lists 193 courses.

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

Lancaster University teaches 37 subject areas that University of Sunderland does not, including Physics, Politics & International Relations, Linguistics, Human Geography & Environment, English Literature, Environmental Sciences, Philosophy, Geography (General) and 29 more.

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

University of Sunderland teaches 22 subject areas that Lancaster University does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Film Production & Cinematography, Journalism, Geology & Earth Sciences, Nursing (General), Performing Arts (General), Applied Psychology, Education Studies and 14 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 Sunderland193 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses