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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 the West of Scotland

Paisley · Guardian UK #115

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 9 datapoints

We looked at 9 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

5/9

Lancaster

scored higher in 5 categories

VS

4/9

West of Scotland

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

Lancaster University leads in 5 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of the West of Scotland is ahead on established, satisfaction, employment, international.

Lancaster University vs University of the West of Scotland at a glance

Lancaster University and University of the West of Scotland both teach 31 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Mathematics and Biomedical Sciences. Lancaster University offers 526 courses across 71 subject areas; University of the West of Scotland offers 119 courses across 49 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,680 a year at Lancaster University and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £13,180 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,300 a year at Lancaster University and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £8,020 a year cheaper.

Of the 12 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Lancaster University is higher in 10 and University of the West of Scotland in 1, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Accounting: £32,000 three years after graduating from Lancaster University, against £21,000 from University of the West of Scotland. Of the 10 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Lancaster University is higher in 5 and University of the West of Scotland in 5.

World & National Rankings

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

#164
QS World
—
#184
THE World
#601
#10
Guardian UK
#115
1964
Established
1897
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 the West of Scotland

88.5%
89%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£31,134.9

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.1%
81.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.4%
30.3%

International

International student share

526
119

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

West of Scotland

33 countries · 30.3% international

  • 🇵🇰Pakistan36.2%
  • 🌐Nepal20.4%
  • 🇮🇳India19.3%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria7.4%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh5.3%

Subjects

31 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 the West of Scotland

Also taught at both: Environmental Sciences, Mechanical Engineering, Psychology (General), Computing & IT, Design & Fashion, English Language, Childhood & Youth Studies, Health & Social Care, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Zoology & Animal Biology, Social Work, Cultural Studies, Public Health & Epidemiology, Mental Health Nursing, Technology & Logistics.

Only at Lancaster University

Only at University of the West of Scotland

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 the West of Scotland
£15,500

University of the West of Scotland is about £13,180 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Lancaster University
£24,300
University of the West of Scotland
£16,280

University of the West of Scotland is about £8,020 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 the West of Scotland

  • Physics

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    93%Satisfaction95%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    92%SatisfactionNo data

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    90%SatisfactionNo data

  • Chemistry

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    100%Satisfaction95%

  • General Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    87%Satisfaction92%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    68%Satisfaction80%

  • Accounting

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    90%Satisfaction86%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    76%Satisfaction89%

  • Design & Fashion

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£17,500
    82%Satisfaction91%

  • English Language

    £23,500Salary (3 years)No data
    94%Satisfaction83%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    99%Satisfaction91%

  • Zoology & Animal Biology

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
    No dataSatisfactionNo data

Showing the 12 largest of 13 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 the West of Scotland

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Lancaster University vs University of the West of Scotland: common questions

Is Lancaster University or University of the West of Scotland cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,680 a year at Lancaster University and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £13,180 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,300 a year at Lancaster University and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £8,020 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 the West of Scotland?

Both universities teach 31 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Mathematics, Biomedical Sciences, Physics, Politics & International Relations, Sociology & Criminology, Law, Marketing, Media & Film Studies, Chemistry, General Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering and 19 more.

Is Lancaster University or University of the West of Scotland better for Physics?

Physics graduates earn a median £29,500 three years after graduating from Lancaster University, and £23,000 from University of the West of Scotland. Student satisfaction with teaching is 93% at Lancaster University and 95% at University of the West of Scotland. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Lancaster University or University of the West of Scotland offer more courses?

Lancaster University lists 526 courses on CourseOptions and University of the West of Scotland lists 119 courses.

What can you study at Lancaster University but not at University of the West of Scotland?

Lancaster University teaches 40 subject areas that University of the West of Scotland does not, including Linguistics, Economics, Computer Science, Chemical Engineering, English Literature, Philosophy, Geography (General), Manufacturing & Production Engineering and 32 more.

What can you study at University of the West of Scotland but not at Lancaster University?

University of the West of Scotland teaches 18 subject areas that Lancaster University does not, including Teacher Training, Applied Computing, Business Information Systems, Applied Psychology, Social Sciences (General), Aerospace Engineering, Community & Specialist Nursing, Hospitality, Events & Tourism and 10 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 the West of Scotland119 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses