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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 York

York · QS World #158

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 11 datapoints

We looked at 11 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

5/11

Lancaster

scored higher in 5 categories

VS

6/11

York

scored higher in 6 categories

Quick Verdict

University of York leads in 6 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, employment, courses). Lancaster University is ahead on ranking, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, scholarship.

Lancaster University vs University of York at a glance

Lancaster University and University of York both teach 51 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Mathematics and Computer Science. Lancaster University offers 526 courses across 71 subject areas; University of York offers 532 courses across 82 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,680 a year at Lancaster University and £27,500 at University of York: University of York is about £1,180 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,300 a year at Lancaster University and £27,250 at University of York: Lancaster University is about £2,950 a year cheaper.

Of the 29 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of York is higher in 21 and Lancaster University in 5, with 3 about level. The widest gap is in Law: £24,500 three years after graduating from Lancaster University, against £30,500 from University of York. Of the 29 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Lancaster University is higher in 21 and University of York in 8.

World & National Rankings

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

#164
QS World
#158
#184
THE World
#154
#10
Guardian UK
#20
1964
Established
1963
No
Russell Group
Yes
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 York

88.5%
87.1%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£34,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.1%
80.2%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.4%
18.6%

International

International student share

526
532

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

11
3

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

York

97 countries · 18.6% international

  • 🇨🇳China44.1%
  • 🇮🇳India7.2%
  • 🇺🇸United States5.7%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.3%
  • 🌐Korea (South)2.2%

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 York

Also taught at both: History, English Studies, Marketing, Environmental Sciences, Social Policy & Public Policy, Chemical Engineering, General Engineering, Physical Geography & Climate, English Literature, Finance & Actuarial Science, Accounting, Ecology & Conservation, Management, Psychology (General), Childhood & Youth Studies, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Biochemistry, Mechanical Engineering, Business Studies, Design & Fashion, Drama & Theatre, English Language, Ancient Languages, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Humanities, Architecture, Building & Construction, Information Systems & Data Science, Mental Health Nursing, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Creative Writing, Social Work, Civil Engineering, Clinical & Health Psychology, Technology & Logistics.

Only at Lancaster University

Only at University of York

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 York
£27,500

University of York is about £1,180 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Lancaster University
£24,300
University of York
£27,250

Lancaster University is about £2,950 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 York

  • Business & Management (General)

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    82%Satisfaction80%

  • Mathematics

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£28,500
    89%Satisfaction86%

  • Computer Science

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£40,000
    80%Satisfaction73%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    90%Satisfaction91%

  • Physics

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    93%Satisfaction89%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    92%Satisfaction90%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    92%Satisfaction82%

  • Chemistry

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    100%Satisfaction92%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    90%Satisfaction89%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    68%Satisfaction88%

  • Philosophy

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    98%Satisfaction89%

  • Linguistics

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    94%Satisfaction82%

Showing the 12 largest of 30 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 York

Care Leavers and Estranged Students Bursary

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

York Bursary

£1,000

Deadline: N/A

York Futures Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Lancaster University vs University of York: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,680 a year at Lancaster University and £27,500 at University of York: University of York is about £1,180 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,300 a year at Lancaster University and £27,250 at University of York: Lancaster University is about £2,950 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 York?

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

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

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £31,000 three years after graduating from Lancaster University, and £30,500 from University of York. Student satisfaction with teaching is 82% at Lancaster University and 80% at University of York. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Lancaster University or University of York offer more courses?

University of York lists 532 courses on CourseOptions and Lancaster University lists 526 courses.

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

Lancaster University teaches 20 subject areas that University of York does not, including Geography (General), Operational Research, Pharmacology, Statistics, Fine Art, Natural Sciences, Biological Sciences (General), Software Engineering and 12 more.

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

University of York teaches 31 subject areas that Lancaster University does not, including Music, Archaeology, History of Art & Design, Education Studies, Biology, Film Production & Cinematography, Forensic Science, French 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 York532 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses