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.
Loughborough · QS World #203
Belfast · QS World #595
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.
7/9
Loughborough
scored higher in 7 categories
2/9
Ulster
scored higher in 2 categories
Quick Verdict
Loughborough University leads in 7 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, courses, scholarship). Ulster University is ahead on employment, international.
Loughborough University vs Ulster University at a glance
Loughborough University and Ulster University both teach 40 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Design & Fashion and Sport & Exercise Sciences. Loughborough University offers 416 courses across 63 subject areas; Ulster University offers 170 courses across 66 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,750 a year at Loughborough University and £17,490 at Ulster University: Ulster University is about £12,260 a year cheaper.
Of the 16 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Loughborough University is higher in 10 and Ulster University in 4, with 2 about level.
World & National Rankings
Compare world and national league table positions, TEF ratings, and Russell Group membership.
Visual Breakdown
Key metrics at a glance
Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.
Loughborough University
Ulster University
Satisfaction
Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)
Graduate Salaries (5y)
Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation
Employment
Graduate employment rate
International
International student share
Course Counts
Number of courses offered
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.
Loughborough
90 countries · 18.4% international
- 🇨🇳China24.7%
- 🇮🇳India13.2%
- 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.6%
- 🇦🇪United Arab Emirates3.7%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria3.4%
Ulster
45 countries · 32.5% international
- 🇵🇰Pakistan27.8%
- 🇮🇪Ireland21.4%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria16.1%
- 🇮🇳India12.6%
- 🇧🇩Bangladesh8.6%
Subjects
40 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.
Loughborough University
Ulster University
Computer Science
25 coursesTypical fee £29,750 (UG)
6 coursesTypical fee £17,490 (UG)
Design & Fashion
20 coursesTypical fee £23,950 (UG)
6 coursesTypical fee £17,490 (UG)
Sport & Exercise Sciences
20 coursesTypical fee £29,750 (UG)
6 coursesTypical fee £17,490 (UG)
Civil Engineering
14 coursesTypical fee £29,750 (UG)
5 coursesTypical fee £17,490 (UG)
Manufacturing & Production Engineering
17 coursesTypical fee £29,750 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £17,490 (UG)
Business Studies
Politics & International Relations
14 coursesTypical fee £23,950 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £17,490 (UG)
Management
14 coursesTypical fee £26,500 (UG)
1 courseTypical fee £17,490 (UG)
Physical Geography & Climate
13 coursesTypical fee £26,850 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £17,490 (UG)
English Studies
11 coursesTypical fee £23,950 (UG)
3 coursesTypical fee £17,490 (UG)
Sociology & Criminology
Chemical Engineering
12 coursesTypical fee £29,750 (UG)
1 courseTypical fee £17,490 (UG)
Electronic & Electrical Engineering
Law
Media & Film Studies
10 coursesTypical fee £23,950 (UG)
3 coursesTypical fee £17,490 (UG)
Also taught at both: General Engineering, Accounting, Economics, Mechanical Engineering, Psychology (General), Building & Construction, Finance & Actuarial Science, History, Biomedical Engineering, Geology & Earth Sciences, Marketing, Planning & Housing, Health & Social Care, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Architecture, Biology, Film Production & Cinematography, Social Policy & Public Policy, Computing & IT, English Literature, Fine Art, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Public Health & Epidemiology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Human Resource Management.
Only at Loughborough University
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
- Loughborough University
- £29,750
- Ulster University
- £17,490
Ulster University is about £12,260 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Loughborough University
- £29,500
- Ulster University
- No data
We do not have reliable international fee data for Ulster University yet.
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.
Loughborough University
Ulster University
Computer Science
£40,500Salary (3 years)No data86%Satisfaction79%Design & Fashion
£27,500Salary (3 years)No data89%Satisfaction88%Sport & Exercise Sciences
£26,500Salary (3 years)No data85%Satisfaction82%Civil Engineering
£34,500Salary (3 years)No data87%Satisfaction100%Manufacturing & Production Engineering
£33,000Salary (3 years)No data88%Satisfaction88%Business Studies
£36,000Salary (3 years)No data88%Satisfaction83%Physical Geography & Climate
£28,000Salary (3 years)No data93%Satisfaction91%Sociology & Criminology
£26,500Salary (3 years)No data88%Satisfaction84%Chemical Engineering
£36,000Salary (3 years)No data95%Satisfaction90%Electronic & Electrical Engineering
£34,500Salary (3 years)No data90%Satisfaction86%General Engineering
£34,500Salary (3 years)No data86%Satisfaction77%Economics
£37,500Salary (3 years)No data88%Satisfaction88%
Showing the 12 largest of 16 shared subjects with published outcomes.
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveLoughborough University
Schlumberger Foundation Faculty for the Future Fellowships
£50,000
Deadline: N/A
Care Leaver's Scholarship
100%
Deadline: N/A
Commonwealth Scholarships
100%
Deadline: N/A
Global Impact Scholarship
100%
Deadline: N/A
Inspiring Success Scholarship
100%
Deadline: Jul 2026
Ulster University
View all scholarships →FAQ
Loughborough University vs Ulster University: common questions
Is Loughborough University or Ulster University cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,750 a year at Loughborough University and £17,490 at Ulster University: Ulster University is about £12,260 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 Loughborough University and Ulster University?
Both universities teach 40 subject areas: Computer Science, Design & Fashion, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Civil Engineering, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Business Studies, Politics & International Relations, Management, Physical Geography & Climate, English Studies, Sociology & Criminology, Chemical Engineering and 28 more.
Does Loughborough University or Ulster University offer more courses?
Loughborough University lists 416 courses on CourseOptions and Ulster University lists 170 courses.
What can you study at Loughborough University but not at Ulster University?
Loughborough University teaches 23 subject areas that Ulster University does not, including Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry, Materials Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Business & Management (General), Natural Sciences, Childhood & Youth Studies and 15 more.
What can you study at Ulster University but not at Loughborough University?
Ulster University teaches 26 subject areas that Loughborough University does not, including Social Work, Irish Studies, Journalism, Music, Biomedical Sciences, Nutrition & Dietetics, Anatomy & Pathology, Drama & Theatre and 18 more.
Ready to explore courses?
Browse available courses, check entry requirements, and find scholarships at each university.