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
Cambridge · QS World #6
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.
3/11
Loughborough
scored higher in 3 categories
8/11
Cambridge
scored higher in 8 categories
Quick Verdict
University of Cambridge leads in 8 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary). Loughborough University is ahead on employment, courses, scholarship.
Loughborough University vs University of Cambridge at a glance
Loughborough University and University of Cambridge both teach 44 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Mathematics and Physics. Loughborough University offers 416 courses across 63 subject areas; University of Cambridge offers 336 courses across 79 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,750 a year at Loughborough University and £32,890 at University of Cambridge: Loughborough University is about £3,140 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,500 a year at Loughborough University and £41,300 at University of Cambridge: Loughborough University is about £11,800 a year cheaper.
Of the 11 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Cambridge is higher in 10 and Loughborough University in 1. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £40,500 three years after graduating from Loughborough University, against £63,500 from University of Cambridge. Of the 7 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Cambridge is higher in 4 and Loughborough University in 3.
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
University of Cambridge
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%
Cambridge
96 countries · 32.2% international
- 🇨🇳China28.2%
- 🇺🇸United States10.3%
- 🇸🇬Singapore6.6%
- 🇭🇰Hong Kong5.3%
- 🇮🇳India4.7%
Subjects
44 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
University of Cambridge
Computer Science
25 coursesTypical fee £29,750 (UG)
5 coursesTypical fee £41,300 (UG)
Mathematics
19 coursesTypical fee £23,950 (UG)
9 coursesTypical fee £41,060 (UG)
Physics
22 coursesTypical fee £29,750 (UG)
6 coursesTypical fee £35,030 (PG)
Politics & International Relations
14 coursesTypical fee £23,950 (UG)
7 coursesTypical fee £32,890 (PG)
Chemistry
16 coursesTypical fee £29,750 (UG)
3 coursesTypical fee £41,300 (PG)
General Engineering
9 coursesTypical fee £29,750 (UG)
10 coursesTypical fee £41,300 (UG)
History
6 coursesTypical fee £23,950 (UG)
13 coursesTypical fee £32,440 (UG)
Management
14 coursesTypical fee £26,500 (UG)
5 coursesTypical fee £39,880 (PG)
Sociology & Criminology
Chemical Engineering
12 coursesTypical fee £29,750 (UG)
4 coursesTypical fee £41,300 (UG)
Civil Engineering
14 coursesTypical fee £29,750 (UG)
1 courseTypical fee £42,470 (PG)
Economics
Childhood & Youth Studies
4 coursesFee not available
10 coursesTypical fee £43,520 (PG)
English Studies
11 coursesTypical fee £23,950 (UG)
3 coursesTypical fee £32,890 (UG)
Electronic & Electrical Engineering
Also taught at both: Media & Film Studies, Psychology (General), Business & Management (General), Finance & Actuarial Science, Law, Business Studies, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Human Geography & Environment, Architecture, Biology, Building & Construction, Aerospace Engineering, Clinical Specialities, Geology & Earth Sciences, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Planning & Housing, Information & Library Studies, Geography (General), Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Materials Science, Ancient Languages, Biotechnology, Computing & IT, Education Studies, Health & Social Care, Social Policy & Public Policy, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Pharmacology, Technology & Logistics.
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
- University of Cambridge
- £32,890
Loughborough University is about £3,140 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Loughborough University
- £29,500
- University of Cambridge
- £41,300
Loughborough University is about £11,800 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.
Loughborough University
University of Cambridge
Computer Science
£40,500Salary (3 years)£63,50086%Satisfaction94%Mathematics
£31,000Salary (3 years)£44,50085%Satisfaction94%Politics & International Relations
£30,500Salary (3 years)£34,000No dataSatisfactionNo dataGeneral Engineering
£34,500Salary (3 years)£39,50086%Satisfaction87%History
£27,500Salary (3 years)£32,000No dataSatisfaction95%Chemical Engineering
£36,000Salary (3 years)£43,00095%Satisfaction94%Economics
£37,500Salary (3 years)£59,50088%Satisfaction86%English Studies
£24,500Salary (3 years)£27,500No dataSatisfaction96%Psychology (General)
£25,500Salary (3 years)£30,00085%Satisfaction92%Architecture
£39,000Salary (3 years)£38,000No dataSatisfaction88%Planning & Housing
£32,000Salary (3 years)£48,00091%Satisfaction89%
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
University of Cambridge
View all scholarships →FAQ
Loughborough University vs University of Cambridge: common questions
Is Loughborough University or University of Cambridge cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,750 a year at Loughborough University and £32,890 at University of Cambridge: Loughborough University is about £3,140 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,500 a year at Loughborough University and £41,300 at University of Cambridge: Loughborough University is about £11,800 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 University of Cambridge?
Both universities teach 44 subject areas: Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, Politics & International Relations, Chemistry, General Engineering, History, Management, Sociology & Criminology, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Economics and 32 more.
Is Loughborough University or University of Cambridge better for Computer Science?
Computer Science graduates earn a median £40,500 three years after graduating from Loughborough University, and £63,500 from University of Cambridge. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at Loughborough University and 94% at University of Cambridge. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Loughborough University or University of Cambridge offer more courses?
Loughborough University lists 416 courses on CourseOptions and University of Cambridge lists 336 courses.
What can you study at Loughborough University but not at University of Cambridge?
Loughborough University teaches 19 subject areas that University of Cambridge does not, including Design & Fashion, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Materials Engineering, Physical Geography & Climate, Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Natural Sciences and 11 more.
What can you study at University of Cambridge but not at Loughborough University?
University of Cambridge teaches 35 subject areas that Loughborough University does not, including Biological Sciences (General), Asian Languages & Studies, Biomedical Sciences, Archaeology, Philosophy, Genetics & Genomics, Theology & Religious Studies, Anatomy & Pathology and 27 more.
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