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
Lancaster · Guardian UK #101
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.
8/9
Loughborough
scored higher in 8 categories
1/9
Cumbria
scored higher in 1 category
Quick Verdict
Loughborough University leads in 8 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, TEF, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Cumbria is ahead on employment.
Loughborough University vs University of Cumbria at a glance
Loughborough University and University of Cumbria both teach 20 subject areas, the largest being Sport & Exercise Sciences, Computer Science and Design & Fashion. Loughborough University offers 416 courses across 63 subject areas; University of Cumbria offers 136 courses across 40 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,750 a year at Loughborough University and £16,000 at University of Cumbria: University of Cumbria is about £13,750 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,500 a year at Loughborough University and £16,900 at University of Cumbria: University of Cumbria is about £12,600 a year cheaper.
Of the 9 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Loughborough University is higher in 9 and University of Cumbria in 0. The widest gap is in Management: £36,000 three years after graduating from Loughborough University, against £21,000 from University of Cumbria. Of the 7 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Loughborough University is higher in 5 and University of Cumbria in 2.
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 Cumbria
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%
Cumbria
14 countries · 2.6% international
- 🇨🇦Canada14.9%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan14.9%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria10.6%
- 🇩🇪Germany8.5%
- 🇮🇪Ireland8.5%
Subjects
20 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 Cumbria
Sport & Exercise Sciences
20 coursesTypical fee £29,750 (UG)
10 coursesTypical fee £16,000 (UG)
Computer Science
25 coursesTypical fee £29,750 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £16,000 (UG)
Design & Fashion
20 coursesTypical fee £23,950 (UG)
6 coursesTypical fee £16,000 (UG)
Childhood & Youth Studies
4 coursesFee not available
17 coursesTypical fee £31,000 (PG)
Management
14 coursesTypical fee £26,500 (UG)
1 courseTypical fee £16,000 (UG)
Business Studies
Physical Geography & Climate
13 coursesTypical fee £26,850 (UG)
1 courseTypical fee £16,000 (UG)
Psychology (General)
Business & Management (General)
Sociology & Criminology
Mechanical Engineering
Film Production & Cinematography
Human Geography & Environment
Law
Biomedical Engineering
Also taught at both: Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Fine Art, Health & Social Care, Education Studies.
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 Cumbria
- £16,000
University of Cumbria is about £13,750 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Loughborough University
- £29,500
- University of Cumbria
- £16,900
University of Cumbria is about £12,600 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 Cumbria
Sport & Exercise Sciences
£26,500Salary (3 years)£21,00085%Satisfaction84%Design & Fashion
£27,500Salary (3 years)£17,00089%Satisfaction74%Management
£36,000Salary (3 years)£21,000No dataSatisfaction76%Business Studies
£36,000Salary (3 years)£21,00088%Satisfaction89%Physical Geography & Climate
£28,000Salary (3 years)£19,00093%Satisfaction85%Psychology (General)
£25,500Salary (3 years)£19,50085%Satisfaction87%Sociology & Criminology
£26,500Salary (3 years)£19,50088%Satisfaction70%Human Geography & Environment
£30,500Salary (3 years)£19,00093%Satisfaction77%Fine Art
£19,500Salary (3 years)£17,000No dataSatisfaction91%
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
FAQ
Loughborough University vs University of Cumbria: common questions
Is Loughborough University or University of Cumbria cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,750 a year at Loughborough University and £16,000 at University of Cumbria: University of Cumbria is about £13,750 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,500 a year at Loughborough University and £16,900 at University of Cumbria: University of Cumbria is about £12,600 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 Cumbria?
Both universities teach 20 subject areas: Sport & Exercise Sciences, Computer Science, Design & Fashion, Childhood & Youth Studies, Management, Business Studies, Physical Geography & Climate, Psychology (General), Business & Management (General), Sociology & Criminology, Mechanical Engineering, Film Production & Cinematography and 8 more.
Is Loughborough University or University of Cumbria better for Sport & Exercise Sciences?
Sport & Exercise Sciences graduates earn a median £26,500 three years after graduating from Loughborough University, and £21,000 from University of Cumbria. Student satisfaction with teaching is 85% at Loughborough University and 84% at University of Cumbria. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Loughborough University or University of Cumbria offer more courses?
Loughborough University lists 416 courses on CourseOptions and University of Cumbria lists 136 courses.
What can you study at Loughborough University but not at University of Cumbria?
Loughborough University teaches 43 subject areas that University of Cumbria does not, including Physics, Mathematics, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Politics & International Relations, Materials Engineering, Chemical Engineering and 35 more.
What can you study at University of Cumbria but not at Loughborough University?
University of Cumbria teaches 20 subject areas that Loughborough University does not, including Forestry & Arboriculture, Ecology & Conservation, Nursing (General), Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Zoology & Animal Biology, Adult Nursing, Biomedical Sciences, Counselling & Psychotherapy and 12 more.
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