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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.

N
Northumbria University, Newcastle

Newcastle upon Tyne · QS World #528

U
University of Cumbria

Lancaster · Guardian UK #101

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 8 datapoints

We looked at 8 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

7/8

Northumbria

scored higher in 7 categories

VS

1/8

Cumbria

scored higher in 1 category

Quick Verdict

Northumbria University, Newcastle leads in 7 of 8 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Cumbria is ahead on employment.

Northumbria University, Newcastle vs University of Cumbria at a glance

Northumbria University, Newcastle and University of Cumbria both teach 30 subject areas, the largest being Business Studies, Design & Fashion and Computer Science. Northumbria University, Newcastle offers 305 courses across 71 subject areas; University of Cumbria offers 136 courses across 40 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,850 a year at Northumbria University, Newcastle and £16,000 at University of Cumbria: University of Cumbria is about £3,850 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,850 a year at Northumbria University, Newcastle and £16,900 at University of Cumbria: University of Cumbria is about £2,950 a year cheaper.

Of the 24 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Northumbria University, Newcastle is higher in 18 and University of Cumbria in 6. The widest gap is in Social Work: £20,000 three years after graduating from Northumbria University, Newcastle, against £28,000 from University of Cumbria. Of the 24 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Northumbria University, Newcastle is higher in 13 and University of Cumbria in 11.

World & National Rankings

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

#528
QS World
—
#401
THE World
—
#53
Guardian UK
#101
1969
Established
2007
No
Russell Group
No
Silver
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.

Northumbria University, Newcastle

University of Cumbria

83.5%
80.5%

Satisfaction

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

£31,000
£27,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

86.1%
89.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

24.5%
2.6%

International

International student share

305
136

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

7
1

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.

Northumbria

85 countries · 24.5% international

  • 🇮🇳India35.3%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria16.3%
  • 🌐Kuwait4%
  • 🇨🇳China3.8%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka3.8%
VS

Cumbria

14 countries · 2.6% international

  • 🇨🇦Canada14.9%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan14.9%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria10.6%
  • 🇩🇪Germany8.5%
  • 🇮🇪Ireland8.5%

Subjects

30 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.

Northumbria University, Newcastle

University of Cumbria

Also taught at both: Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Adult Nursing, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Environmental Sciences, Fine Art, Mental Health Nursing, Midwifery, Teacher Training, Applied Psychology, Biomedical Sciences, Education Studies, Nursing (General), Children's Nursing, Health & Social Care, Learning Disabilities Nursing.

Only at Northumbria University, Newcastle

Only at University of Cumbria

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

Northumbria University, Newcastle
£19,850
University of Cumbria
£16,000

University of Cumbria is about £3,850 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Northumbria University, Newcastle
£19,850
University of Cumbria
£16,900

University of Cumbria 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.

Northumbria University, Newcastle

University of Cumbria

  • Business Studies

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    83%Satisfaction89%

  • Design & Fashion

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£17,000
    91%Satisfaction74%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    83%Satisfaction84%

  • Law

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£18,500
    73%Satisfaction95%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    77%Satisfaction85%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£19,500
    78%Satisfaction70%

  • Psychology (General)

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£19,500
    84%Satisfaction87%

  • Social Work

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    89%Satisfaction70%

  • Health Sciences & Paramedic Science

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    84%Satisfaction98%

  • Hospitality, Events & Tourism

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    66%Satisfaction82%

  • Human Geography & Environment

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
    95%Satisfaction77%

  • Physical Geography & Climate

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
    92%Satisfaction85%

Showing the 12 largest of 24 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Northumbria University, Newcastle

2025/26 PGT Sanctuary Scholarships

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

2025/26 UG Sanctuary Scholarships

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

Castle Peak Postgraduate Scholarships

See details

Deadline: N/A

GEMS Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Horiba Foundation UK Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

University of Cumbria

Future Talent Award

£8,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Northumbria University, Newcastle vs University of Cumbria: common questions

Is Northumbria University, Newcastle or University of Cumbria cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,850 a year at Northumbria University, Newcastle and £16,000 at University of Cumbria: University of Cumbria is about £3,850 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,850 a year at Northumbria University, Newcastle and £16,900 at University of Cumbria: University of Cumbria 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 Northumbria University, Newcastle and University of Cumbria?

Both universities teach 30 subject areas: Business Studies, Design & Fashion, Computer Science, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Childhood & Youth Studies, Law, Business & Management (General), Sociology & Criminology, Psychology (General), Social Work, Mechanical Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science and 18 more.

Is Northumbria University, Newcastle or University of Cumbria better for Business Studies?

Business Studies graduates earn a median £26,000 three years after graduating from Northumbria University, Newcastle, and £21,000 from University of Cumbria. Student satisfaction with teaching is 83% at Northumbria University, Newcastle and 89% at University of Cumbria. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Northumbria University, Newcastle or University of Cumbria offer more courses?

Northumbria University, Newcastle lists 305 courses on CourseOptions and University of Cumbria lists 136 courses.

What can you study at Northumbria University, Newcastle but not at University of Cumbria?

Northumbria University, Newcastle teaches 41 subject areas that University of Cumbria does not, including Electronic & Electrical Engineering, English Literature, History, Building & Construction, Marketing, Mathematics, Media & Film Studies, Architecture and 33 more.

What can you study at University of Cumbria but not at Northumbria University, Newcastle?

University of Cumbria teaches 10 subject areas that Northumbria University, Newcastle does not, including Film Production & Cinematography, Forestry & Arboriculture, Ecology & Conservation, Zoology & Animal Biology, Medical Imaging, Biomedical Engineering, Games Design & Computer Animation, Management and 2 more.

Ready to explore courses?

Browse available courses, check entry requirements, and find scholarships at each university.

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Northumbria University, Newcastle305 courses · 7 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Cumbria136 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses