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.
Edinburgh · QS World #1201
Lancaster · Guardian UK #101
Head-to-Head Summary
Based on 7 datapoints
We looked at 7 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.
5/7
Queen Margaret
scored higher in 5 categories
2/7
Cumbria
scored higher in 2 categories
Quick Verdict
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh leads in 5 of 7 categories where both have data (established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, scholarship). University of Cumbria is ahead on employment, courses.
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh vs University of Cumbria at a glance
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh and University of Cumbria both teach 14 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Business Studies and Health Sciences & Paramedic Science. Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh offers 68 courses across 25 subject areas; University of Cumbria offers 136 courses across 40 subject areas.
For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,460 a year at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh and £16,900 at University of Cumbria: University of Cumbria is about £1,560 a year cheaper.
Of the 10 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh is higher in 6 and University of Cumbria in 4. The widest gap is in Medical Imaging: £30,000 three years after graduating from Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, against £33,000 from University of Cumbria. Of the 11 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh is higher in 7 and University of Cumbria in 3, with 1 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.
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
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.
Queen Margaret
51 countries · 18.6% international
- 🇮🇪Ireland29%
- 🌐Nepal9.8%
- 🇨🇦Canada8.2%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria6.1%
- 🇺🇸United States4.5%
Cumbria
14 countries · 2.6% international
- 🇨🇦Canada14.9%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan14.9%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria10.6%
- 🇩🇪Germany8.5%
- 🇮🇪Ireland8.5%
Subjects
14 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.
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
University of Cumbria
Business & Management (General)
Business Studies
Health Sciences & Paramedic Science
Psychology (General)
Design & Fashion
Teacher Training
Adult Nursing
Counselling & Psychotherapy
Education Studies
Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation
Sociology & Criminology
Hospitality, Events & Tourism
Medical Imaging
Health & Social Care
Only at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
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
- Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
- No data
- University of Cumbria
- £16,000
We do not have reliable international fee data for Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh yet.
Postgraduate
- Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
- £18,460
- University of Cumbria
- £16,900
University of Cumbria is about £1,560 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.
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
University of Cumbria
Business & Management (General)
£22,000Salary (3 years)£21,00092%Satisfaction85%Health Sciences & Paramedic Science
£24,500Salary (3 years)£26,50088%Satisfaction98%Psychology (General)
£21,000Salary (3 years)£19,50082%Satisfaction87%Design & Fashion
£19,500Salary (3 years)£17,00095%Satisfaction74%Teacher Training
No dataSalary (3 years)£25,00090%Satisfaction82%Adult Nursing
£30,000Salary (3 years)£27,500100%Satisfaction74%Counselling & Psychotherapy
£25,000Salary (3 years)£26,50088%Satisfaction94%Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation
£28,000Salary (3 years)£28,50095%Satisfaction91%Sociology & Criminology
£21,000Salary (3 years)£19,50094%Satisfaction70%Hospitality, Events & Tourism
£22,000Salary (3 years)£21,00086%Satisfaction82%Medical Imaging
£30,000Salary (3 years)£33,00089%Satisfaction89%
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveQueen Margaret University, Edinburgh
Scottish Highlands & Islands Schools Scholarship
£500
Deadline: Jun 2026
Alison Scott Scholarship
See details
Deadline: N/A
The Alison Scott Scholarship
See details
Deadline: N/A
FAQ
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh vs University of Cumbria: common questions
Is Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh or University of Cumbria cheaper for international students?
For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,460 a year at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh and £16,900 at University of Cumbria: University of Cumbria is about £1,560 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 Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh and University of Cumbria?
Both universities teach 14 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Business Studies, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Psychology (General), Design & Fashion, Teacher Training, Adult Nursing, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Education Studies, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Sociology & Criminology, Hospitality, Events & Tourism and 2 more.
Is Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh or University of Cumbria better for Business & Management (General)?
Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £22,000 three years after graduating from Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, and £21,000 from University of Cumbria. Student satisfaction with teaching is 92% at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh and 85% at University of Cumbria. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh or University of Cumbria offer more courses?
University of Cumbria lists 136 courses on CourseOptions and Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh lists 68 courses.
What can you study at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh but not at University of Cumbria?
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh teaches 11 subject areas that University of Cumbria does not, including Nutrition & Dietetics, Drama & Theatre, Marketing, Media & Film Studies, Complementary & Alternative Medicine, Cultural Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Politics & International Relations and 3 more.
What can you study at University of Cumbria but not at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh?
University of Cumbria teaches 26 subject areas that Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh does not, including Childhood & Youth Studies, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Film Production & Cinematography, Forestry & Arboriculture, Ecology & Conservation, Human Geography & Environment, Law, Mechanical Engineering and 18 more.
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