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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.

U
University of Birmingham

Birmingham · QS World #68

U
University of Lancashire

Preston · QS World #1001

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.

8/11

Birmingham

scored higher in 8 categories

VS

3/11

Lancashire

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Birmingham leads in 8 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, employment, international, graduate salary, courses). University of Lancashire is ahead on established, satisfaction, scholarship.

University of Birmingham vs University of Lancashire at a glance

University of Birmingham and University of Lancashire both teach 60 subject areas, the largest being Law, Sport & Exercise Sciences and History. University of Birmingham offers 663 courses across 101 subject areas; University of Lancashire offers 363 courses across 82 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £27,090 a year at University of Birmingham and £17,330 at University of Lancashire: University of Lancashire is about £9,760 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,390 a year at University of Birmingham and £19,250 at University of Lancashire: University of Lancashire is about £4,140 a year cheaper.

Of the 41 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Birmingham is higher in 38 and University of Lancashire in 1, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Accounting: £37,000 three years after graduating from University of Birmingham, against £20,500 from University of Lancashire. Of the 40 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Lancashire is higher in 23 and University of Birmingham in 14, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#68
QS World
#1001
#98
THE World
#1001
#18
Guardian UK
#76
1900
Established
1828
Yes
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.

University of Birmingham

University of Lancashire

86.7%
86.8%

Satisfaction

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

£38,700
£28,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83.3%
83.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
20.5%

International

International student share

663
363

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

3
15

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.

Birmingham

104 countries · 31.2% international

  • 🇨🇳China55.7%
  • 🇮🇳India9.4%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.2%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.8%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia2%
VS

Lancashire

74 countries · 20.5% international

  • 🇮🇳India34.3%
  • 🇦🇪United Arab Emirates9.3%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria8%
  • 🌐Nepal6.6%
  • 🇨🇦Canada4.4%

Subjects

60 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.

University of Birmingham

University of Lancashire

Also taught at both: Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Marketing, Sociology & Criminology, Biomedical Sciences, Mathematics, Social Work, Ancient Languages, Management, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Chemical Engineering, Dentistry, Media & Film Studies, Accounting, Adult Nursing, Aerospace Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Nursing (General), Social Sciences (General), English Language, General Engineering, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Archaeology, Mental Health Nursing, Childhood & Youth Studies, Creative Writing, Film Production & Cinematography, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Public Health & Epidemiology, Anthropology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biology, Clinical & Health Psychology, Drama & Theatre, English Studies, Pharmacy, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Midwifery, Software Engineering, English Literature, Food Production & Technology, Human Resource Management, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Healthcare Science, Children's Nursing.

Only at University of Birmingham

Only at University of Lancashire

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

University of Birmingham
£27,090
University of Lancashire
£17,330

University of Lancashire is about £9,760 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Birmingham
£23,390
University of Lancashire
£19,250

University of Lancashire is about £4,140 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.

University of Birmingham

University of Lancashire

  • Law

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    83%Satisfaction87%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    88%Satisfaction96%

  • History

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    89%Satisfaction100%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£21,500
    79%Satisfaction88%

  • Music

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£18,500
    89%Satisfaction98%

  • Medicine

    £47,000Salary (3 years)No data
    85%Satisfaction71%

  • Computer Science

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    93%Satisfaction71%

  • Physics

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    93%Satisfaction86%

  • Civil Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    78%Satisfaction79%

  • Manufacturing & Production Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    70%Satisfaction79%

  • Psychology (General)

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    90%Satisfaction90%

  • Business Studies

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£35,000
    77%Satisfaction87%

Showing the 12 largest of 44 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Birmingham

Enhanced Chamberlain Award

£3,500

Deadline: N/A

University Music Scholarships

£3,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

University Music Scholarships

£1,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

View all scholarships →

University of Lancashire

Fee Waiver Scholarship for Sanctuary Seekers

100%

Deadline: N/A

Care-experienced and Estranged Student Graduation Bursary

£500

Deadline: N/A

Degree Apprentice Care Leaver Bursary

See details

Deadline: N/A

Estranged Student Support

See details

Deadline: N/A

Journalism Innovation and Leadership PGCert Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Birmingham vs University of Lancashire: common questions

Is University of Birmingham or University of Lancashire cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £27,090 a year at University of Birmingham and £17,330 at University of Lancashire: University of Lancashire is about £9,760 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,390 a year at University of Birmingham and £19,250 at University of Lancashire: University of Lancashire is about £4,140 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 University of Birmingham and University of Lancashire?

Both universities teach 60 subject areas: Law, Sport & Exercise Sciences, History, Business & Management (General), Music, Health & Social Care, Medicine, Teacher Training, Computer Science, Physics, Civil Engineering, Manufacturing & Production Engineering and 48 more.

Is University of Birmingham or University of Lancashire better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £27,500 three years after graduating from University of Birmingham, and £21,000 from University of Lancashire. Student satisfaction with teaching is 83% at University of Birmingham and 87% at University of Lancashire. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does University of Birmingham or University of Lancashire offer more courses?

University of Birmingham lists 663 courses on CourseOptions and University of Lancashire lists 363 courses.

What can you study at University of Birmingham but not at University of Lancashire?

University of Birmingham teaches 41 subject areas that University of Lancashire does not, including Politics & International Relations, Philosophy, Geology & Earth Sciences, International Development, Chemistry, Finance & Actuarial Science, History of Art & Design, Theology & Religious Studies and 33 more.

What can you study at University of Lancashire but not at University of Birmingham?

University of Lancashire teaches 22 subject areas that University of Birmingham does not, including Design & Fashion, Building & Construction, Games Design & Computer Animation, Asian Languages & Studies, Safety & Mining Engineering, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Forensic Science, Journalism and 14 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of Birmingham663 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of Lancashire363 courses · 15 scholarshipsBrowse Courses