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.
Bristol · QS World #57
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
Bristol
scored higher in 8 categories
1/9
Cumbria
scored higher in 1 category
Quick Verdict
University of Bristol leads in 8 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Cumbria is ahead on employment.
University of Bristol vs University of Cumbria at a glance
University of Bristol and University of Cumbria both teach 21 subject areas, the largest being Management, Law and Childhood & Youth Studies. University of Bristol offers 479 courses across 83 subject areas; University of Cumbria offers 136 courses across 40 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,300 a year at University of Bristol and £16,000 at University of Cumbria: University of Cumbria is about £15,300 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,460 a year at University of Bristol and £16,900 at University of Cumbria: University of Cumbria is about £11,560 a year cheaper.
Of the 12 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Bristol is higher in 11 and University of Cumbria in 1. The widest gap is in Management: £44,000 three years after graduating from University of Bristol, against £21,000 from University of Cumbria. Of the 12 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Bristol is higher in 8 and University of Cumbria in 4.
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.
University of Bristol
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.
Bristol
104 countries · 33.6% international
- 🇨🇳China53.5%
- 🇮🇳India7.2%
- 🇭🇰Hong Kong3.8%
- 🇲🇾Malaysia3.6%
- 🇸🇬Singapore2.8%
Cumbria
14 countries · 2.6% international
- 🇨🇦Canada14.9%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan14.9%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria10.6%
- 🇩🇪Germany8.5%
- 🇮🇪Ireland8.5%
Subjects
21 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 Bristol
University of Cumbria
Management
21 coursesTypical fee £28,200 (UG)
1 courseTypical fee £16,000 (UG)
Law
15 coursesTypical fee £25,500 (UG)
4 coursesTypical fee £16,000 (UG)
Childhood & Youth Studies
1 courseTypical fee £12,300 (PG)
17 coursesTypical fee £31,000 (PG)
Business & Management (General)
Computer Science
13 coursesTypical fee £33,400 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £16,000 (UG)
Film Production & Cinematography
Psychology (General)
Design & Fashion
Education Studies
Sociology & Criminology
Health Sciences & Paramedic Science
Physical Geography & Climate
Human Geography & Environment
Mechanical Engineering
Biomedical Sciences
Also taught at both: Business Studies, Social Work, Welsh Studies, Zoology & Animal Biology, Health & Social Care, Plant Sciences.
Only at University of Bristol
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 Bristol
- £31,300
- University of Cumbria
- £16,000
University of Cumbria is about £15,300 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- University of Bristol
- £28,460
- University of Cumbria
- £16,900
University of Cumbria is about £11,560 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.
University of Bristol
University of Cumbria
Management
£44,000Salary (3 years)£21,00084%Satisfaction76%Law
£35,000Salary (3 years)£18,50087%Satisfaction95%Film Production & Cinematography
£23,000Salary (3 years)£17,00089%Satisfaction77%Psychology (General)
£26,500Salary (3 years)£19,50089%Satisfaction87%Design & Fashion
£23,000Salary (3 years)£17,00089%Satisfaction74%Sociology & Criminology
£27,000Salary (3 years)£19,50088%Satisfaction70%Physical Geography & Climate
£32,000Salary (3 years)£19,00092%Satisfaction85%Biomedical Sciences
£29,000Salary (3 years)£33,00090%Satisfaction100%Business Studies
£40,500Salary (3 years)£21,00084%Satisfaction89%Social Work
£34,500Salary (3 years)£28,00082%Satisfaction70%Zoology & Animal Biology
£23,000Salary (3 years)£21,00096%Satisfaction88%Plant Sciences
£28,000Salary (3 years)£21,00094%Satisfaction95%
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveUniversity of Bristol
Black Heritage PhD Scholarships
100%
Deadline: N/A
Black heritage PhD scholarships
100%
Deadline: N/A
Bristol Postgraduate Research Scholarships
100%
Deadline: N/A
Bristol Postgraduate Research Scholarships for applicants of Black heritage
100%
Deadline: N/A
British Council scholarships for Women
100%
Deadline: N/A
FAQ
University of Bristol vs University of Cumbria: common questions
Is University of Bristol or University of Cumbria cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,300 a year at University of Bristol and £16,000 at University of Cumbria: University of Cumbria is about £15,300 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,460 a year at University of Bristol and £16,900 at University of Cumbria: University of Cumbria is about £11,560 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 University of Bristol and University of Cumbria?
Both universities teach 21 subject areas: Management, Law, Childhood & Youth Studies, Business & Management (General), Computer Science, Film Production & Cinematography, Psychology (General), Design & Fashion, Education Studies, Sociology & Criminology, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Physical Geography & Climate and 9 more.
Is University of Bristol or University of Cumbria better for Management?
Management graduates earn a median £44,000 three years after graduating from University of Bristol, and £21,000 from University of Cumbria. Student satisfaction with teaching is 84% at University of Bristol and 76% at University of Cumbria. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does University of Bristol or University of Cumbria offer more courses?
University of Bristol lists 479 courses on CourseOptions and University of Cumbria lists 136 courses.
What can you study at University of Bristol but not at University of Cumbria?
University of Bristol teaches 62 subject areas that University of Cumbria does not, including Mathematics, Economics, Physics, Anatomy & Pathology, Politics & International Relations, Social Policy & Public Policy, Dentistry, Electronic & Electrical Engineering and 54 more.
What can you study at University of Cumbria but not at University of Bristol?
University of Cumbria teaches 19 subject areas that University of Bristol does not, including Sport & Exercise Sciences, Forestry & Arboriculture, Ecology & Conservation, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Nursing (General), Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Adult Nursing, Counselling & Psychotherapy and 11 more.
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