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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.

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University of Cambridge

Cambridge · QS World #6

U
University of Leicester

Leicester · QS World #314

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

Cambridge

scored higher in 8 categories

VS

3/11

Leicester

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

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

University of Cambridge vs University of Leicester at a glance

University of Cambridge and University of Leicester both teach 45 subject areas, the largest being Biological Sciences (General), Law and History. University of Cambridge offers 336 courses across 79 subject areas; University of Leicester offers 351 courses across 72 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,890 a year at University of Cambridge and £25,100 at University of Leicester: University of Leicester is about £7,790 a year cheaper.

Of the 15 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Cambridge is higher in 14 and University of Leicester in 1. The widest gap is in Economics: £59,500 three years after graduating from University of Cambridge, against £29,500 from University of Leicester. Of the 13 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Cambridge is higher in 8 and University of Leicester in 4, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#6
QS World
#314
#3
THE World
#192
#2
Guardian UK
#30
1209
Established
1921
Yes
Russell Group
No
Gold
TEF Rating
Gold

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

University of Cambridge

University of Leicester

92.1%
86.2%

Satisfaction

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

£49,800
£35,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

76.6%
79%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

32.2%
19.3%

International

International student share

336
351

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
28

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.

Cambridge

96 countries · 32.2% international

  • 🇨🇳China28.2%
  • 🇺🇸United States10.3%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore6.6%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5.3%
  • 🇮🇳India4.7%
VS

Leicester

81 countries · 19.3% international

  • 🇮🇳India36.3%
  • 🇨🇦Canada14.8%
  • 🇨🇳China9.4%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria5.9%
  • 🇦🇪United Arab Emirates1.9%

Subjects

45 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 Cambridge

University of Leicester

Also taught at both: Media & Film Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Ancient Languages, Psychology (General), Archaeology, Biomedical Sciences, Aerospace Engineering, Genetics & Genomics, Geology & Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Environment, Management, English Studies, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Classical Studies, Geography (General), Software Engineering, Anatomy & Pathology, History of Art & Design, Information & Library Studies, Creative Writing, Health & Social Care, Medicine, Biotechnology, Linguistics, Biochemistry, Business Studies, Civil Engineering, Humanities, Statistics.

Only at University of Cambridge

Only at University of Leicester

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 Cambridge
£32,890
University of Leicester
£25,100

University of Leicester is about £7,790 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Cambridge
£41,300
University of Leicester
No data

We do not have reliable international fee data for University of Leicester yet.

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 Cambridge

University of Leicester

  • Biological Sciences (General)

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    91%Satisfaction90%

  • Law

    £49,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    96%Satisfaction85%

  • History

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    95%Satisfaction94%

  • Computer Science

    £63,500Salary (3 years)£36,000
    94%Satisfaction83%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    No dataSatisfaction92%

  • Mathematics

    £44,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    94%Satisfaction79%

  • General Engineering

    £39,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    87%Satisfaction83%

  • Economics

    £59,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
    86%Satisfaction81%

  • Ancient Languages

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    97%Satisfaction97%

  • Psychology (General)

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    92%Satisfaction82%

  • Archaeology

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    95%Satisfaction98%

  • English Studies

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£22,000
    96%Satisfaction98%

Showing the 12 largest of 15 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Cambridge

View all scholarships →

University of Leicester

International Undergraduate Tuition Fee Waiver

100%

Deadline: N/A

ULSB International Deans Scholarship

£8,000

Deadline: N/A

Leicester-King Power Thai Scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

International Postgraduate Taught Merit Scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

International Undergraduate Merit Scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Cambridge vs University of Leicester: common questions

Is University of Cambridge or University of Leicester cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,890 a year at University of Cambridge and £25,100 at University of Leicester: University of Leicester is about £7,790 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 Cambridge and University of Leicester?

Both universities teach 45 subject areas: Biological Sciences (General), Law, History, Business & Management (General), Childhood & Youth Studies, Computer Science, Politics & International Relations, Mathematics, Sociology & Criminology, General Engineering, Physics, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science and 33 more.

Is University of Cambridge or University of Leicester better for Biological Sciences (General)?

Biological Sciences (General) graduates earn a median £35,000 three years after graduating from University of Cambridge, and £26,500 from University of Leicester. Student satisfaction with teaching is 91% at University of Cambridge and 90% at University of Leicester. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does University of Cambridge or University of Leicester offer more courses?

University of Leicester lists 351 courses on CourseOptions and University of Cambridge lists 336 courses.

What can you study at University of Cambridge but not at University of Leicester?

University of Cambridge teaches 34 subject areas that University of Leicester does not, including Asian Languages & Studies, Architecture, Clinical Specialities, Philosophy, Biology, Theology & Religious Studies, Chemical Engineering, Veterinary Medicine and 26 more.

What can you study at University of Leicester but not at University of Cambridge?

University of Leicester teaches 27 subject areas that University of Cambridge does not, including Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Journalism, Marketing, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Applied Psychology, English Literature, Accounting and 19 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of Cambridge336 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of Leicester351 courses · 28 scholarshipsBrowse Courses