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.
Chester · Guardian UK #91
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.
6/7
Chester
scored higher in 6 categories
1/7
Cumbria
scored higher in 1 category
Quick Verdict
University of Chester leads in 6 of 7 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, international, courses, scholarship). University of Cumbria is ahead on employment.
University of Chester vs University of Cumbria at a glance
University of Chester and University of Cumbria both teach 27 subject areas, the largest being Childhood & Youth Studies, Hospitality, Events & Tourism and Business & Management (General). University of Chester offers 329 courses across 73 subject areas; University of Cumbria offers 136 courses across 40 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £14,950 a year at University of Chester and £16,000 at University of Cumbria: University of Chester is about £1,050 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £15,500 a year at University of Chester and £16,900 at University of Cumbria: University of Chester is about £1,400 a year cheaper.
Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Chester is higher in 10 and University of Cumbria in 7, with 3 about level. The widest gap is in Biomedical Sciences: £27,500 three years after graduating from University of Chester, against £33,000 from University of Cumbria. Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Chester is higher in 10 and University of Cumbria in 9, 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.
University of Chester
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.
Chester
52 countries · 28.7% international
- 🇮🇳India32.1%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan26.7%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria11.7%
- 🌐Sri Lanka7.1%
- 🇧🇩Bangladesh2.8%
Cumbria
14 countries · 2.6% international
- 🇨🇦Canada14.9%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan14.9%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria10.6%
- 🇩🇪Germany8.5%
- 🇮🇪Ireland8.5%
Subjects
27 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 Chester
University of Cumbria
Childhood & Youth Studies
26 coursesTypical fee £14,950 (PG)
17 coursesTypical fee £31,000 (PG)
Hospitality, Events & Tourism
21 coursesTypical fee £14,950 (UG)
3 coursesTypical fee £16,000 (UG)
Business & Management (General)
14 coursesTypical fee £14,950 (UG)
7 coursesTypical fee £16,000 (UG)
Psychology (General)
14 coursesTypical fee £14,950 (UG)
5 coursesTypical fee £16,000 (UG)
Sociology & Criminology
16 coursesTypical fee £14,950 (UG)
3 coursesTypical fee £16,000 (UG)
Sport & Exercise Sciences
6 coursesTypical fee £14,950 (UG)
10 coursesTypical fee £16,000 (UG)
Design & Fashion
Health Sciences & Paramedic Science
Law
Computer Science
Film Production & Cinematography
Business Studies
Adult Nursing
Mental Health Nursing
Biomedical Sciences
Also taught at both: Counselling & Psychotherapy, Ecology & Conservation, Games Design & Computer Animation, Learning Disabilities Nursing, Social Work, Teacher Training, Applied Psychology, Children's Nursing, Education Studies, Fine Art, Health & Social Care, Midwifery.
Only at University of Chester
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 Chester
- £14,950
- University of Cumbria
- £16,000
University of Chester is about £1,050 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- University of Chester
- £15,500
- University of Cumbria
- £16,900
University of Chester is about £1,400 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 Chester
University of Cumbria
Hospitality, Events & Tourism
£19,500Salary (3 years)£21,00083%Satisfaction82%Business & Management (General)
£21,500Salary (3 years)£21,00079%Satisfaction85%Psychology (General)
£20,500Salary (3 years)£19,50082%Satisfaction87%Sociology & Criminology
£20,500Salary (3 years)£19,50086%Satisfaction70%Sport & Exercise Sciences
£21,000Salary (3 years)£21,00090%Satisfaction84%Design & Fashion
£19,000Salary (3 years)£17,00082%Satisfaction74%Law
£20,000Salary (3 years)£18,50089%Satisfaction95%Film Production & Cinematography
£19,000Salary (3 years)£17,00080%Satisfaction77%Business Studies
£21,500Salary (3 years)£21,00088%Satisfaction89%Adult Nursing
£27,500Salary (3 years)£27,50082%Satisfaction74%Mental Health Nursing
£30,000Salary (3 years)£28,50083%Satisfaction74%Biomedical Sciences
£27,500Salary (3 years)£33,00073%Satisfaction100%
Showing the 12 largest of 20 shared subjects with published outcomes.
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveUniversity of Chester
NHS Learning Support Fund
£5,000
Deadline: N/A
Visit Us Travel Bursary
£100
Deadline: N/A
Futures Employability Fund
See details
Deadline: N/A
FAQ
University of Chester vs University of Cumbria: common questions
Is University of Chester or University of Cumbria cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £14,950 a year at University of Chester and £16,000 at University of Cumbria: University of Chester is about £1,050 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £15,500 a year at University of Chester and £16,900 at University of Cumbria: University of Chester is about £1,400 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 Chester and University of Cumbria?
Both universities teach 27 subject areas: Childhood & Youth Studies, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Business & Management (General), Psychology (General), Sociology & Criminology, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Design & Fashion, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Law, Computer Science, Film Production & Cinematography, Business Studies and 15 more.
Is University of Chester or University of Cumbria better for Hospitality, Events & Tourism?
Hospitality, Events & Tourism graduates earn a median £19,500 three years after graduating from University of Chester, and £21,000 from University of Cumbria. Student satisfaction with teaching is 83% at University of Chester and 82% at University of Cumbria. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does University of Chester or University of Cumbria offer more courses?
University of Chester lists 329 courses on CourseOptions and University of Cumbria lists 136 courses.
What can you study at University of Chester but not at University of Cumbria?
University of Chester teaches 46 subject areas that University of Cumbria does not, including Politics & International Relations, Archaeology, Software Engineering, Geography (General), Marketing, Nutrition & Dietetics, Journalism, Accounting and 38 more.
What can you study at University of Cumbria but not at University of Chester?
University of Cumbria teaches 13 subject areas that University of Chester does not, including Forestry & Arboriculture, Human Geography & Environment, Mechanical Engineering, Nursing (General), Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Zoology & Animal Biology, Environmental Sciences, Medical Imaging and 5 more.
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