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.
Lancaster · Guardian UK #101
Leeds · QS World #77
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.
1/9
Cumbria
scored higher in 1 category
8/9
Leeds
scored higher in 8 categories
Quick Verdict
University of Leeds 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 Cumbria vs University of Leeds at a glance
University of Cumbria and University of Leeds both teach 31 subject areas, the largest being Business Studies, Childhood & Youth Studies and Design & Fashion. University of Cumbria offers 136 courses across 40 subject areas; University of Leeds offers 579 courses across 110 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,000 a year at University of Cumbria and £33,700 at University of Leeds: University of Cumbria is about £17,700 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,900 a year at University of Cumbria and £31,500 at University of Leeds: University of Cumbria is about £14,600 a year cheaper.
Of the 21 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Leeds is higher in 19 and University of Cumbria in 2. The widest gap is in Business Studies: £21,000 three years after graduating from University of Cumbria, against £36,000 from University of Leeds. Of the 21 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Leeds is higher in 11 and University of Cumbria in 10.
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 Cumbria
University of Leeds
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.
Cumbria
14 countries · 2.6% international
- 🇨🇦Canada14.9%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan14.9%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria10.6%
- 🇩🇪Germany8.5%
- 🇮🇪Ireland8.5%
Leeds
105 countries · 31.5% international
- 🇨🇳China49.5%
- 🇮🇳India9.6%
- 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.9%
- 🇲🇾Malaysia3.4%
- 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.8%
Subjects
31 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 Cumbria
University of Leeds
Business Studies
5 coursesTypical fee £16,000 (UG)
17 coursesTypical fee £29,000 (UG)
Childhood & Youth Studies
17 coursesTypical fee £31,000 (PG)
3 coursesTypical fee £27,300 (UG)
Design & Fashion
6 coursesTypical fee £16,000 (UG)
14 coursesTypical fee £29,600 (UG)
Computer Science
2 coursesTypical fee £16,000 (UG)
16 coursesTypical fee £33,700 (UG)
Law
4 coursesTypical fee £16,000 (UG)
14 coursesTypical fee £27,600 (UG)
Sociology & Criminology
3 coursesTypical fee £16,000 (UG)
13 coursesTypical fee £27,300 (UG)
Sport & Exercise Sciences
10 coursesTypical fee £16,000 (UG)
4 coursesTypical fee £33,800 (UG)
Education Studies
2 coursesTypical fee £16,000 (UG)
10 coursesTypical fee £15,000 (PG)
Business & Management (General)
Human Geography & Environment
Management
1 courseTypical fee £16,000 (UG)
10 coursesTypical fee £29,000 (UG)
Ecology & Conservation
Film Production & Cinematography
Mechanical Engineering
Medical Imaging
Also taught at both: Zoology & Animal Biology, Psychology (General), Biomedical Engineering, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Biomedical Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Fine Art, Health & Social Care, Teacher Training, Adult Nursing, Mental Health Nursing, Midwifery, Physical Geography & Climate, Applied Psychology, Children's Nursing, Social Work.
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
- University of Cumbria
- £16,000
- University of Leeds
- £33,700
University of Cumbria is about £17,700 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- University of Cumbria
- £16,900
- University of Leeds
- £31,500
University of Cumbria is about £14,600 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 Cumbria
University of Leeds
Business Studies
£21,000Salary (3 years)£36,00089%Satisfaction84%Design & Fashion
£17,000Salary (3 years)£24,00074%Satisfaction87%Law
£18,500Salary (3 years)£26,00095%Satisfaction87%Sociology & Criminology
£19,500Salary (3 years)£25,00070%Satisfaction82%Sport & Exercise Sciences
£21,000Salary (3 years)£26,50084%Satisfaction75%Human Geography & Environment
£19,000Salary (3 years)£30,50077%Satisfaction81%Management
£21,000Salary (3 years)£33,00076%Satisfaction83%Ecology & Conservation
£21,000Salary (3 years)£26,00092%Satisfaction82%Film Production & Cinematography
£17,000Salary (3 years)£23,00077%Satisfaction92%Medical Imaging
£33,000Salary (3 years)£35,00089%Satisfaction73%Zoology & Animal Biology
£21,000Salary (3 years)£22,00088%Satisfaction86%Psychology (General)
£19,500Salary (3 years)£25,00087%Satisfaction91%
Showing the 12 largest of 21 shared subjects with published outcomes.
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveUniversity of Leeds
Gazan Humanitarian Scholarship
100%
Deadline: N/A
Gazan Humanitarian Scholarship
100%
Deadline: N/A
Global Community Bursary
£10,000
Deadline: Jun 2026
Sanctuary Scholarship
£10,000
Deadline: N/A
Sanctuary Scholarship
£10,000
Deadline: N/A
FAQ
University of Cumbria vs University of Leeds: common questions
Is University of Cumbria or University of Leeds cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,000 a year at University of Cumbria and £33,700 at University of Leeds: University of Cumbria is about £17,700 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,900 a year at University of Cumbria and £31,500 at University of Leeds: University of Cumbria is about £14,600 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 Cumbria and University of Leeds?
Both universities teach 31 subject areas: Business Studies, Childhood & Youth Studies, Design & Fashion, Computer Science, Law, Sociology & Criminology, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Education Studies, Business & Management (General), Human Geography & Environment, Management, Ecology & Conservation and 19 more.
Is University of Cumbria or University of Leeds better for Business Studies?
Business Studies graduates earn a median £21,000 three years after graduating from University of Cumbria, and £36,000 from University of Leeds. Student satisfaction with teaching is 89% at University of Cumbria and 84% at University of Leeds. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does University of Cumbria or University of Leeds offer more courses?
University of Leeds lists 579 courses on CourseOptions and University of Cumbria lists 136 courses.
What can you study at University of Cumbria but not at University of Leeds?
University of Cumbria teaches 9 subject areas that University of Leeds does not, including Forestry & Arboriculture, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Nursing (General), Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Games Design & Computer Animation, Learning Disabilities Nursing, Plant Sciences and 1 more.
What can you study at University of Leeds but not at University of Cumbria?
University of Leeds teaches 79 subject areas that University of Cumbria does not, including Civil Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Politics & International Relations, Economics, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, Music and 71 more.
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