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.
Preston · QS World #1001
Paisley · Guardian UK #115
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.
5/9
Lancashire
scored higher in 5 categories
4/9
West of Scotland
scored higher in 4 categories
Quick Verdict
University of Lancashire leads in 5 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, established, employment, courses, scholarship). University of the West of Scotland is ahead on ranking, satisfaction, international, graduate salary.
University of Lancashire vs University of the West of Scotland at a glance
University of Lancashire and University of the West of Scotland both teach 39 subject areas, the largest being Law, Sport & Exercise Sciences and Business Studies. University of Lancashire offers 363 courses across 82 subject areas; University of the West of Scotland offers 119 courses across 49 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,330 a year at University of Lancashire and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £1,830 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,250 a year at University of Lancashire and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £2,970 a year cheaper.
Of the 24 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of the West of Scotland is higher in 11 and University of Lancashire in 10, with 3 about level. The widest gap is in Business Studies: £35,000 three years after graduating from University of Lancashire, against £21,000 from University of the West of Scotland. Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Lancashire is higher in 14 and University of the West of Scotland in 8.
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 Lancashire
University of the West of Scotland
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.
Lancashire
74 countries · 20.5% international
- 🇮🇳India34.3%
- 🇦🇪United Arab Emirates9.3%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria8%
- 🌐Nepal6.6%
- 🇨🇦Canada4.4%
West of Scotland
33 countries · 30.3% international
- 🇵🇰Pakistan36.2%
- 🌐Nepal20.4%
- 🇮🇳India19.3%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria7.4%
- 🇧🇩Bangladesh5.3%
Subjects
39 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 Lancashire
University of the West of Scotland
Law
19 coursesTypical fee £17,330 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £14,500 (UG)
Sport & Exercise Sciences
16 coursesTypical fee £18,040 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £18,000 (UG)
Business Studies
Business & Management (General)
10 coursesTypical fee £18,750 (UG)
2 coursesFee not available
Music
10 coursesFee not available
2 coursesTypical fee £16,750 (UG)
Social Work
Design & Fashion
Teacher Training
Aerospace Engineering
Applied Computing
Hospitality, Events & Tourism
Psychology (General)
Social Sciences (General)
Business Information Systems
Accounting
Also taught at both: Adult Nursing, General Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mental Health Nursing, Physics, Sociology & Criminology, Biomedical Sciences, Education Studies, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Health & Social Care, Journalism, Forensic Science, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Media & Film Studies, Midwifery, Childhood & Youth Studies, English Language, Marketing, Mathematics, Biology, Healthcare Science, Nursing (General), Public Health & Epidemiology, Technology & Logistics.
Only at University of Lancashire
Only at University of the West of Scotland
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 Lancashire
- £17,330
- University of the West of Scotland
- £15,500
University of the West of Scotland is about £1,830 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- University of Lancashire
- £19,250
- University of the West of Scotland
- £16,280
University of the West of Scotland is about £2,970 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 Lancashire
University of the West of Scotland
Law
£21,000Salary (3 years)£21,00087%SatisfactionNo dataSport & Exercise Sciences
£20,500Salary (3 years)£21,00096%Satisfaction91%Business Studies
£35,000Salary (3 years)£21,00087%Satisfaction75%Music
£18,500Salary (3 years)£18,50098%Satisfaction90%Social Work
£27,500Salary (3 years)£30,50089%Satisfaction88%Design & Fashion
£19,500Salary (3 years)£17,50097%Satisfaction91%Teacher Training
£21,500Salary (3 years)£32,00096%Satisfaction94%Aerospace Engineering
£29,500Salary (3 years)£30,50071%Satisfaction100%Applied Computing
£24,500Salary (3 years)£22,00073%Satisfaction90%Hospitality, Events & Tourism
£21,000Salary (3 years)£19,00096%Satisfaction93%Social Sciences (General)
£20,500Salary (3 years)£23,00094%Satisfaction95%Accounting
£20,500Salary (3 years)£21,00090%Satisfaction86%
Showing the 12 largest of 26 shared subjects with published outcomes.
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveUniversity 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
University of the West of Scotland
View all scholarships →FAQ
University of Lancashire vs University of the West of Scotland: common questions
Is University of Lancashire or University of the West of Scotland cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,330 a year at University of Lancashire and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £1,830 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,250 a year at University of Lancashire and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £2,970 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 Lancashire and University of the West of Scotland?
Both universities teach 39 subject areas: Law, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Business Studies, Business & Management (General), Music, Social Work, Design & Fashion, Teacher Training, Aerospace Engineering, Applied Computing, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Psychology (General) and 27 more.
Is University of Lancashire or University of the West of Scotland better for Law?
Law graduates earn a median £21,000 three years after graduating from University of Lancashire, and £21,000 from University of the West of Scotland. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does University of Lancashire or University of the West of Scotland offer more courses?
University of Lancashire lists 363 courses on CourseOptions and University of the West of Scotland lists 119 courses.
What can you study at University of Lancashire but not at University of the West of Scotland?
University of Lancashire teaches 43 subject areas that University of the West of Scotland does not, including Medicine, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Computer Science, Building & Construction, Games Design & Computer Animation, Management, Asian Languages & Studies, Film Production & Cinematography and 35 more.
What can you study at University of the West of Scotland but not at University of Lancashire?
University of the West of Scotland teaches 10 subject areas that University of Lancashire does not, including Chemistry, Computing & IT, Applied Psychology, Community & Specialist Nursing, Politics & International Relations, Zoology & Animal Biology, Creative Arts (General), Cultural Studies and 2 more.
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