Lancaster University : Rankings, Fees & Courses Details | TopUniversities
Ranking

# 157QS World University Rankings

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471Undergrad. & Postgrad. Programmes

International

34 % International students

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About Lancaster University

Located just three miles from Lancaster city centre in England's scenic north-west, Lancaster University is situated on a spacious parkland campus. Our welcoming and diverse community is comprised of staff and students from over 120 different countries, so whether you’re local or crossing oceans to join us, you’ll build lifelong global connections and make memories to last a lifetime.

A highly ranked global university

Lancaster is internationally renowned for excellence in teaching and research. We are proud to be a UK Top 10 University (Complete University Guide 2026) and awarded 5 Stars for overall performance in the globally renowned QS World Rankings. The evaluation features 5 Stars rating for each category – teaching, employability, global engagement, research, facilities, subject ranking and environmental impact.

World-class research

Our teaching is underpinned by the research we do to solve some of the world’s greatest challenges.  Studying here means you’ll learn from distinguished academics at the forefront of their fields. The strength of our research was recognised by the UK Government’s Research Excellence Framework which rated 91% of our research world-leading or internationally excellent in 2021.

Collegiate system

We’re proud to be one of only a handful of UK universities with a collegiate community. Our diverse student population is split into smaller communities across nine colleges. Each college offers high quality accommodation, places to study, social spaces and access to support. They offer a safe, welcoming space, where it is easy to make friends with students from many different nationalities and walks of life.

Campus life

Our campus is more than just a place to study; it’s a home from home with everything you need for an enriching student experience. This includes a range of high-quality accommodation, a variety of food and drink outlets, an impressive Sports Centre, plenty of green space, 24-hour security, and so much more. We guarantee a room on campus to all incoming first year students who place us as their firm choice university and apply by our accommodation deadline. Our Students’ Union supports over 200 clubs and societies, and they’re a great way to meet people with shared interests, embrace your culture, and discover new passions. The campus is like a self-contained town with everything you need close by.

Careers support for life

Lancaster students benefit from access to our dedicated careers team for life and we’re named one of the top 30 most targeted universities by the UK's top graduate employers by the Graduate Market in 2025 report (High Fliers).

Find out more

Scholarships

Lancaster has generous scholarships for both  home  and  international  students. Not sure which one you are? Find out more about your fee status.

You will be  automatically considered  for Lancaster's major scholarships when you apply - we take all the information we need from your application so you don't have to do anything extra.

Find out more about our scholarships

Postgraduate Digital Open Event - 19 November 2025

Join us online for an insight into postgraduate study at Lancaster University. Whether you're continuing your academic journey or enhancing your career prospects, this online event is your opportunity to explore our wide range of taught and research programmes. Hear from academic staff, chat with current postgraduates, and get expert advice on funding and scholarships, how to apply, and student life - all from the comfort of your home.

Book your place

About Lancaster University

Located just three miles from Lancaster city centre in England's scenic north-west, Lancaster University is situated on a spacious parkland campus. Our welcoming and diverse community is comprised of staff and students from over 120 different countries, so whether you’re local or crossing oceans to join us, you’ll build lifelong global connections and make memories to last a lifetime.

A highly ranked global university

Lancaster is internationally renowned for excellence in teaching and research. We are proud to be a UK Top 10 University (Complete University Guide 2026) and awarded 5 Stars for overall performance in the globally renowned QS World Rankings. The evaluation features 5 Stars rating for each category – teaching, employability, global engagement, research, facilities, subject ranking and environmental impact.

World-class research

Our teaching is underpinned by the research we do to solve some of the world’s greatest challenges.  Studying here means you’ll learn from distinguished academics at the forefront of their fields. The strength of our research was recognised by the UK Government’s Research Excellence Framework which rated 91% of our research world-leading or internationally excellent in 2021.

Collegiate system

We’re proud to be one of only a handful of UK universities with a collegiate community. Our diverse student population is split into smaller communities across nine colleges. Each college offers high quality accommodation, places to study, social spaces and access to support. They offer a safe, welcoming space, where it is easy to make friends with students from many different nationalities and walks of life.

Campus life

Our campus is more than just a place to study; it’s a home from home with everything you need for an enriching student experience. This includes a range of high-quality accommodation, a variety of food and drink outlets, an impressive Sports Centre, plenty of green space, 24-hour security, and so much more. We guarantee a room on campus to all incoming first year students who place us as their firm choice university and apply by our accommodation deadline. Our Students’ Union supports over 200 clubs and societies, and they’re a great way to meet people with shared interests, embrace your culture, and discover new passions. The campus is like a self-contained town with everything you need close by.

Careers support for life

Lancaster students benefit from access to our dedicated careers team for life and we’re named one of the top 30 most targeted universities by the UK's top graduate employers by the Graduate Market in 2025 report (High Fliers).

Find out more

Scholarships

Lancaster has generous scholarships for both  home  and  international  students. Not sure which one you are? Find out more about your fee status.

You will be  automatically considered  for Lancaster's major scholarships when you apply - we take all the information we need from your application so you don't have to do anything extra.

Find out more about our scholarships

Postgraduate Digital Open Event - 19 November 2025

Join us online for an insight into postgraduate study at Lancaster University. Whether you're continuing your academic journey or enhancing your career prospects, this online event is your opportunity to explore our wide range of taught and research programmes. Hear from academic staff, chat with current postgraduates, and get expert advice on funding and scholarships, how to apply, and student life - all from the comfort of your home.

Book your place

Available programmes

University information

Lancaster has a dedicated team of Admissions staff that manage applications and are on hand to help with any questions you might have about your application. We also have a specialist Visa and Immigration team to process visa applications and provide advice and guidance to you as you apply to study in the UK.

Bachelor

6.5+
87+

Master

580+
3.3+
6.5+
87+

The great thing about studying at a campus university is having everything you need in one place. Our accessible campus has 24-hour security and provides a range of facilities to accommodate student life.
We have a multitude of study spaces, from quiet corners to specialist labs. In our library, you’ll find staff ready to support your learning, over a million digital and physical resources, and a tree affectionately named ‘Norma’.
There are also plenty of social spaces within our colleges, open to all students. Aside from the colleges, you’ll find a multitude of food and drink options on campus, from cosy cafes to tempting takeaways.
We’ve invested over £25 million into our Sports Centre, with outdoor pitches, a swimming pool, a climbing wall, gymnasium, and an outdoor Trim Trail, there are many options to stay active.
Our green, spacious campus is surrounded by 150-year-old woodland with paths and trails. Sustainability is at our core – we’re committed to becoming carbon net zero by 2035.

15,378
82%
18%
5,207
68%
32%
1,459
61%
39%

Student life

Our beautiful parkland campus is often compared to a small town of its own. From social and study spaces to a weekly farmers’ market, multi-faith chaplaincy centre, and even a student-run cinema, everything you need is in one place. 
We have over 200 clubs and societies to choose from that are supported by our Students’ Union, offering plenty of opportunities to make new friends, get involved with your hobbies, and discover new interests. 
When venturing off campus, take a short bus journey to the city centre. Lancaster is an affordable student city with a jam-packed calendar of events. There are also plenty of independent and high street shops, cosy pubs and restaurants, a thriving cafe culture, and lively bars and clubs (including our Students’ Union nightclub, Sugarhouse).
We’re situated in the centre of the UK and we’re well-connected to major cities via great transport links. In just 1 hour you can be in Manchester, or in 2.5 hours, London, Glasgow or Edinburgh, and we’re also 30 minutes from the famous Lake District.

Tuition fees

Your tuition fees will be based on your residential status at the time of applying. To find out how much your tuition fees will be, please go to our course search and find the degree you are interested in studying or view the fees at a glance.
Our annual tuition fee is set for a 12-month session, starting in the October of your year of study.
We believe that funding concerns shouldn’t stop any student with the talent to thrive at Lancaster from applying. Lancaster University offers a range of funding and scholarships towards tuition fees and the cost of living. 

Scholarships

Selecting the right scholarship can be a daunting process. With countless options available, students often find themselves overwhelmed and confused. The decision can be especially stressful for those facing financial constraints or pursuing specific academic or career goals.

To help students navigate this challenging process, we recommend the following articles:

Employability

Going to university is a life-changing experience; it’s about expanding your knowledge, developing new skills, and making meaningful connections.
We offer specialised careers support for international students, and our services can be accessed from day one at Lancaster to graduation and beyond. What’s more, studying here is a great investment in your future. Not only are we one of the top 30 most targeted universities by the UK’s top graduate recruiters (Graduate Market in 2025 report by High Fliers in association with The Times), but a degree from Lancaster University will be recognised and valued by employers all around the world.
Whether you have an idea about your career path before you start university or not, we’re here to guide and support you throughout your time studying with us and throughout your life as a Lancaster graduate. In addition to the careers workshops and activities you might expect at university, such as CV advice and interview practice, we offer a range of work experiences, study and work abroad opportunities and bespoke employability programmes to help international students prepare for a career in the UK or overseas.

Rankings & Ratings

Lancaster University is one of the top Public universities in Lancaster,, United Kingdom. It is ranked #157 in QS World University Rankings 2026.

QS World University Rankings

  • 2015
    #160
  • 2016
    #121
  • 2017
    #129
  • 2018
    #=135
  • 2019
    #131
  • 2020
    #128
  • 2021
    #135
  • 2022
    #132
  • 2023
    #146
  • 2024
    #122
  • 2025
    #=141
  • 2026
    #157

QS World University Rankings

  • 2015
    #160
  • 2016
    #121
  • 2017
    #129
  • 2018
    #=135
  • 2019
    #131
  • 2020
    #128
  • 2021
    #135
  • 2022
    #132
  • 2023
    #146
  • 2024
    #122
  • 2025
    #=141
  • 2026
    #157

QS Stars is a rating system that helps you select the right university based on your interests. It provides a detailed look at an institution, identifying which universities rate highest in the specific topics that matter to you, like facilities, graduate employability, social responsibility, inclusiveness, and more.
QS StarsQS StarsQS StarsQS StarsQS Stars

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Frequently Asked Questions

Your tuition fees will be based on your residential status at the time of applying. To find out how much your tuition fees will be, please go to our course search and find the degree you are interested in studying or view the fees at a glance.
Our annual tuition fee is set for a 12-month session, starting in the October of your year of study.
We believe that funding concerns shouldn’t stop any student with the talent to thrive at Lancaster from applying. Lancaster University offers a range of funding and scholarships towards tuition fees and the cost of living. For more information, visit our website or speak to the department you are interested in studying with.
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