Lancaster University Rankings 2025

Intro

Lancaster University, founded in 1964 in the scenic North West of England, has evolved into one of the UK's most distinguished public research universities. Lancaster consistently places within the UK’s top 10 in major league tables like the Complete University Guide 2026 (10th), Guardian University Guide 2025 (11th), and The Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025 (12th). 

On a global scale, it secured a coveted QS Five-Star rating, ranking among only 16 UK universities to achieve this distinction, covering teaching, employability, research, facilities, and sustainability. Quality of education is further highlighted by its TEF Gold award for outstanding teaching and student outcomes.  

With its blend of academic prestige, proven teaching excellence, and global research impact, Lancaster University continues to be a top pick for ambitious students worldwide. 

Let’s now explore Lancaster University’s performance across global rankings in 2025–26. 

How is Lancaster University ranked globally in 2025–26? 

Between 2024 and 2026, Lancaster University has maintained a strong global presence across major university ranking frameworks. In the QS World University Rankings, Lancaster was ranked #122 in 2024, slipped slightly to #141 in 2025, and then stood at #157 in 2026, showing a gradual shift but still firmly within the top 200 universities worldwide. In the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings, Lancaster secured #155 in 2024 and #168 in 2025, underlining its commitment to sustainability and social impact, though the 2026 update is pending. Additionally, in the U.S. News Best Global Universities, Lancaster entered at #267 in 2025 and retained the same rank in 2026, reinforcing its stable recognition on the global stage. 

Overall, Lancaster continues to uphold its reputation as a globally respected research-intensive university. While its QS ranking shows a gradual decline, its consistent performance in the THE Impact Rankings and U.S. News highlights its sustained impact in research, teaching, and global engagement. 

Which Lancaster University subjects rank the highest in 2025? 

Lancaster University is globally recognised for its strong subject-specific performance, particularly in Management, Social Sciences, and STEM fields. The university consistently ranks among the top 100 worldwide in several QS, THE and U.S. News subject categories, highlighting its academic depth and international reputation. 

Let’s explore Lancaster’s subject-wise performance in detail: 

How does Lancaster University perform in QS Subject Rankings 2025? 

In the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025, Lancaster has excelled in several areas, with standout placements in Linguistics, Business & Management, and English Language & Literature. These results reflect the university’s strength in both social sciences and humanities, supported by innovative research and global collaborations. 

Lancaster University – QS Subject Ranking Trends (2023–2025) 

 Lancaster University MBA Ranking: Lancaster University’s Business & Management Studies program, often sought by MBA aspirants, has shown consistent global recognition, with QS rankings at 70th in 2023 → 72nd in 2024 → 99th in 2025. While there’s slight fluctuation, the program remains highly respected internationally. This reflects Lancaster’s commitment to quality business education, practical management training, and strong employability outcomes, making it an ideal choice for students seeking a career-focused and globally recognized MBA. 

What are Lancaster University’s subject rankings in U.S. News 2025? 

U.S. News Best Global Universities by Subject 2025 also confirms Lancaster’s academic strength, especially in Arts & Humanities, Social Sciences, and Computer Science. The university continues to strengthen its research output and global teaching impact across these disciplines. 

What are Lancaster University’s subject rankings in THE 2025? 

In the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings by Subject 2025, Lancaster University earned strong positions in multiple fields, reflecting its academic reputation, research impact, and teaching quality. Notably, disciplines like Business & Economics and Social Sciences continue to strengthen Lancaster’s profile as a globally recognized university for research and student outcomes. 

Lancaster University THE Subject Ranking Trends by Subject (2023–2025) 

• Business & Economics (MBA and Management Programs) 

Lancaster’s Business & Economics subject ranking has seen a modest dip from 69 in 2023 to 101–125 in 2025, but it still places the university among the top global business schools. Its triple-accredited Lancaster University Management School (LUMS) is widely respected for MBA, Finance, and Management programs, consistently praised for graduate employability and industry connections. 

• Engineering & Computer Science (B.Tech and Technical Programs) 

For Engineering, Lancaster has maintained a stable position at 176 globally from 2023–2025, reflecting consistent research and teaching quality. 
Meanwhile, Computer Science shows a decline from 126 in 2023 to 201–250 in 2025, indicating increased global competition but still retaining strong UK recognition. Together, these rankings highlight Lancaster’s steady technical foundation for B.Tech aspirants, offering practical learning, modern labs, and opportunities to integrate with research-driven projects. 

Curious to learn more about Lancaster University? 

Schedule a free 1:1 counselling session with our experts today and discover how you can secure admission to Lancaster University! 

How does Lancaster University compare with top UK universities in global rankings? 

When evaluating Lancaster University alongside its peers, the results show a competitive position in the global arena. While Lancaster ranks slightly below elite Russell Group institutions such as Oxford, Cambridge, and Imperial, it performs strongly among mid-tier UK universities and often surpasses many in terms of research impact and teaching reputation. Below is a consolidated table covering the QS World University Rankings 2026, THE World University Rankings 2025, and U.S. News Best Global Universities 2025. 

QS, THE, and U.S. News Global Rankings Comparison 

 Lancaster University holds a solid place in the global rankings, performing particularly well compared to other non-Russell Group universities, though trailing behind the UK’s top-tier institutions like Oxford, Cambridge, and Imperial. 

What are Employability & Graduate Outcomes at Lancaster University? 

Lancaster University is widely recognized for producing career-ready graduates. The university’s strong links with employers, outstanding careers support, and consistent national survey results highlight why Lancaster is among the most employable universities in the UK. 

• Graduate Outcomes Survey 2025 Results 

According to the latest Graduate Outcomes Survey 2025, an impressive 97% of Lancaster graduates are in employment or further study within six months of graduation. This performance is well above the UK average, showcasing Lancaster’s commitment to preparing students for successful career paths. 
  

• Employer Reputation in QS Rankings 

Lancaster consistently ranks as one of the top 30 most targeted universities by leading UK employers, as highlighted by the Graduate Market in 2024 report (High Fliers Research). This strong employer reputation is also reflected in QS World Rankings, where Lancaster receives positive scores under the “Employer Reputation” indicator. 
 

• Student & Alumni Perspectives 

Students and alumni highly value Lancaster’s career support. In the 2024–25 Rate My Placement survey, Lancaster was ranked 14th in the UK for quality of work experience opportunities. Alumni often highlight the university’s supportive career services and strong industry connections as key reasons for their success. 

Conclusion: Why Lancaster University is a Top Choice? 

Lancaster University continues to solidify its place among the world’s best universities, ranking #157 in QS World University Rankings 2026, #267 in U.S. News Best Global Universities 2025–26, and maintaining a strong reputation in the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings (#168 in 2025). These consistent performances highlight its global academic standing. 

Beyond rankings, Lancaster excels in outcomes, the Graduate Outcomes Survey 2025 shows 97% of graduates employed or pursuing further study within 15 months, while QS rankings recognize its employer reputation globally. With a modern campus, vast student community, and an alumni network spanning 180+ countries, the university provides a holistic student experience. 

For international students particularly those from India Lancaster offers the ideal mix of global recognition, career-driven education, and affordability compared to other top UK universities.