University of Liverpool vs University of Leeds

University of Liverpool vs University of Leeds

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Karia Kiritbhai

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Situated in northwest England , the University of Liverpool is a public university with a focus on research and a student population of about 27000. The admissions process is moderately selective, with an acceptance rate of around 14%. Some of the stronger programs include Medicine, Engineering, Business, and Life Sciences. The graduation rate is around 75–78%, and graduates earn about INR 30–34 lakhs annually (or £27,000–31,000) in early career salaries.

Located in West Yorkshire, the University of Leeds is another major public university focusing on research with a student population of about 39000. The admissions process is somewhat more selective than Liverpool, with an acceptance rate of approximately 64–77%. Some of the flagship programs are in Business, Engineering, Law, and Media Studies. The graduation rate is about 75–80%, and graduates earn about INR 33–37 lakhs (or £30,000–34,000) per year in early career earnings.

Overview Comparison
University of LiverpoolUniversity of Leeds
Collegedunia Score5.6 Out of 105.9 Out of 10
ranking (overall)# 21 The Guardian 2026
# 143 Times Higher Education 2026
# 147 QS World University 2026
# 28 The Guardian 2026
# 86 QS World University 2026
# 118 Times Higher Education 2026
Subject Strength# 105 for Engineering by Collegedunia.com 2026
# 78 for Medicine by Collegedunia Study Abroad 2026
# 27 for Law by The Guardian 2026
# 74 for Engineering by Collegedunia.com 2026
# 91 for Medicine by Collegedunia Study Abroad 2026
# 34 for Law by The Guardian 2026
ProgramsUG Programs -24
PG Programs -35
UG Programs -129
PG Programs -164
Acceptance Rate14.0 %56.7 %
Exam ScoreIELTS-6
PTE-55
TOEFL-88
GMAT-600
GRE-299
IELTS-6
PTE-60
SAT-1200
TOEFL-88
Cost to StudyAverage Tuition Fees   41600
[For UG Program]
Average Tuition Fees  43600
[For PG Program]
Hostel + Meal - 667 Per Year
Average Tuition Fees   32250
[For UG Program]
Average Tuition Fees  50318
[For PG Program]
Hostel + Meal - 4236 Per Year
placement (average package)

QS Graduate Employablity #161- 170; Highest paying degrees: Ph.D. (101,000 USD); Doctorate (96,000 USD); MBA (89,000 USD); Masters in Science (69,000 USD); Bachelor of Science (67,000 USD).


Graduate Employability Ranking 2023: 52;

University of Leeds is one of the top public universities in Leeds, United Kingdom. It is ranked #86 in QS World University Rankings 2023.

Average Salaries Of :

  • MBA : $91,000 
  • Executive MBA :  $83,000 
  • Masters in Management : $70,000 
  • Doctorate : $64,000 
  • Other Degree  :  $63,000 
  • Bachelor (Other) :  $61,000 

application requirements

Submit English language proficiency test scores

Check program specific requirements

Minimum 60% in bachelors for admission in PG; Letter of Intent, Statement of Purpose, CV, at least 2 references

Campuses and B-SchoolsNALeeds University Business School
CollegeDunia Reviews8.3/10 Read 26 reviews7.5/10 Read 57 reviews

Top Courses Comparison

Top Courses Comparison

ranking# 151 for Sciences by Academy Ranking of World Universities 2022
# 178 for Sciences by Times Higher Education 2022
# 49 for Computer Science by The Guardian 2026
# 127 for Computer Science by Collegedunia.com 2026
# 201 for Computer Science by QS World University 2025
exam scoresDuolingo - 120/160IELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 61/90TOEFL - 4.5/6IELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 64/90TOEFL - 88/120
cost to studyTotal Cost (Tuition + Living) -48400Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -50318
application datesJan 9, 2026 (Application Deadline For January 2026 Intake)
Aug 21, 2026 (Application Deadline For September 2026 Intake)
Jul 31, 2026 (Application Deadline For 2026 Intake)
ranking# 15 for Business by The Guardian 2026
# 151 for Business by QS World University 2025
# 151 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025
# 11 for Business by The Guardian 2026
# 101 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025
# 102 for Business by QS World University 2025
exam scoresDuolingo - 120/160IELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 61/90TOEFL - 4.5/6IELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 64/90TOEFL - 88/120
cost to studyTotal Cost (Tuition + Living) -39440Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -50318
documents required#Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose#Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose
application datesAug 21, 2026 (Application Deadline For September 2026 Intake)
Jul 31, 2026 (Application Deadline For 2026 Intake)
General Facts Comparison
General FactsUniversity of LiverpoolUniversity of Leeds
Type of UniversityUniversity
University
Established1881
1904
Student:Faculty Ratio14:1
13:1
Male:Female45% Male, 55% Female40% Male, 60% Female
Location Facts

Based in the city of Liverpool, England; 5 minutes' walk from Liverpool City Centre; Occupying 100 acres of land.


Campus is 10 minutes away from Leed’s city center; well-connected with regular public transport services; it has Parkinson Building, Maurice Keyworth Building, Great Hall and Post-war buildings


Library

Open 24 hours during term; Houses 2 million books; 40,000 electronic journals; Also houses the Special Collections & Archives.


5 libraries with 3900 study spaces; Brotherton library: for arts, social sciences, and law; Edward Boyle library: for science and engineering; Health Sciences Library: for medicine and health-related subjects; Laidlaw Library: for group work, bookable space and on-site academic skills support, St James University Hospital Library: supports university’s research & teaching staff, medical & healthcare students and employees of the Hospital trust; 


Campus Life

51 student-led sports clubs; 25 m swimming pool; fitness center; squash courts; sports halls; 13 grass pitches; 2 synthetic hockey pitches; 3G rugby training area; On-campus cafes: Victoria Gallery & Museum, Augustus John Public House, Vine Court and Guild of Students Food Court; Victoria Gallery & Museum; Garstang Museum of Archaeology; Liverpool Confucius Institute.


University’s union has over 300 clubs and societies; Free counseling, mental health support groups, workshops, etc; discounted access to university’s sports center: The Edge; Sports Park Weetwood for outdoor sports; various sports clubs and programs; University has shops, cafes, bars, nightclubs, theatre, spa, hairdressers, bank and a student advice center on-campus


Hostel#Premier Room(Per Week) - $199
#Premier Studio(Per week) - $221
#Premier Studio Apartment(Per Week) - $247
#Self Catered En-Suite Room - $1404
#Catered En-suite Room - $2460
Famous Alumni

10 Nobel Prize laureates; Edward Stringer (Deputy Chief Defence, Royal Air Force); Gwen Alston (Aerodynamicist & educationalist); Brian Hall (Footballer); Sanjay Jha (Co-CEO Motorola, Inc.); Martin Smith (Vehicle designer); Sir James Stirling (Architect); Sir Ronald Ross (Nobel Prize winner in Medicine); Wade Barrett (professional wrestler).


George Porter (Nobel Prize in Chemistry); Wole Soyinka (Nobel Prize in Literature); Archer John Porter Martin (Nobel Prize in Chemistry); Emma Mackey (actress); Tony Harrison (poet); Alan Yentob (former BBC executive); Piers Sellers (NASA astronaut)


City Life

Liverpool is a city in Merseyside, England; Projected 15% growth in the knowledge economy by 2022; 54 million visitors annually; 2nd highest number of museums and galleries; Popular attractions include: The Beatles Story; Albert Dock; Tate Gallery; Merseyside Maritime Museum; St. George's Hall; Museum of Liverpool


Leeds is the largest city of West Yorkshire in Northern England; located approximately 170 miles north of Central London; 30 minutes away from Leeds Bradford international airport; 1 hour away from Manchester airport; Unemployment rate in 2019 was 4.1%; it is the 8th largest engineering center and 2nd largest printing manufacturing center in UK


Weather
Comparison Notes

University of Liverpool vs University of Leeds

Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)

The University of Leeds is usually ranked within the global top 100–150 and is known for excellence in Business, Engineering, Social Sciences, Law, and Arts & Humanities. The University of Liverpool usually ranks within the global top 150-200 and, is recognized for its strength in Medicine, Life Sciences, Engineering, and Veterinary Sciences. Leeds is more recognized globally across a wide variety of disciplines, while Liverpool has particularly high recognition in health sciences and scientific research. 

General Information

The University of Leeds was founded in 1904 and is one of the largest universities in the UK with almost 39,000 students, a very long academic portfolio, and a lively student city. The University of Liverpool, founded in 1881, has about 33,000 students, is a founding member of the Russell Group, and is particularly well known for its medical school, international partnerships, and impact in research. Leeds has a larger campus and a wide-range of disciplines, while Liverpool is more comprehensive in its commitment to research and international linkages. 

Acceptance Rate & Admissions

Leeds has a moderate, progressive admissions process with a typical acceptance rate of 64%-77%, although this is especially competitive in Business, Law, and Engineering programs. Liverpool is similar with an acceptance rate of about 14% and is competitive in Medicine, Dentistry, and Veterinary Science programs. Both universities attract many international student enrollments, although Leeds is slightly more competitive overall due to demand for internationally recognized programs.

Research Impact & Facilities

Both are Russell Group research universities. Leeds is internationally renowned for research in climate studies, business, social sciences, and engineering, with major interdisciplinary centers. Liverpool is recognized for pioneering contributions in medicine, life sciences, oceanography, and engineering, with world-class labs and hospitals connected to its medical school. Leeds has a broader disciplinary impact, while Liverpool is particularly strong in scientific and medical research.

Cost & Financial Aid

For international students, tuition at Leeds averages £22,000–27,000 annually, depending on the program. At Liverpool, tuition is slightly lower, averaging £20,000–25,000. Living costs are reasonable in both cities, with Liverpool often slightly more affordable than Leeds. Both universities offer international scholarships, though Leeds provides a wider range of merit-based awards across multiple faculties.

Career Destinations & Graduates' Success

Leeds graduates are highly employable, especially in business, finance, media, law, and international roles, benefiting from strong industry partnerships and global recognition. Liverpool graduates often enter healthcare, research, engineering, and education, with strong professional pathways tied to its scientific and medical programs. Leeds provides greater global corporate reach, while Liverpool excels in science, medicine, and applied research careers.