Skip to main content

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.

A
Abertay University

Dundee · Guardian UK #55

U
University of Manchester

Manchester · QS World #40

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.

2/9

Abertay

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

7/9

Manchester

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Manchester leads in 7 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Abertay University is ahead on satisfaction, employment.

Abertay University vs University of Manchester at a glance

Abertay University and University of Manchester both teach 25 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Civil Engineering and Management. Abertay University offers 82 courses across 31 subject areas; University of Manchester offers 1,041 courses across 116 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,950 a year at Abertay University and £32,300 at University of Manchester: Abertay University is about £15,350 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,950 a year at Abertay University and £26,800 at University of Manchester: Abertay University is about £7,850 a year cheaper.

Of the 11 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Manchester is higher in 10 and Abertay University in 1. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £30,500 three years after graduating from Abertay University, against £44,000 from University of Manchester. Of the 8 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Abertay University is higher in 6 and University of Manchester in 2.

World & National Rankings

Compare world and national league table positions, TEF ratings, and Russell Group membership.

—
QS World
#40
—
THE World
#56
#55
Guardian UK
#29
1888
Established
1824
No
Russell Group
Yes
—
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.

Abertay University

University of Manchester

88%
85.1%

Satisfaction

Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)

£29,600
£36,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

80.5%
80%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

9.3%
40%

International

International student share

82
1041

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
6

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.

Abertay

29 countries · 9.3% international

  • 🇫🇷France28%
  • 🇮🇳India16.1%
  • 🇺🇸United States8.6%
  • 🇨🇳China3.2%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria3.2%
VS

Manchester

120 countries · 40% international

  • 🇨🇳China51%
  • 🇮🇳India7.6%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia4.9%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.1%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.5%

Subjects

25 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.

Abertay University

University of Manchester

Also taught at both: Applied Psychology, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Mental Health Nursing, Nutrition & Dietetics, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Forensic Science, Human Resource Management, Applied Computing, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Software Engineering.

Only at Abertay University

Only at University of Manchester

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

Abertay University
£16,950
University of Manchester
£32,300

Abertay University is about £15,350 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Abertay University
£18,950
University of Manchester
£26,800

Abertay University is about £7,850 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.

Abertay University

University of Manchester

  • Civil Engineering

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    93%Satisfaction77%

  • Management

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    No dataSatisfaction84%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £22,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    88%Satisfaction84%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    64%Satisfaction88%

  • Law

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    92%Satisfaction89%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    90%Satisfaction86%

  • Accounting

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    73%Satisfaction87%

  • Psychology (General)

    £22,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    86%Satisfaction84%

  • Computer Science

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£44,000
    No dataSatisfaction82%

  • Developmental & Educational Psychology

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    90%Satisfaction86%

  • Mental Health Nursing

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    98%SatisfactionNo data

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Abertay University

View all scholarships →

University of Manchester

Spärck AI Scholarship

£20,780

Deadline: N/A

The Sadler Bursary

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

The Bason Family Bursary

£6,000

Deadline: N/A

The Cowrie Foundation Scholarships

£6,000

Deadline: N/A

Accommodation Bursary

£2,050

Deadline: Jul 2026

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Abertay University vs University of Manchester: common questions

Is Abertay University or University of Manchester cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,950 a year at Abertay University and £32,300 at University of Manchester: Abertay University is about £15,350 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,950 a year at Abertay University and £26,800 at University of Manchester: Abertay University is about £7,850 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 Abertay University and University of Manchester?

Both universities teach 25 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Civil Engineering, Management, Sociology & Criminology, Business & Management (General), Law, Statistics, Biomedical Sciences, Accounting, Psychology (General), Clinical & Health Psychology, Finance & Actuarial Science and 13 more.

Is Abertay University or University of Manchester better for Civil Engineering?

Civil Engineering graduates earn a median £27,000 three years after graduating from Abertay University, and £30,500 from University of Manchester. Student satisfaction with teaching is 93% at Abertay University and 77% at University of Manchester. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Abertay University or University of Manchester offer more courses?

University of Manchester lists 1,041 courses on CourseOptions and Abertay University lists 82 courses.

What can you study at Abertay University but not at University of Manchester?

Abertay University teaches 6 subject areas that University of Manchester does not, including Games Design & Computer Animation, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Food Science, Building & Construction, Film Production & Cinematography and Hospitality, Events & Tourism.

What can you study at University of Manchester but not at Abertay University?

University of Manchester teaches 91 subject areas that Abertay University does not, including Physics, Chemical Engineering, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Dentistry, Economics, Chemistry, Mathematics and 83 more.

Ready to explore courses?

Browse available courses, check entry requirements, and find scholarships at each university.

A
Abertay University82 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Manchester1,041 courses · 6 scholarshipsBrowse Courses