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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
Aberystwyth University

Aberystwyth · QS World #801

U
University of Manchester

Manchester · QS World #40

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 7 datapoints

We looked at 7 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

2/7

Aberystwyth

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

5/7

Manchester

scored higher in 5 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Manchester leads in 5 of 7 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, courses). Aberystwyth University is ahead on TEF, scholarship.

Aberystwyth University vs University of Manchester at a glance

Aberystwyth University and University of Manchester both teach 55 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Physics and Mathematics. Aberystwyth University offers 414 courses across 66 subject areas; University of Manchester offers 1,041 courses across 116 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,720 a year at Aberystwyth University and £32,300 at University of Manchester: Aberystwyth University is about £11,580 a year cheaper.

Of the 27 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Manchester is higher in 27 and Aberystwyth University in 0. The widest gap is in Physics: £22,500 three years after graduating from Aberystwyth University, against £34,000 from University of Manchester. Of the 30 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Aberystwyth University is higher in 22 and University of Manchester in 7, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#801
QS World
#40
—
THE World
#56
#62
Guardian UK
#29
1872
Established
1824
No
Russell Group
Yes
Gold
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Aberystwyth University

University of Manchester

No data
85.1%

Satisfaction

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

No data
£36,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

No data
80%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

No data
40%

International

International student share

414
1041

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

22
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.

Aberystwyth

No published data on international students

    VS

    Manchester

    120 countries · 40% international

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

    Subjects

    55 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.

    Aberystwyth University

    University of Manchester

    Also taught at both: Biology, Geology & Earth Sciences, Psychology (General), Anatomy & Pathology, French, Genetics & Genomics, Zoology & Animal Biology, Creative Writing, English Literature, Accounting, Childhood & Youth Studies, Human Geography & Environment, Education Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Information Systems & Data Science, Media & Film Studies, Drama & Theatre, Physical Geography & Climate, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Spanish & Portuguese, Ecology & Conservation, Information & Library Studies, Biological Sciences (General), History of Art & Design, Marketing, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Ancient Languages, Applied Psychology, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Computing & IT, Mental Health Nursing, Philosophy, Plant Sciences, Humanities, English Language, English Studies, Software Engineering, Adult Nursing, Counselling & Psychotherapy, GIS & Remote Sensing.

    Only at Aberystwyth 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

    Aberystwyth University
    £20,720
    University of Manchester
    £32,300

    Aberystwyth University is about £11,580 a year cheaper.

    Postgraduate

    Aberystwyth University
    No data
    University of Manchester
    £26,800

    We do not have reliable international fee data for Aberystwyth University yet.

    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.

    Aberystwyth University

    University of Manchester

    • Politics & International Relations

      £22,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
      92%Satisfaction88%

    • Physics

      £22,500Salary (3 years)£34,000
      91%Satisfaction89%

    • Mathematics

      £23,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
      97%Satisfaction83%

    • History

      £19,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
      92%Satisfaction91%

    • Microbiology & Cell Biology

      £21,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
      92%Satisfaction81%

    • Economics

      £22,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
      73%Satisfaction85%

    • Law

      £20,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
      87%Satisfaction89%

    • Biochemistry

      £21,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
      95%Satisfaction87%

    • Sociology & Criminology

      £20,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
      87%Satisfaction84%

    • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

      No dataSalary (3 years)£33,500
      89%Satisfaction86%

    • Computer Science

      £34,000Salary (3 years)£44,000
      84%Satisfaction82%

    • Business Studies

      £23,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
      93%Satisfaction92%

    Showing the 12 largest of 31 shared subjects with published outcomes.

    Scholarships for International Students

    Exclusive

    Aberystwyth University

    International Accommodation Award

    100%

    Deadline: N/A

    International Accommodation Award

    100%

    Deadline: N/A

    Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship Exam

    £6,000

    Deadline: N/A

    Vice-Chancellor's Regional Scholarship (PG)

    £3,000

    Deadline: N/A

    David Game College Scholarship

    £2,500

    Deadline: N/A

    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

    Aberystwyth University vs University of Manchester: common questions

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

    For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,720 a year at Aberystwyth University and £32,300 at University of Manchester: Aberystwyth University is about £11,580 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 Aberystwyth University and University of Manchester?

    Both universities teach 55 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Physics, Mathematics, History, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Economics, Law, Biochemistry, Sociology & Criminology, Management, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Computer Science and 43 more.

    Is Aberystwyth University or University of Manchester better for Politics & International Relations?

    Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £22,000 three years after graduating from Aberystwyth University, and £26,500 from University of Manchester. Student satisfaction with teaching is 92% at Aberystwyth University and 88% at University of Manchester. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

    Does Aberystwyth University or University of Manchester offer more courses?

    University of Manchester lists 1,041 courses on CourseOptions and Aberystwyth University lists 414 courses.

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

    Aberystwyth University teaches 11 subject areas that University of Manchester does not, including Welsh Studies, Agriculture & Land Management, Animal Science, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Fine Art, Celtic Studies, Film Production & Cinematography, Countryside & Rural Management and 3 more.

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

    University of Manchester teaches 61 subject areas that Aberystwyth University does not, including Chemical Engineering, Dentistry, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Materials Science, Public Health & Epidemiology, Statistics, Medicine and 53 more.

    Ready to explore courses?

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

    A
    Aberystwyth University414 courses · 22 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
    U
    University of Manchester1,041 courses · 6 scholarshipsBrowse Courses