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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
Arts University Bournemouth

Poole

U
University of Manchester

Manchester · QS World #40

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 8 datapoints

We looked at 8 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

2/8

Arts University Bournemouth

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

6/8

Manchester

scored higher in 6 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Manchester leads in 6 of 8 categories where both have data (Russell Group, established, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Arts University Bournemouth is ahead on satisfaction, employment.

Arts University Bournemouth vs University of Manchester at a glance

Arts University Bournemouth and University of Manchester both teach 8 subject areas, the largest being Design & Fashion, Business & Management (General) and Media & Film Studies. Arts University Bournemouth offers 78 courses across 13 subject areas; University of Manchester offers 1,041 courses across 116 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,950 a year at Arts University Bournemouth and £32,300 at University of Manchester: Arts University Bournemouth is about £12,350 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,980 a year at Arts University Bournemouth and £26,800 at University of Manchester: Arts University Bournemouth is about £6,820 a year cheaper.

Of the 3 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Manchester is higher in 2 and Arts University Bournemouth in 1. The widest gap is in Business & Management (General): £22,500 three years after graduating from Arts University Bournemouth, against £29,000 from University of Manchester. Of the 3 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Arts University Bournemouth is higher in 1 and University of Manchester in 1, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
#40
—
THE World
#56
—
Guardian UK
#29
1883
Established
1824
No
Russell Group
Yes
Silver
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Arts University Bournemouth

University of Manchester

86.6%
85.1%

Satisfaction

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

£26,900
£36,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81%
80%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

13.5%
40%

International

International student share

78
1041

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

1
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.

Arts University Bournemouth

35 countries · 13.5% international

  • 🇨🇳China17.8%
  • 🇮🇳India12.9%
  • 🇺🇸United States8.9%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5%
  • 🌐Iceland3%
VS

Manchester

120 countries · 40% international

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

Subjects

8 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.

Arts University Bournemouth

University of Manchester

Only at Arts University Bournemouth

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

Arts University Bournemouth
£19,950
University of Manchester
£32,300

Arts University Bournemouth is about £12,350 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Arts University Bournemouth
£19,980
University of Manchester
£26,800

Arts University Bournemouth is about £6,820 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.

Arts University Bournemouth

University of Manchester

  • Design & Fashion

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    87%Satisfaction88%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    84%Satisfaction88%

  • Drama & Theatre

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    94%Satisfaction91%

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Arts University Bournemouth

British National Residing Overseas

See details

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

Arts University Bournemouth vs University of Manchester: common questions

Is Arts University Bournemouth or University of Manchester cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,950 a year at Arts University Bournemouth and £32,300 at University of Manchester: Arts University Bournemouth is about £12,350 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,980 a year at Arts University Bournemouth and £26,800 at University of Manchester: Arts University Bournemouth is about £6,820 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 Arts University Bournemouth and University of Manchester?

Both universities teach 8 subject areas: Design & Fashion, Business & Management (General), Media & Film Studies, Drama & Theatre, Architecture, Creative Writing, Performing Arts (General) and Personal & Professional Development.

Is Arts University Bournemouth or University of Manchester better for Design & Fashion?

Design & Fashion graduates earn a median £22,500 three years after graduating from Arts University Bournemouth, and £21,000 from University of Manchester. Student satisfaction with teaching is 87% at Arts University Bournemouth and 88% at University of Manchester. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Arts University Bournemouth or University of Manchester offer more courses?

University of Manchester lists 1,041 courses on CourseOptions and Arts University Bournemouth lists 78 courses.

What can you study at Arts University Bournemouth but not at University of Manchester?

Arts University Bournemouth teaches 5 subject areas that University of Manchester does not, including Film Production & Cinematography, Fine Art, Creative Arts (General), Games Design & Computer Animation and Building & Construction.

What can you study at University of Manchester but not at Arts University Bournemouth?

University of Manchester teaches 108 subject areas that Arts University Bournemouth does not, including Politics & International Relations, Physics, Chemical Engineering, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Dentistry, Economics, Management and 100 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

A
Arts University Bournemouth78 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses
U
University of Manchester1,041 courses · 6 scholarshipsBrowse Courses