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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
Aston University, Birmingham

Birmingham · QS World #416

M
Manchester Metropolitan University

Manchester · QS World #600

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 10 datapoints

We looked at 10 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

7/10

Aston

scored higher in 7 categories

VS

3/10

Manchester Metropolitan

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

Aston University, Birmingham leads in 7 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, established, employment, international, graduate salary). Manchester Metropolitan University is ahead on satisfaction, courses, scholarship.

Aston University, Birmingham vs Manchester Metropolitan University at a glance

Aston University, Birmingham and Manchester Metropolitan University both teach 39 subject areas, the largest being Design & Fashion, Business Studies and Politics & International Relations. Aston University, Birmingham offers 169 courses across 51 subject areas; Manchester Metropolitan University offers 393 courses across 78 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £21,500 at Manchester Metropolitan University: Manchester Metropolitan University is about £1,080 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,000 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £21,000 at Manchester Metropolitan University: Manchester Metropolitan University is about £3,000 a year cheaper.

Of the 23 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Aston University, Birmingham is higher in 22 and Manchester Metropolitan University in 1. The widest gap is in Economics: £35,500 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, against £24,500 from Manchester Metropolitan University. Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Manchester Metropolitan University is higher in 11 and Aston University, Birmingham in 9, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#416
QS World
#600
#401
THE World
#601
#39
Guardian UK
#62
1895
Established
1970
No
Russell Group
No
Gold
TEF Rating
Gold

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Aston University, Birmingham

Manchester Metropolitan University

85.2%
87.7%

Satisfaction

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

£37,600
£28,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.5%
84.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.1%
9.3%

International

International student share

169
393

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
3

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.

Aston

67 countries · 22.1% international

  • 🇮🇳India40.8%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria10.2%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan5.9%
  • 🌐Kuwait4.2%
  • 🇻🇳Vietnam4%
VS

Manchester Metropolitan

90 countries · 9.3% international

  • 🇮🇳India21.7%
  • 🇨🇳China10.8%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan7.1%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria7%
  • 🌐Kuwait5.8%

Subjects

39 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.

Aston University, Birmingham

Manchester Metropolitan University

Also taught at both: Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Mathematics, Linguistics, Mechanical Engineering, Software Engineering, Accounting, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Computer Science, Human Resource Management, Biomedical Engineering, Building & Construction, General Engineering, English Language, Adult Nursing, Business Information Systems, Management, Technology & Logistics, Clinical & Health Psychology, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Mental Health Nursing, Public Health & Epidemiology, Social Sciences (General), Biological Sciences (General), Health & Social Care.

Only at Aston University, Birmingham

Only at Manchester Metropolitan University

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

Aston University, Birmingham
£22,580
Manchester Metropolitan University
£21,500

Manchester Metropolitan University is about £1,080 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Aston University, Birmingham
£24,000
Manchester Metropolitan University
£21,000

Manchester Metropolitan University is about £3,000 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.

Aston University, Birmingham

Manchester Metropolitan University

  • Business Studies

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    82%Satisfaction85%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    81%Satisfaction88%

  • Psychology (General)

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£20,500
    92%Satisfaction88%

  • English Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    87%Satisfaction92%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    89%Satisfaction90%

  • Law

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£19,500
    89%Satisfaction92%

  • Marketing

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    79%Satisfaction87%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£28,500
    90%Satisfaction85%

  • History

    No dataSalary (3 years)£21,000
    95%Satisfaction87%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    64%Satisfaction83%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    85%Satisfaction90%

  • Economics

    £35,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    95%Satisfaction79%

Showing the 12 largest of 24 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Aston University, Birmingham

View all scholarships →

Manchester Metropolitan University

Allan and Nesta Ferguson Charitable Trust Scholarships

100%

Deadline: May 2026

Doctoral Landscape Awards

100%

Deadline: N/A

Fulbright Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Aston University, Birmingham vs Manchester Metropolitan University: common questions

Is Aston University, Birmingham or Manchester Metropolitan University cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £21,500 at Manchester Metropolitan University: Manchester Metropolitan University is about £1,080 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,000 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £21,000 at Manchester Metropolitan University: Manchester Metropolitan University is about £3,000 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 Aston University, Birmingham and Manchester Metropolitan University?

Both universities teach 39 subject areas: Design & Fashion, Business Studies, Politics & International Relations, Psychology (General), Business & Management (General), English Studies, Sociology & Criminology, Law, Marketing, Media & Film Studies, Biomedical Sciences, History and 27 more.

Is Aston University, Birmingham or Manchester Metropolitan University better for Business Studies?

Business Studies graduates earn a median £30,500 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, and £23,000 from Manchester Metropolitan University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 82% at Aston University, Birmingham and 85% at Manchester Metropolitan University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Aston University, Birmingham or Manchester Metropolitan University offer more courses?

Manchester Metropolitan University lists 393 courses on CourseOptions and Aston University, Birmingham lists 169 courses.

What can you study at Aston University, Birmingham but not at Manchester Metropolitan University?

Aston University, Birmingham teaches 12 subject areas that Manchester Metropolitan University does not, including Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Information Systems & Data Science, Aerospace Engineering, Biochemistry, Personal & Professional Development, Biotechnology, Healthcare Science and 4 more.

What can you study at Manchester Metropolitan University but not at Aston University, Birmingham?

Manchester Metropolitan University teaches 39 subject areas that Aston University, Birmingham does not, including Sport & Exercise Sciences, Teacher Training, Chemistry, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Biology, Education Studies, Film Production & Cinematography, Games Design & Computer Animation and 31 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

A
Aston University, Birmingham169 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
M
Manchester Metropolitan University393 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses