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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

U
University of Manchester

Manchester · QS World #40

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 12 datapoints

We looked at 12 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

4/12

Aston

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

8/12

Manchester

scored higher in 8 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Manchester leads in 8 of 12 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, international, courses, scholarship). Aston University, Birmingham is ahead on TEF, satisfaction, employment, graduate salary.

Aston University, Birmingham vs University of Manchester at a glance

Aston University, Birmingham and University of Manchester both teach 48 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Chemical Engineering and Economics. Aston University, Birmingham offers 169 courses across 51 subject areas; University of Manchester offers 1,041 courses across 116 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £32,300 at University of Manchester: Aston University, Birmingham is about £9,720 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,000 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £26,800 at University of Manchester: Aston University, Birmingham is about £2,800 a year cheaper.

Of the 24 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Aston University, Birmingham is higher in 11 and University of Manchester in 11, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £33,000 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, against £44,000 from University of Manchester. Of the 24 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Aston University, Birmingham is higher in 16 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.

#416
QS World
#40
#401
THE World
#56
#39
Guardian UK
#29
1895
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.

Aston University, Birmingham

University of Manchester

85.2%
85.1%

Satisfaction

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

£37,600
£36,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.5%
80%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.1%
40%

International

International student share

169
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.

Aston

67 countries · 22.1% international

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

Manchester

120 countries · 40% international

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

Subjects

48 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

University of Manchester

Also taught at both: Statistics, Medicine, Information Systems & Data Science, Linguistics, Finance & Actuarial Science, Mechanical Engineering, Psychology (General), Biomedical Engineering, Healthcare Science, Media & Film Studies, Aerospace Engineering, Clinical & Health Psychology, Design & Fashion, Pharmacy, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Accounting, Biological Sciences (General), Biotechnology, Computer Science, Marketing, Optometry & Ophthalmics, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, English Language, General Engineering, Human Resource Management, Software Engineering, Business Information Systems, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Mental Health Nursing, English Studies, Health & Social Care, Personal & Professional Development, Adult Nursing.

Only at Aston University, Birmingham

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

Aston University, Birmingham
£22,580
University of Manchester
£32,300

Aston University, Birmingham is about £9,720 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Aston University, Birmingham
£24,000
University of Manchester
£26,800

Aston University, Birmingham is about £2,800 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

University of Manchester

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    81%Satisfaction88%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£36,000
    87%Satisfaction84%

  • Economics

    £35,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    95%Satisfaction85%

  • Biochemistry

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    92%Satisfaction87%

  • Mathematics

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    94%Satisfaction83%

  • Business Studies

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    82%Satisfaction92%

  • Civil Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    83%Satisfaction77%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    89%Satisfaction84%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    64%Satisfaction86%

  • History

    No dataSalary (3 years)£26,000
    95%Satisfaction91%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    90%Satisfaction86%

  • Law

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    89%Satisfaction89%

Showing the 12 largest of 27 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Aston University, Birmingham

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

Aston University, Birmingham vs University of Manchester: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £32,300 at University of Manchester: Aston University, Birmingham is about £9,720 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,000 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £26,800 at University of Manchester: Aston University, Birmingham is about £2,800 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 University of Manchester?

Both universities teach 48 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Chemical Engineering, Economics, Biochemistry, Mathematics, Business Studies, Management, Civil Engineering, Sociology & Criminology, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, History, Public Health & Epidemiology and 36 more.

Is Aston University, Birmingham or University of Manchester better for Politics & International Relations?

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £27,500 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, and £26,500 from University of Manchester. Student satisfaction with teaching is 81% at Aston University, Birmingham and 88% at University of Manchester. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Manchester lists 1,041 courses on CourseOptions and Aston University, Birmingham lists 169 courses.

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

Aston University, Birmingham teaches 3 subject areas that University of Manchester does not, including Building & Construction, Technology & Logistics and Social Sciences (General).

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

University of Manchester teaches 68 subject areas that Aston University, Birmingham does not, including Physics, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Dentistry, Chemistry, Materials Science, Nursing (General), Anatomy & Pathology, Biology and 60 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
U
University of Manchester1,041 courses · 6 scholarshipsBrowse Courses