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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.

B
Bath Spa University

Bath · Guardian UK #104

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.

3/9

Bath Spa

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

6/9

Manchester

scored higher in 6 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Manchester leads in 6 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, international, graduate salary, courses). Bath Spa University is ahead on satisfaction, employment, scholarship.

Bath Spa University vs University of Manchester at a glance

Bath Spa University and University of Manchester both teach 36 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Sociology & Criminology and Design & Fashion. Bath Spa University offers 249 courses across 45 subject areas; University of Manchester offers 1,041 courses across 116 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,330 a year at Bath Spa University and £32,300 at University of Manchester: Bath Spa University is about £13,970 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,760 a year at Bath Spa University and £26,800 at University of Manchester: Bath Spa University is about £8,040 a year cheaper.

Of the 18 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Manchester is higher in 17 and Bath Spa University in 0, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Economics: £21,000 three years after graduating from Bath Spa University, against £32,500 from University of Manchester. Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Manchester is higher in 12 and Bath Spa University in 6, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
#40
—
THE World
#56
#104
Guardian UK
#29
1898
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.

Bath Spa University

University of Manchester

86.2%
85.1%

Satisfaction

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

£27,000
£36,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

85%
80%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

2.7%
40%

International

International student share

249
1041

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

20
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.

Bath Spa

40 countries · 2.7% international

  • 🇷🇴Romania25.3%
  • 🇮🇳India17.7%
  • 🇨🇳China9.5%
  • 🌐Bulgaria5.7%
  • 🇺🇸United States3.8%
VS

Manchester

120 countries · 40% international

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

Subjects

36 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.

Bath Spa University

University of Manchester

Also taught at both: Environmental Sciences, Music, Childhood & Youth Studies, Drama & Theatre, Psychology (General), Architecture, Geography (General), Marketing, Teacher Training, Accounting, Applied Psychology, Nutrition & Dietetics, Philosophy, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Ecology & Conservation, Forensic Science, Human Resource Management, Physical Geography & Climate, Software Engineering, Applied Computing.

Only at Bath Spa 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

Bath Spa University
£18,330
University of Manchester
£32,300

Bath Spa University is about £13,970 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Bath Spa University
£18,760
University of Manchester
£26,800

Bath Spa University is about £8,040 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.

Bath Spa University

University of Manchester

  • Politics & International Relations

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    81%Satisfaction88%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    84%Satisfaction84%

  • Design & Fashion

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    84%Satisfaction88%

  • Economics

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    82%Satisfaction85%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £20,000Salary (3 years)No data
    89%Satisfaction93%

  • History

    £22,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    99%Satisfaction91%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    86%Satisfaction88%

  • Law

    No dataSalary (3 years)£24,000
    90%Satisfaction89%

  • Education Studies

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    85%Satisfaction92%

  • Biology

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    96%Satisfaction91%

  • Business Studies

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    85%Satisfaction92%

  • English Literature

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    86%Satisfaction90%

Showing the 12 largest of 21 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Bath Spa University

Explore It! Launch It! Grow It!

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

International Recruitment Office Scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

MyWorld Scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

Global Horizons Award

£3,500

Deadline: N/A

Postgraduate Alumni Scholarship

£2,000

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

Bath Spa University vs University of Manchester: common questions

Is Bath Spa University or University of Manchester cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,330 a year at Bath Spa University and £32,300 at University of Manchester: Bath Spa University is about £13,970 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,760 a year at Bath Spa University and £26,800 at University of Manchester: Bath Spa University is about £8,040 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 Bath Spa University and University of Manchester?

Both universities teach 36 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Sociology & Criminology, Design & Fashion, Economics, Media & Film Studies, History, Business & Management (General), Law, Education Studies, Biology, Business Studies, English Literature and 24 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £21,000 three years after graduating from Bath Spa University, and £26,500 from University of Manchester. Student satisfaction with teaching is 81% at Bath Spa University and 88% at University of Manchester. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Bath Spa University or University of Manchester offer more courses?

University of Manchester lists 1,041 courses on CourseOptions and Bath Spa University lists 249 courses.

What can you study at Bath Spa University but not at University of Manchester?

Bath Spa University teaches 9 subject areas that University of Manchester does not, including Film Production & Cinematography, Fine Art, Dance, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Creative Arts (General), Games Design & Computer Animation, Journalism, Heritage & Conservation and 1 more.

What can you study at University of Manchester but not at Bath Spa University?

University of Manchester teaches 80 subject areas that Bath Spa University does not, including Physics, Chemical Engineering, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Dentistry, Management, Chemistry, Mathematics and 72 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

B
Bath Spa University249 courses · 20 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Manchester1,041 courses · 6 scholarshipsBrowse Courses