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.
Birmingham · QS World #1001
Manchester · QS World #600
Head-to-Head Summary
Based on 3 datapoints
We looked at 3 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.
1/3
Birmingham City
scored higher in 1 category
2/3
Manchester Metropolitan
scored higher in 2 categories
Quick Verdict
Manchester Metropolitan University leads in 2 of 3 categories where both have data (ranking, courses). Birmingham City University is ahead on scholarship.
Birmingham City University vs Manchester Metropolitan University at a glance
Birmingham City University and Manchester Metropolitan University both teach 53 subject areas, the largest being Design & Fashion, Childhood & Youth Studies and Sport & Exercise Sciences. Birmingham City University offers 284 courses across 68 subject areas; Manchester Metropolitan University offers 393 courses across 78 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,570 a year at Birmingham City University and £21,500 at Manchester Metropolitan University: Birmingham City University is about £2,930 a year cheaper.
Of the 36 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Birmingham City University is higher in 20 and Manchester Metropolitan University in 11, with 5 about level. The widest gap is in Social Work: £31,500 three years after graduating from Birmingham City University, against £22,500 from Manchester Metropolitan University. Of the 36 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Manchester Metropolitan University is higher in 17 and Birmingham City University in 16, with 3 about level.
World & National Rankings
Compare world and national league table positions, TEF ratings, and Russell Group membership.
Visual Breakdown
Key metrics at a glance
Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.
Birmingham City University
Manchester Metropolitan University
Satisfaction
Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)
Graduate Salaries (5y)
Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation
Employment
Graduate employment rate
International
International student share
Course Counts
Number of courses offered
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.
Birmingham City
No published data on international students
Manchester Metropolitan
90 countries · 9.3% international
- 🇮🇳India21.7%
- 🇨🇳China10.8%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan7.1%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria7%
- 🌐Kuwait5.8%
Subjects
53 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.
Birmingham City University
Manchester Metropolitan University
Design & Fashion
17 coursesTypical fee £18,570 (UG)
42 coursesTypical fee £21,500 (UG)
Childhood & Youth Studies
28 coursesTypical fee £18,570 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £21,000 (PG)
Sport & Exercise Sciences
6 coursesTypical fee £18,570 (UG)
17 coursesTypical fee £21,500 (UG)
Business Studies
7 coursesTypical fee £18,570 (UG)
14 coursesTypical fee £20,000 (UG)
Law
8 coursesTypical fee £18,570 (UG)
10 coursesTypical fee £20,000 (UG)
Media & Film Studies
7 coursesTypical fee £18,570 (UG)
11 coursesTypical fee £20,000 (UG)
Business & Management (General)
6 coursesTypical fee £18,570 (UG)
11 coursesTypical fee £20,000 (UG)
Marketing
11 coursesTypical fee £18,570 (UG)
6 coursesTypical fee £20,000 (UG)
Film Production & Cinematography
Games Design & Computer Animation
Sociology & Criminology
Computer Science
11 coursesTypical fee £18,570 (UG)
4 coursesTypical fee £21,500 (UG)
Teacher Training
3 coursesTypical fee £18,570 (UG)
12 coursesTypical fee £20,000 (UG)
English Studies
2 coursesTypical fee £18,570 (UG)
12 coursesTypical fee £20,000 (UG)
Psychology (General)
4 coursesTypical fee £18,570 (UG)
10 coursesTypical fee £21,500 (UG)
Also taught at both: Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Politics & International Relations, Education Studies, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Accounting, Architecture, Biomedical Sciences, Building & Construction, Finance & Actuarial Science, Software Engineering, Fine Art, Journalism, Health & Social Care, Music, Social Work, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Business Information Systems, Creative Writing, Drama & Theatre, Human Resource Management, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Adult Nursing, Crafts & Applied Arts, Economics, Management, Mental Health Nursing, Nutrition & Dietetics, Technology & Logistics, Applied Psychology, Landscape Architecture & Design, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Developmental & Educational Psychology, English Language, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Microbiology & Cell Biology.
Only at Birmingham City University
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
- Birmingham City University
- £18,570
- Manchester Metropolitan University
- £21,500
Birmingham City University is about £2,930 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Birmingham City University
- No data
- Manchester Metropolitan University
- £21,000
We do not have reliable international fee data for Birmingham City 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.
Birmingham City University
Manchester Metropolitan University
Design & Fashion
£20,000Salary (3 years)£19,50092%Satisfaction87%Sport & Exercise Sciences
No dataSalary (3 years)£31,50090%Satisfaction85%Business Studies
£22,500Salary (3 years)£23,00085%Satisfaction85%Law
£20,000Salary (3 years)£19,50080%Satisfaction92%Media & Film Studies
£21,500Salary (3 years)£19,50087%Satisfaction91%Business & Management (General)
£23,000Salary (3 years)£22,50083%Satisfaction88%Marketing
£23,500Salary (3 years)£23,00092%Satisfaction87%Film Production & Cinematography
£18,500Salary (3 years)£18,50086%Satisfaction85%Games Design & Computer Animation
£23,000Salary (3 years)£21,00094%Satisfaction91%Sociology & Criminology
£22,000Salary (3 years)£21,00089%Satisfaction90%Computer Science
£23,500Salary (3 years)£26,50078%Satisfaction84%Teacher Training
£26,500Salary (3 years)£26,50084%Satisfaction93%
Showing the 12 largest of 38 shared subjects with published outcomes.
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveBirmingham City University
Henderson Bursaries and Scholarships 2026
£10,000
Deadline: N/A
Henderson Bursaries and Scholarships 2026
£10,000
Deadline: N/A
Millennium Point Scholarship
100%
Deadline: N/A
Scott Trust Bursary
£7,415
Deadline: N/A
Santander Scholarship
£2,000
Deadline: N/A
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
FAQ
Birmingham City University vs Manchester Metropolitan University: common questions
Is Birmingham City University or Manchester Metropolitan University cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,570 a year at Birmingham City University and £21,500 at Manchester Metropolitan University: Birmingham City University is about £2,930 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 Birmingham City University and Manchester Metropolitan University?
Both universities teach 53 subject areas: Design & Fashion, Childhood & Youth Studies, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Business Studies, Law, Media & Film Studies, Business & Management (General), Marketing, Film Production & Cinematography, Games Design & Computer Animation, Sociology & Criminology, Computer Science and 41 more.
Is Birmingham City University or Manchester Metropolitan University better for Design & Fashion?
Design & Fashion graduates earn a median £20,000 three years after graduating from Birmingham City University, and £19,500 from Manchester Metropolitan University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 92% at Birmingham City University and 87% at Manchester Metropolitan University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Birmingham City University or Manchester Metropolitan University offer more courses?
Manchester Metropolitan University lists 393 courses on CourseOptions and Birmingham City University lists 284 courses.
What can you study at Birmingham City University but not at Manchester Metropolitan University?
Birmingham City University teaches 15 subject areas that Manchester Metropolitan University does not, including Nursing (General), Civil Engineering, Community & Specialist Nursing, Information Systems & Data Science, Applied Biology & Human Biology, Clinical Specialities, Midwifery, Minerals & Mining Technology and 7 more.
What can you study at Manchester Metropolitan University but not at Birmingham City University?
Manchester Metropolitan University teaches 25 subject areas that Birmingham City University does not, including Chemistry, Biology, Anatomy & Pathology, History, French, Linguistics, Philosophy, Spanish & Portuguese and 17 more.
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