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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
Birmingham City University

Birmingham · QS World #1001

U
University of Manchester

Manchester · QS World #40

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 4 datapoints

We looked at 4 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

1/4

Birmingham City

scored higher in 1 category

VS

3/4

Manchester

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Manchester leads in 3 of 4 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, courses). Birmingham City University is ahead on scholarship.

Birmingham City University vs University of Manchester at a glance

Birmingham City University and University of Manchester both teach 52 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Childhood & Youth Studies and Microbiology & Cell Biology. Birmingham City University offers 284 courses across 68 subject areas; University of Manchester offers 1,041 courses across 116 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,570 a year at Birmingham City University and £32,300 at University of Manchester: Birmingham City University is about £13,730 a year cheaper.

Of the 26 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Manchester is higher in 23 and Birmingham City University in 3. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £23,500 three years after graduating from Birmingham City University, against £44,000 from University of Manchester. Of the 23 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Manchester is higher in 12 and Birmingham City University in 10, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#1001
QS World
#40
—
THE World
#56
—
Guardian UK
#29
N/A
Established
1824
No
Russell Group
Yes
—
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Birmingham City University

University of Manchester

No data
85.1%

Satisfaction

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

No data
£36,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

No data
80%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

No data
40%

International

International student share

284
1041

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

10
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.

Birmingham City

No published data on international students

    VS

    Manchester

    120 countries · 40% international

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

    Subjects

    52 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

    University of Manchester

    Also taught at both: Clinical Specialities, Media & Film Studies, Business Studies, Computer Science, Finance & Actuarial Science, Information Systems & Data Science, Education Studies, Marketing, Architecture, English Literature, Accounting, Mechanical Engineering, Music, Psychology (General), Health & Social Care, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Social Work, Teacher Training, Software Engineering, Applied Biology & Human Biology, Applied Psychology, Creative Writing, Drama & Theatre, Midwifery, Business Information Systems, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Mental Health Nursing, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, English Studies, Human Resource Management, Astronomy & Astrophysics, English Language, Nutrition & Dietetics, Adult Nursing, Children's Nursing, Counselling & Psychotherapy.

    Only at Birmingham City 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

    Birmingham City University
    £18,570
    University of Manchester
    £32,300

    Birmingham City University is about £13,730 a year cheaper.

    Postgraduate

    Birmingham City University
    No data
    University of Manchester
    £26,800

    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

    University of Manchester

    • Nursing (General)

      £29,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
      91%SatisfactionNo data

    • Sociology & Criminology

      £22,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
      89%Satisfaction84%

    • Civil Engineering

      £23,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
      92%Satisfaction77%

    • Economics

      £24,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
      77%Satisfaction85%

    • Design & Fashion

      £20,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
      92%Satisfaction88%

    • Law

      £20,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
      80%Satisfaction89%

    • Business & Management (General)

      £23,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
      83%Satisfaction88%

    • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

      £23,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
      81%Satisfaction86%

    • Biomedical Sciences

      £31,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
      86%Satisfaction86%

    • Media & Film Studies

      £21,500Salary (3 years)No data
      87%Satisfaction93%

    • Business Studies

      £22,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
      85%Satisfaction92%

    • Computer Science

      £23,500Salary (3 years)£44,000
      78%Satisfaction82%

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

    Scholarships for International Students

    Exclusive

    Birmingham 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

    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

    Birmingham City University vs University of Manchester: common questions

    Is Birmingham City University or University of Manchester cheaper for international students?

    For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,570 a year at Birmingham City University and £32,300 at University of Manchester: Birmingham City University is about £13,730 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 University of Manchester?

    Both universities teach 52 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Childhood & Youth Studies, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Nursing (General), Biochemistry, Sociology & Criminology, Civil Engineering, Economics, Management, Design & Fashion, Law, Mathematics and 40 more.

    Is Birmingham City University or University of Manchester better for Nursing (General)?

    Nursing (General) graduates earn a median £29,500 three years after graduating from Birmingham City University, and £29,000 from University of Manchester. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

    Does Birmingham City University or University of Manchester offer more courses?

    University of Manchester lists 1,041 courses on CourseOptions and Birmingham City University lists 284 courses.

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

    Birmingham City University teaches 16 subject areas that University of Manchester does not, including Building & Construction, Film Production & Cinematography, Games Design & Computer Animation, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Fine Art, Journalism, Community & Specialist Nursing, Crafts & Applied Arts and 8 more.

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

    University of Manchester teaches 64 subject areas that Birmingham City University does not, including Physics, Chemical Engineering, Dentistry, Chemistry, Materials Science, Public Health & Epidemiology, History, Statistics and 56 more.

    Ready to explore courses?

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

    B
    Birmingham City University284 courses · 10 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
    U
    University of Manchester1,041 courses · 6 scholarshipsBrowse Courses