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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
Bournemouth University

Poole · QS World #801

U
University of Manchester

Manchester · QS World #40

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 11 datapoints

We looked at 11 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

1/11

Bournemouth

scored higher in 1 category

VS

10/11

Manchester

scored higher in 10 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Manchester leads in 10 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Bournemouth University is ahead on employment.

Bournemouth University vs University of Manchester at a glance

Bournemouth University and University of Manchester both teach 51 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Management and Law. Bournemouth University offers 225 courses across 59 subject areas; University of Manchester offers 1,041 courses across 116 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,690 a year at Bournemouth University and £32,300 at University of Manchester: Bournemouth University is about £11,610 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,690 a year at Bournemouth University and £26,800 at University of Manchester: Bournemouth University is about £7,110 a year cheaper.

Of the 25 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Manchester is higher in 16 and Bournemouth University in 4, with 5 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £30,500 three years after graduating from Bournemouth 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 17 and Bournemouth University in 6.

World & National Rankings

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

#801
QS World
#40
#401
THE World
#56
#59
Guardian UK
#29
1992
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.

Bournemouth University

University of Manchester

80.8%
85.1%

Satisfaction

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

£33,600
£36,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

86.4%
80%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16.4%
40%

International

International student share

225
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.

Bournemouth

73 countries · 16.4% international

  • 🇮🇳India27.9%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria13.8%
  • 🇨🇳China10.5%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia6.5%
  • 🇹🇷Turkey5.6%
VS

Manchester

120 countries · 40% international

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

Subjects

51 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.

Bournemouth University

University of Manchester

Also taught at both: Healthcare Science, Psychology (General), Anthropology, Finance & Actuarial Science, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Accounting, Applied Computing, Biological Sciences (General), Geography (General), Music, Social Work, Childhood & Youth Studies, Business Information Systems, Human Geography & Environment, Applied Biology & Human Biology, Applied Psychology, Creative Writing, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Forensic Science, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Mental Health Nursing, Midwifery, Software Engineering, Teacher Training, Archaeology, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Ecology & Conservation, Adult Nursing, General Engineering, Health & Social Care, Children's Nursing, Computing & IT, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Humanities, Nutrition & Dietetics, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning.

Only at Bournemouth 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

Bournemouth University
£20,690
University of Manchester
£32,300

Bournemouth University is about £11,610 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Bournemouth University
£19,690
University of Manchester
£26,800

Bournemouth University is about £7,110 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.

Bournemouth University

University of Manchester

  • Law

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    85%Satisfaction89%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    61%Satisfaction88%

  • Economics

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    78%Satisfaction85%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    83%Satisfaction84%

  • History

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    93%Satisfaction91%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)No data
    76%Satisfaction93%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    85%Satisfaction86%

  • Computer Science

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£44,000
    73%Satisfaction82%

  • Environmental Sciences

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    84%Satisfaction90%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£31,500
    80%Satisfaction77%

  • Design & Fashion

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    80%Satisfaction88%

  • Psychology (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    77%Satisfaction84%

Showing the 12 largest of 26 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Bournemouth University

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

Bournemouth University vs University of Manchester: common questions

Is Bournemouth University or University of Manchester cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,690 a year at Bournemouth University and £32,300 at University of Manchester: Bournemouth University is about £11,610 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,690 a year at Bournemouth University and £26,800 at University of Manchester: Bournemouth University is about £7,110 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 Bournemouth University and University of Manchester?

Both universities teach 51 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Management, Law, Business & Management (General), Economics, Sociology & Criminology, History, Nursing (General), Media & Film Studies, Biomedical Sciences, Computer Science, Marketing and 39 more.

Is Bournemouth University or University of Manchester better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £26,000 three years after graduating from Bournemouth University, and £24,000 from University of Manchester. Student satisfaction with teaching is 85% at Bournemouth University and 89% at University of Manchester. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Bournemouth University or University of Manchester offer more courses?

University of Manchester lists 1,041 courses on CourseOptions and Bournemouth University lists 225 courses.

What can you study at Bournemouth University but not at University of Manchester?

Bournemouth University teaches 8 subject areas that University of Manchester does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Film Production & Cinematography, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Games Design & Computer Animation, Journalism, Medical Imaging, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation and Social Sciences (General).

What can you study at University of Manchester but not at Bournemouth University?

University of Manchester teaches 65 subject areas that Bournemouth University does not, including Physics, Chemical Engineering, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Dentistry, Chemistry, Mathematics, Civil Engineering and 57 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

B
Bournemouth University225 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Manchester1,041 courses · 6 scholarshipsBrowse Courses