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.
Bristol · QS World #761
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.
3/11
Bristol
scored higher in 3 categories
8/11
Manchester
scored higher in 8 categories
Quick Verdict
University of Manchester leads in 8 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, international, graduate salary, courses). Bristol, UWE is ahead on satisfaction, employment, scholarship.
Bristol, UWE vs University of Manchester at a glance
Bristol, UWE and University of Manchester both teach 58 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Business & Management (General) and Sociology & Criminology. Bristol, UWE offers 257 courses across 72 subject areas; University of Manchester offers 1,041 courses across 116 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £15,750 a year at Bristol, UWE and £32,300 at University of Manchester: Bristol, UWE is about £16,550 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,250 a year at Bristol, UWE and £26,800 at University of Manchester: Bristol, UWE is about £10,550 a year cheaper.
Of the 36 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Manchester is higher in 30 and Bristol, UWE in 5, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £32,000 three years after graduating from Bristol, UWE, against £44,000 from University of Manchester. Of the 33 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Bristol, UWE is higher in 18 and University of Manchester in 14, with 1 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.
Bristol, UWE
University of Manchester
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.
Bristol
107 countries · 24.8% international
- 🇮🇳India14%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan9.6%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria9.3%
- 🇧🇩Bangladesh4.5%
- 🇨🇳China4.5%
Manchester
120 countries · 40% international
- 🇨🇳China51%
- 🇮🇳India7.6%
- 🇲🇾Malaysia4.9%
- 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.1%
- 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.5%
Subjects
58 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.
Bristol, UWE
University of Manchester
Politics & International Relations
2 coursesTypical fee £15,750 (UG)
39 coursesTypical fee £27,800 (UG)
Business & Management (General)
21 coursesTypical fee £15,750 (UG)
16 coursesTypical fee £27,800 (UG)
Sociology & Criminology
14 coursesTypical fee £15,750 (UG)
21 coursesTypical fee £27,800 (UG)
Microbiology & Cell Biology
2 coursesTypical fee £16,250 (PG)
31 coursesTypical fee £36,200 (UG)
Management
5 coursesTypical fee £16,250 (PG)
25 coursesTypical fee £33,100 (UG)
Economics
3 coursesTypical fee £15,750 (UG)
25 coursesTypical fee £32,050 (UG)
Mathematics
3 coursesTypical fee £17,250 (UG)
24 coursesTypical fee £36,300 (UG)
Civil Engineering
5 coursesTypical fee £17,250 (UG)
21 coursesTypical fee £35,700 (UG)
Design & Fashion
18 coursesTypical fee £15,750 (UG)
8 coursesTypical fee £39,900 (UG)
Law
7 coursesTypical fee £15,750 (UG)
17 coursesTypical fee £28,400 (UG)
Biomedical Sciences
6 coursesTypical fee £17,250 (UG)
14 coursesTypical fee £36,200 (UG)
Electronic & Electrical Engineering
3 coursesTypical fee £17,250 (UG)
17 coursesTypical fee £35,700 (UG)
Public Health & Epidemiology
1 courseTypical fee £17,250 (PG)
19 coursesTypical fee £12,600 (PG)
History
1 courseTypical fee £15,750 (UG)
18 coursesTypical fee £27,800 (UG)
Architecture
Also taught at both: Biology, Planning & Housing, Business Studies, Education Studies, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Healthcare Science, Information Systems & Data Science, Media & Film Studies, Psychology (General), Accounting, English Literature, Mechanical Engineering, Biological Sciences (General), Computer Science, Ecology & Conservation, Human Geography & Environment, Childhood & Youth Studies, Optometry & Ophthalmics, Health & Social Care, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Marketing, Philosophy, Social Work, Teacher Training, Business Information Systems, Computing & IT, Creative Writing, Drama & Theatre, Forensic Science, Midwifery, Software Engineering, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Mental Health Nursing, Physical Geography & Climate, English Language, Human Resource Management, Adult Nursing, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Children's Nursing, General Engineering, Personal & Professional Development.
Only at Bristol, UWE
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
- Bristol, UWE
- £15,750
- University of Manchester
- £32,300
Bristol, UWE is about £16,550 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Bristol, UWE
- £16,250
- University of Manchester
- £26,800
Bristol, UWE is about £10,550 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.
Bristol, UWE
University of Manchester
Politics & International Relations
£23,500Salary (3 years)£26,50089%Satisfaction88%Business & Management (General)
£27,500Salary (3 years)£29,00084%Satisfaction88%Sociology & Criminology
£22,000Salary (3 years)£23,50087%Satisfaction84%Economics
£29,000Salary (3 years)£32,50092%Satisfaction85%Mathematics
£28,500Salary (3 years)£31,00090%Satisfaction83%Civil Engineering
£29,500Salary (3 years)£30,50075%Satisfaction77%Design & Fashion
£21,000Salary (3 years)£21,00082%Satisfaction88%Law
£23,000Salary (3 years)£24,00089%Satisfaction89%Biomedical Sciences
£30,500Salary (3 years)£28,00084%Satisfaction86%Electronic & Electrical Engineering
£31,000Salary (3 years)£33,50091%Satisfaction86%History
£22,500Salary (3 years)£26,00095%Satisfaction91%Planning & Housing
£30,500Salary (3 years)£27,00091%Satisfaction81%
Showing the 12 largest of 37 shared subjects with published outcomes.
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveBristol, UWE
College of Health, Science and Society Dean's Scholarship
100%
Deadline: N/A
UWE Bristol Global Success Scholarship
£9,000
Deadline: N/A
Avon and Somerset Police Widening Participation Bursary
£5,760
Deadline: N/A
Certificate in Counselling Skills Scholarship
50%
Deadline: N/A
College of Health, Science and Society MSc Scholarship
50%
Deadline: N/A
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
FAQ
Bristol, UWE vs University of Manchester: common questions
Is Bristol, UWE or University of Manchester cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £15,750 a year at Bristol, UWE and £32,300 at University of Manchester: Bristol, UWE is about £16,550 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,250 a year at Bristol, UWE and £26,800 at University of Manchester: Bristol, UWE is about £10,550 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 Bristol, UWE and University of Manchester?
Both universities teach 58 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Business & Management (General), Sociology & Criminology, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Management, Economics, Mathematics, Civil Engineering, Design & Fashion, Law, Biomedical Sciences, Electronic & Electrical Engineering and 46 more.
Is Bristol, UWE or University of Manchester better for Politics & International Relations?
Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £23,500 three years after graduating from Bristol, UWE, and £26,500 from University of Manchester. Student satisfaction with teaching is 89% at Bristol, UWE and 88% at University of Manchester. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Bristol, UWE or University of Manchester offer more courses?
University of Manchester lists 1,041 courses on CourseOptions and Bristol, UWE lists 257 courses.
What can you study at Bristol, UWE but not at University of Manchester?
Bristol, UWE teaches 14 subject areas that University of Manchester does not, including Film Production & Cinematography, Building & Construction, Fine Art, Games Design & Computer Animation, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Journalism, Medical Imaging, Technology & Logistics and 6 more.
What can you study at University of Manchester but not at Bristol, UWE?
University of Manchester teaches 58 subject areas that Bristol, UWE does not, including Physics, Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry, Dentistry, Chemistry, Materials Science, Statistics, Medicine and 50 more.
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