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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.

C
Cardiff Metropolitan University

Cardiff · THE World #1001

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.

1/9

Cardiff Metropolitan

scored higher in 1 category

VS

8/9

Manchester

scored higher in 8 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Manchester leads in 8 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Cardiff Metropolitan University is ahead on employment.

Cardiff Metropolitan University vs University of Manchester at a glance

Cardiff Metropolitan University and University of Manchester both teach 42 subject areas, the largest being Teacher Training, Politics & International Relations and Microbiology & Cell Biology. Cardiff Metropolitan University offers 321 courses across 52 subject areas; University of Manchester offers 1,041 courses across 116 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,000 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £32,300 at University of Manchester: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £16,300 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,600 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £26,800 at University of Manchester: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £9,200 a year cheaper.

Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Manchester is higher in 20 and Cardiff Metropolitan University in 0. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £26,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff Metropolitan University, against £44,000 from University of Manchester. Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Manchester is higher in 11 and Cardiff Metropolitan University in 10, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
#40
#1001
THE World
#56
—
Guardian UK
#29
1865
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.

Cardiff Metropolitan University

University of Manchester

84.5%
85.1%

Satisfaction

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

£28,200
£36,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83.6%
80%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16.6%
40%

International

International student share

321
1041

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

5
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.

Cardiff Metropolitan

43 countries · 16.6% international

  • 🇮🇳India53.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria6.1%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan5.4%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh4.9%
  • 🌐Nepal4.4%
VS

Manchester

120 countries · 40% international

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

Subjects

42 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.

Cardiff Metropolitan University

University of Manchester

Also taught at both: Information Systems & Data Science, Business Studies, Healthcare Science, Accounting, Childhood & Youth Studies, Computer Science, Finance & Actuarial Science, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Social Work, Biological Sciences (General), Psychology (General), Aerospace Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Architecture, Clinical & Health Psychology, Applied Psychology, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Health & Social Care, Nutrition & Dietetics, Business Information Systems, Software Engineering, Creative Writing, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Computing & IT, Human Resource Management, Personal & Professional Development, Social Policy & Public Policy.

Only at Cardiff Metropolitan 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

Cardiff Metropolitan University
£16,000
University of Manchester
£32,300

Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £16,300 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff Metropolitan University
£17,600
University of Manchester
£26,800

Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £9,200 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.

Cardiff Metropolitan University

University of Manchester

  • Politics & International Relations

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    87%Satisfaction88%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    80%Satisfaction88%

  • Economics

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    88%Satisfaction85%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    87%Satisfaction84%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    89%Satisfaction86%

  • Law

    No dataSalary (3 years)£24,000
    80%Satisfaction89%

  • Public Health & Epidemiology

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
    83%Satisfaction90%

  • Design & Fashion

    £18,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    86%Satisfaction88%

  • Education Studies

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    93%Satisfaction92%

  • English Literature

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    100%Satisfaction90%

  • Media & Film Studies

    No dataSalary (3 years)No data
    84%Satisfaction93%

  • Business Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    80%Satisfaction92%

Showing the 12 largest of 23 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Cardiff Metropolitan University

Care Leavers and Estranged Students Bursary

See details

Deadline: N/A

NHS Wales Bursary Scheme

See details

Deadline: N/A

Progression Award

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Award

See details

Deadline: N/A

Student Carers Bursary

See details

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

Cardiff Metropolitan University vs University of Manchester: common questions

Is Cardiff Metropolitan University or University of Manchester cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,000 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £32,300 at University of Manchester: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £16,300 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,600 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £26,800 at University of Manchester: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £9,200 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 Cardiff Metropolitan University and University of Manchester?

Both universities teach 42 subject areas: Teacher Training, Politics & International Relations, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Business & Management (General), Economics, Management, Sociology & Criminology, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Law, Public Health & Epidemiology, Design & Fashion, Marketing and 30 more.

Is Cardiff Metropolitan University or University of Manchester better for Politics & International Relations?

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £21,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff Metropolitan University, and £26,500 from University of Manchester. Student satisfaction with teaching is 87% at Cardiff Metropolitan University and 88% at University of Manchester. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff Metropolitan University or University of Manchester offer more courses?

University of Manchester lists 1,041 courses on CourseOptions and Cardiff Metropolitan University lists 321 courses.

What can you study at Cardiff Metropolitan University but not at University of Manchester?

Cardiff Metropolitan University teaches 10 subject areas that University of Manchester does not, including Sport & Exercise Sciences, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Film Production & Cinematography, Dance, Food Science, Games Design & Computer Animation, Complementary & Alternative Medicine, Crafts & Applied Arts and 2 more.

What can you study at University of Manchester but not at Cardiff Metropolitan University?

University of Manchester teaches 74 subject areas that Cardiff Metropolitan University does not, including Physics, Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry, Dentistry, Chemistry, Mathematics, Civil Engineering, Materials Science and 66 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

C
Cardiff Metropolitan University321 courses · 5 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Manchester1,041 courses · 6 scholarshipsBrowse Courses