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.
Durham · QS World #85
Manchester · QS World #600
Head-to-Head Summary
Based on 12 datapoints
We looked at 12 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.
9/12
Durham
scored higher in 9 categories
3/12
Manchester Metropolitan
scored higher in 3 categories
Quick Verdict
Durham University leads in 9 of 12 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, scholarship). Manchester Metropolitan University is ahead on TEF, employment, courses.
Durham University vs Manchester Metropolitan University at a glance
Durham University and Manchester Metropolitan University both teach 36 subject areas, the largest being Business Studies, Law and Politics & International Relations. Durham University offers 278 courses across 54 subject areas; Manchester Metropolitan University offers 393 courses across 78 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,000 a year at Durham University and £21,500 at Manchester Metropolitan University: Manchester Metropolitan University is about £9,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,500 a year at Durham University and £21,000 at Manchester Metropolitan University: Manchester Metropolitan University is about £9,500 a year cheaper.
Of the 19 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Durham University is higher in 17 and Manchester Metropolitan University in 1, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Accounting: £44,000 three years after graduating from Durham University, against £23,000 from Manchester Metropolitan University. Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Durham University is higher in 10 and Manchester Metropolitan University in 9, 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.
Durham 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.
Durham
86 countries · 32.6% international
- 🇨🇳China49.5%
- 🇭🇰Hong Kong7.4%
- 🇮🇳India5.9%
- 🇺🇸United States4.9%
- 🇸🇬Singapore2.6%
Manchester Metropolitan
90 countries · 9.3% international
- 🇮🇳India21.7%
- 🇨🇳China10.8%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan7.1%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria7%
- 🌐Kuwait5.8%
Subjects
36 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.
Durham University
Manchester Metropolitan University
Business Studies
11 coursesTypical fee £31,000 (UG)
14 coursesTypical fee £20,000 (UG)
Law
13 coursesTypical fee £29,250 (UG)
10 coursesTypical fee £20,000 (UG)
Politics & International Relations
12 coursesTypical fee £28,000 (UG)
11 coursesTypical fee £20,000 (UG)
Psychology (General)
12 coursesTypical fee £34,000 (UG)
10 coursesTypical fee £21,500 (UG)
Sport & Exercise Sciences
3 coursesTypical fee £30,500 (UG)
17 coursesTypical fee £21,500 (UG)
Chemistry
Computer Science
13 coursesTypical fee £35,000 (UG)
4 coursesTypical fee £21,500 (UG)
Economics
14 coursesTypical fee £31,000 (UG)
3 coursesTypical fee £20,000 (UG)
Sociology & Criminology
English Studies
4 coursesTypical fee £28,500 (UG)
12 coursesTypical fee £20,000 (UG)
Education Studies
General Engineering
13 coursesTypical fee £34,000 (UG)
1 courseTypical fee £22,000 (PG)
Teacher Training
2 coursesTypical fee £27,250 (UG)
12 coursesTypical fee £20,000 (UG)
Accounting
Biology
Also taught at both: Business & Management (General), Finance & Actuarial Science, History, Mathematics, Philosophy, Management, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Human Geography & Environment, Ancient Languages, Marketing, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Music, Mechanical Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biomedical Engineering, Childhood & Youth Studies, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Physical Geography & Climate, Social Sciences (General), English Language, Manufacturing & Production Engineering.
Only at Durham 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
- Durham University
- £31,000
- Manchester Metropolitan University
- £21,500
Manchester Metropolitan University is about £9,500 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Durham University
- £30,500
- Manchester Metropolitan University
- £21,000
Manchester Metropolitan University is about £9,500 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.
Durham University
Manchester Metropolitan University
Business Studies
£41,000Salary (3 years)£23,00083%Satisfaction85%Law
£36,000Salary (3 years)£19,50090%Satisfaction92%Politics & International Relations
£34,000Salary (3 years)£21,00088%Satisfaction88%Psychology (General)
£29,000Salary (3 years)£20,50091%Satisfaction88%Sport & Exercise Sciences
£25,000Salary (3 years)£31,50092%Satisfaction85%Chemistry
£34,000Salary (3 years)£23,50096%Satisfaction86%Computer Science
£40,000Salary (3 years)£26,50087%Satisfaction84%Economics
£42,000Salary (3 years)£24,50090%Satisfaction79%Sociology & Criminology
£26,500Salary (3 years)£21,00089%Satisfaction90%English Studies
No dataSalary (3 years)£20,00098%Satisfaction92%Education Studies
£26,500Salary (3 years)£22,50086%Satisfaction91%Teacher Training
£26,500Salary (3 years)£26,50078%Satisfaction93%
Showing the 12 largest of 20 shared subjects with published outcomes.
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveDurham University
Sir Harry Evans Global Fellowship
£53,333
Deadline: N/A
Durham Inspiring Excellence Scholarships - Undergraduate
£30,000
Deadline: N/A
The Global DBA Scholarships
£25,000
Deadline: Nov 2026
The Mary Ward Postgraduate Scholarship Fund
£25,000
Deadline: N/A
Global Grand Challenges Studentships
£20,780
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
Durham University vs Manchester Metropolitan University: common questions
Is Durham University or Manchester Metropolitan University cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,000 a year at Durham University and £21,500 at Manchester Metropolitan University: Manchester Metropolitan University is about £9,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,500 a year at Durham University and £21,000 at Manchester Metropolitan University: Manchester Metropolitan University is about £9,500 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 Durham University and Manchester Metropolitan University?
Both universities teach 36 subject areas: Business Studies, Law, Politics & International Relations, Psychology (General), Sport & Exercise Sciences, Chemistry, Computer Science, Economics, Sociology & Criminology, English Studies, Education Studies, General Engineering and 24 more.
Is Durham University or Manchester Metropolitan University better for Business Studies?
Business Studies graduates earn a median £41,000 three years after graduating from Durham University, and £23,000 from Manchester Metropolitan University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 83% at Durham University and 85% at Manchester Metropolitan University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Durham University or Manchester Metropolitan University offer more courses?
Manchester Metropolitan University lists 393 courses on CourseOptions and Durham University lists 278 courses.
What can you study at Durham University but not at Manchester Metropolitan University?
Durham University teaches 18 subject areas that Manchester Metropolitan University does not, including Theology & Religious Studies, Archaeology, Anthropology, Classical Studies, Geology & Earth Sciences, Natural Sciences, Physics, Asian Languages & Studies and 10 more.
What can you study at Manchester Metropolitan University but not at Durham University?
Manchester Metropolitan University teaches 42 subject areas that Durham University does not, including Design & Fashion, Media & Film Studies, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Film Production & Cinematography, Games Design & Computer Animation, Anatomy & Pathology, Biomedical Sciences, French and 34 more.
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