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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.

D
Durham University

Durham · QS World #85

U
University of Manchester

Manchester · QS World #40

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 10 datapoints

We looked at 10 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

4/10

Durham

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

6/10

Manchester

scored higher in 6 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Manchester leads in 6 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, established, employment, international, courses). Durham University is ahead on ranking, satisfaction, graduate salary, scholarship.

Durham University vs University of Manchester at a glance

Durham University and University of Manchester both teach 50 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Economics and Physics. Durham University offers 278 courses across 54 subject areas; University of Manchester offers 1,041 courses across 116 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,000 a year at Durham University and £32,300 at University of Manchester: Durham University is about £1,300 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,500 a year at Durham University and £26,800 at University of Manchester: University of Manchester is about £3,700 a year cheaper.

Of the 26 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Durham University is higher in 25 and University of Manchester in 1. The widest gap is in Accounting: £44,000 three years after graduating from Durham University, against £29,000 from University of Manchester. Of the 27 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Durham University is higher in 20 and University of Manchester in 6, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#85
QS World
#40
#175
THE World
#56
#6
Guardian UK
#29
1832
Established
1824
Yes
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.

Durham University

University of Manchester

90.7%
85.1%

Satisfaction

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

£43,800
£36,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

74.4%
80%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

32.6%
40%

International

International student share

278
1041

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

102
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.

Durham

86 countries · 32.6% international

  • 🇨🇳China49.5%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong7.4%
  • 🇮🇳India5.9%
  • 🇺🇸United States4.9%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore2.6%
VS

Manchester

120 countries · 40% international

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

Subjects

50 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

University of Manchester

Also taught at both: Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Psychology (General), Business & Management (General), Computer Science, Archaeology, Finance & Actuarial Science, Clinical Specialities, Education Studies, Theology & Religious Studies, Accounting, General Engineering, English Literature, Classical Studies, Human Geography & Environment, Ancient Languages, Asian Languages & Studies, Mechanical Engineering, Music, Philosophy, Biomedical Engineering, Biotechnology, Childhood & Youth Studies, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Teacher Training, Developmental & Educational Psychology, English Studies, Physical Geography & Climate, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, English Language, Forensic Science, Humanities, Liberal Arts, Marketing, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Social Policy & Public Policy.

Only at Durham 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

Durham University
£31,000
University of Manchester
£32,300

Durham University is about £1,300 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Durham University
£30,500
University of Manchester
£26,800

University of Manchester is about £3,700 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

University of Manchester

  • Politics & International Relations

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    88%Satisfaction88%

  • Economics

    £42,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    90%Satisfaction85%

  • Physics

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£34,000
    90%Satisfaction89%

  • Chemistry

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    96%Satisfaction87%

  • Mathematics

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    89%Satisfaction83%

  • Law

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    90%Satisfaction89%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    89%Satisfaction84%

  • Biochemistry

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    93%Satisfaction87%

  • History

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    94%Satisfaction91%

  • Geology & Earth Sciences

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    96%Satisfaction88%

  • Anthropology

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    96%Satisfaction89%

  • Biology

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    93%Satisfaction91%

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

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Durham 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

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

Durham University vs University of Manchester: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,000 a year at Durham University and £32,300 at University of Manchester: Durham University is about £1,300 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,500 a year at Durham University and £26,800 at University of Manchester: University of Manchester is about £3,700 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 University of Manchester?

Both universities teach 50 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Economics, Physics, Chemistry, Management, Mathematics, Law, Sociology & Criminology, Biochemistry, Civil Engineering, History, Geology & Earth Sciences and 38 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £34,000 three years after graduating from Durham University, and £26,500 from University of Manchester. Student satisfaction with teaching is 88% at Durham University and 88% at University of Manchester. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Durham University or University of Manchester offer more courses?

University of Manchester lists 1,041 courses on CourseOptions and Durham University lists 278 courses.

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

Durham University teaches 4 subject areas that University of Manchester does not, including Natural Sciences, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Combined & General Studies and Social Sciences (General).

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

University of Manchester teaches 66 subject areas that Durham University does not, including Chemical Engineering, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Dentistry, Materials Science, Public Health & Epidemiology, Statistics, Medicine, Nursing (General) and 58 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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Durham University278 courses · 102 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Manchester1,041 courses · 6 scholarshipsBrowse Courses