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.
Edinburgh · QS World #801
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.
2/11
Edinburgh Napier
scored higher in 2 categories
9/11
Manchester
scored higher in 9 categories
Quick Verdict
University of Manchester leads in 9 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses). Edinburgh Napier University is ahead on employment, scholarship.
Edinburgh Napier University vs University of Manchester at a glance
Edinburgh Napier University and University of Manchester both teach 41 subject areas, the largest being Management, Microbiology & Cell Biology and Chemical Engineering. Edinburgh Napier University offers 199 courses across 53 subject areas; University of Manchester offers 1,041 courses across 116 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,310 a year at Edinburgh Napier University and £32,300 at University of Manchester: Edinburgh Napier University is about £11,990 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,540 a year at Edinburgh Napier University and £26,800 at University of Manchester: Edinburgh Napier University is about £6,260 a year cheaper.
Of the 24 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Manchester is higher in 18 and Edinburgh Napier University in 4, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £25,500 three years after graduating from Edinburgh Napier University, against £44,000 from University of Manchester. Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Edinburgh Napier University is higher in 11 and University of Manchester in 10, 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.
Edinburgh Napier University
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.
Edinburgh Napier
70 countries · 27.5% international
- 🇮🇳India30.9%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan14.5%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria13.2%
- 🇺🇸United States5.3%
- 🇩🇪Germany4.2%
Manchester
120 countries · 40% international
- 🇨🇳China51%
- 🇮🇳India7.6%
- 🇲🇾Malaysia4.9%
- 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.1%
- 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.5%
Subjects
41 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.
Edinburgh Napier University
University of Manchester
Management
13 coursesTypical fee £18,220 (UG)
25 coursesTypical fee £33,100 (UG)
Microbiology & Cell Biology
4 coursesTypical fee £21,120 (UG)
31 coursesTypical fee £36,200 (UG)
Chemical Engineering
1 courseTypical fee £21,120 (UG)
31 coursesTypical fee £37,800 (UG)
Business & Management (General)
14 coursesFee not available
16 coursesTypical fee £27,800 (UG)
Civil Engineering
6 coursesTypical fee £20,720 (UG)
21 coursesTypical fee £35,700 (UG)
Sociology & Criminology
2 coursesTypical fee £18,220 (UG)
21 coursesTypical fee £27,800 (UG)
Electronic & Electrical Engineering
4 coursesTypical fee £21,120 (UG)
17 coursesTypical fee £35,700 (UG)
Law
4 coursesTypical fee £20,340 (UG)
17 coursesTypical fee £28,400 (UG)
Business Studies
10 coursesFee not available
9 coursesTypical fee £33,100 (UG)
Design & Fashion
11 coursesTypical fee £21,120 (UG)
8 coursesTypical fee £39,900 (UG)
Computer Science
13 coursesTypical fee £21,120 (UG)
5 coursesTypical fee £37,800 (UG)
Nursing (General)
1 courseTypical fee £20,540 (PG)
17 coursesTypical fee £28,900 (UG)
Biomedical Sciences
2 coursesTypical fee £21,120 (UG)
14 coursesTypical fee £36,200 (UG)
Mechanical Engineering
Information Systems & Data Science
3 coursesTypical fee £22,290 (PG)
11 coursesTypical fee £35,700 (PG)
Also taught at both: Media & Film Studies, Marketing, Music, Accounting, Finance & Actuarial Science, Psychology (General), Teacher Training, Architecture, Biological Sciences (General), Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Creative Writing, Drama & Theatre, Midwifery, Applied Psychology, Ecology & Conservation, Human Resource Management, English Studies, Mental Health Nursing, Software Engineering, Computing & IT, Health & Social Care, Adult Nursing, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Children's Nursing, Personal & Professional Development, Social Policy & Public Policy.
Only at Edinburgh Napier 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
- Edinburgh Napier University
- £20,310
- University of Manchester
- £32,300
Edinburgh Napier University is about £11,990 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Edinburgh Napier University
- £20,540
- University of Manchester
- £26,800
Edinburgh Napier University is about £6,260 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.
Edinburgh Napier University
University of Manchester
Management
£25,000Salary (3 years)£29,00076%Satisfaction84%Microbiology & Cell Biology
£22,500Salary (3 years)£27,50098%Satisfaction81%Chemical Engineering
£28,000Salary (3 years)£36,00079%Satisfaction84%Business & Management (General)
£36,000Salary (3 years)£29,00079%Satisfaction88%Civil Engineering
£28,000Salary (3 years)£30,50094%Satisfaction77%Sociology & Criminology
£23,000Salary (3 years)£23,50079%Satisfaction84%Electronic & Electrical Engineering
£28,000Salary (3 years)£33,50094%Satisfaction86%Law
£24,000Salary (3 years)£24,00083%Satisfaction89%Business Studies
£24,500Salary (3 years)£30,50079%Satisfaction92%Design & Fashion
£22,000Salary (3 years)£21,00089%Satisfaction88%Computer Science
£25,500Salary (3 years)£44,00084%Satisfaction82%Biomedical Sciences
£28,500Salary (3 years)£28,00095%Satisfaction86%
Showing the 12 largest of 25 shared subjects with published outcomes.
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveEdinburgh Napier University
OAS Craiglockhart Scholarship
£30,000
Deadline: N/A
WSP and Dodyk Scholarship
£16,875
Deadline: N/A
Hong Kong Scholarship Trust
£16,000
Deadline: Apr 2027
Carnegie Masters Grant
£10,000
Deadline: Jul 2026
Data and AI Scholarships with The Data Lab
100%
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
Edinburgh Napier University vs University of Manchester: common questions
Is Edinburgh Napier University or University of Manchester cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,310 a year at Edinburgh Napier University and £32,300 at University of Manchester: Edinburgh Napier University is about £11,990 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,540 a year at Edinburgh Napier University and £26,800 at University of Manchester: Edinburgh Napier University is about £6,260 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 Edinburgh Napier University and University of Manchester?
Both universities teach 41 subject areas: Management, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Chemical Engineering, Business & Management (General), Civil Engineering, Sociology & Criminology, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Law, Business Studies, Design & Fashion, Computer Science, Nursing (General) and 29 more.
Is Edinburgh Napier University or University of Manchester better for Management?
Management graduates earn a median £25,000 three years after graduating from Edinburgh Napier University, and £29,000 from University of Manchester. Student satisfaction with teaching is 76% at Edinburgh Napier University and 84% at University of Manchester. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Edinburgh Napier University or University of Manchester offer more courses?
University of Manchester lists 1,041 courses on CourseOptions and Edinburgh Napier University lists 199 courses.
What can you study at Edinburgh Napier University but not at University of Manchester?
Edinburgh Napier University teaches 12 subject areas that University of Manchester does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Film Production & Cinematography, Building & Construction, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Journalism, Games Design & Computer Animation, Social Sciences (General), Creative Arts (General) and 4 more.
What can you study at University of Manchester but not at Edinburgh Napier University?
University of Manchester teaches 75 subject areas that Edinburgh Napier University does not, including Politics & International Relations, Physics, Biochemistry, Dentistry, Economics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Materials Science and 67 more.
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