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.
Glasgow · QS World #1001
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
Glasgow Caledonian
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, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Glasgow Caledonian University is ahead on satisfaction, employment.
Glasgow Caledonian University vs University of Manchester at a glance
Glasgow Caledonian University and University of Manchester both teach 38 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Management and Business & Management (General). Glasgow Caledonian University offers 130 courses across 48 subject areas; University of Manchester offers 1,041 courses across 116 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £15,700 a year at Glasgow Caledonian University and £32,300 at University of Manchester: Glasgow Caledonian University is about £16,600 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,950 a year at Glasgow Caledonian University and £26,800 at University of Manchester: Glasgow Caledonian University is about £8,850 a year cheaper.
Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Manchester is higher in 16 and Glasgow Caledonian University in 3, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £26,500 three years after graduating from Glasgow Caledonian University, against £44,000 from University of Manchester. Of the 17 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Glasgow Caledonian University is higher in 10 and University of Manchester in 7.
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.
Glasgow Caledonian 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.
Glasgow Caledonian
45 countries · 22.7% international
- 🇵🇰Pakistan39.5%
- 🇮🇳India27.4%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria19.8%
- 🇧🇩Bangladesh2.3%
- 🇨🇦Canada1.6%
Manchester
120 countries · 40% international
- 🇨🇳China51%
- 🇮🇳India7.6%
- 🇲🇾Malaysia4.9%
- 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.1%
- 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.5%
Subjects
38 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.
Glasgow Caledonian University
University of Manchester
Politics & International Relations
1 courseTypical fee £16,200 (PG)
39 coursesTypical fee £27,800 (UG)
Management
4 coursesTypical fee £15,700 (UG)
25 coursesTypical fee £33,100 (UG)
Business & Management (General)
10 coursesTypical fee £15,700 (UG)
16 coursesTypical fee £27,800 (UG)
Dentistry
1 courseFee not available
25 coursesTypical fee £49,600 (UG)
Economics
1 courseTypical fee £16,200 (PG)
25 coursesTypical fee £32,050 (UG)
Electronic & Electrical Engineering
8 coursesTypical fee £15,700 (UG)
17 coursesTypical fee £35,700 (UG)
Mathematics
1 courseTypical fee £19,400 (PG)
24 coursesTypical fee £36,300 (UG)
Civil Engineering
3 coursesTypical fee £15,700 (UG)
21 coursesTypical fee £35,700 (UG)
Law
3 coursesTypical fee £15,700 (UG)
17 coursesTypical fee £28,400 (UG)
Public Health & Epidemiology
1 courseTypical fee £16,700 (PG)
19 coursesTypical fee £12,600 (PG)
Nursing (General)
2 coursesTypical fee £16,700 (PG)
17 coursesTypical fee £28,900 (UG)
Clinical Specialities
3 coursesFee not available
15 coursesFee not available
Biomedical Sciences
3 coursesTypical fee £15,700 (UG)
14 coursesTypical fee £36,200 (UG)
Business Studies
Mechanical Engineering
Also taught at both: Media & Film Studies, Pharmacology, Design & Fashion, Finance & Actuarial Science, Psychology (General), Computer Science, Optometry & Ophthalmics, Biological Sciences (General), Accounting, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Social Work, Applied Psychology, Computing & IT, Marketing, Mental Health Nursing, Forensic Science, Adult Nursing, Children's Nursing, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Nutrition & Dietetics, Software Engineering, Applied Computing, General Engineering.
Only at Glasgow Caledonian 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
- Glasgow Caledonian University
- £15,700
- University of Manchester
- £32,300
Glasgow Caledonian University is about £16,600 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Glasgow Caledonian University
- £17,950
- University of Manchester
- £26,800
Glasgow Caledonian University is about £8,850 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.
Glasgow Caledonian University
University of Manchester
Management
£24,500Salary (3 years)£29,00089%Satisfaction84%Business & Management (General)
£23,000Salary (3 years)£29,00085%Satisfaction88%Dentistry
No dataSalary (3 years)£48,50093%Satisfaction77%Electronic & Electrical Engineering
£26,500Salary (3 years)£33,50097%Satisfaction86%Civil Engineering
£26,500Salary (3 years)£30,50082%Satisfaction77%Law
£22,500Salary (3 years)£24,000No dataSatisfaction89%Biomedical Sciences
£31,000Salary (3 years)£28,00092%Satisfaction86%Business Studies
£23,500Salary (3 years)£30,50090%Satisfaction92%Mechanical Engineering
£26,500Salary (3 years)£31,50082%Satisfaction77%Media & Film Studies
£20,000Salary (3 years)No data91%Satisfaction93%Pharmacology
£24,000Salary (3 years)£35,00093%Satisfaction86%Design & Fashion
£21,000Salary (3 years)£21,00096%Satisfaction88%
Showing the 12 largest of 22 shared subjects with published outcomes.
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveGlasgow Caledonian University
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
FAQ
Glasgow Caledonian University vs University of Manchester: common questions
Is Glasgow Caledonian University or University of Manchester cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £15,700 a year at Glasgow Caledonian University and £32,300 at University of Manchester: Glasgow Caledonian University is about £16,600 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,950 a year at Glasgow Caledonian University and £26,800 at University of Manchester: Glasgow Caledonian University is about £8,850 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 Glasgow Caledonian University and University of Manchester?
Both universities teach 38 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Management, Business & Management (General), Dentistry, Economics, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, Civil Engineering, Law, Public Health & Epidemiology, Nursing (General), Clinical Specialities and 26 more.
Is Glasgow Caledonian University or University of Manchester better for Management?
Management graduates earn a median £24,500 three years after graduating from Glasgow Caledonian University, and £29,000 from University of Manchester. Student satisfaction with teaching is 89% at Glasgow Caledonian University and 84% at University of Manchester. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Glasgow Caledonian University or University of Manchester offer more courses?
University of Manchester lists 1,041 courses on CourseOptions and Glasgow Caledonian University lists 130 courses.
What can you study at Glasgow Caledonian University but not at University of Manchester?
Glasgow Caledonian University teaches 10 subject areas that University of Manchester does not, including Building & Construction, Games Design & Computer Animation, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Medical Imaging, Journalism, Learning Disabilities Nursing, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Social Sciences (General) and 2 more.
What can you study at University of Manchester but not at Glasgow Caledonian University?
University of Manchester teaches 78 subject areas that Glasgow Caledonian University does not, including Physics, Chemical Engineering, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Materials Science, Sociology & Criminology, History and 70 more.
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