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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.

G
Glasgow Caledonian University

Glasgow · QS World #1001

U
University of Manchester

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

VS

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.

#1001
QS World
#40
#801
THE World
#56
#88
Guardian UK
#29
1993
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.

Glasgow Caledonian University

University of Manchester

87.1%
85.1%

Satisfaction

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

£33,200
£36,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

88.9%
80%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.7%
40%

International

International student share

130
1041

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
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.

Glasgow Caledonian

45 countries · 22.7% international

  • 🇵🇰Pakistan39.5%
  • 🇮🇳India27.4%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria19.8%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh2.3%
  • 🇨🇦Canada1.6%
VS

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

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.

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)£29,000
    89%Satisfaction84%
  • Business & Management (General)

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    85%Satisfaction88%
  • Dentistry

    No dataSalary (3 years)£48,500
    93%Satisfaction77%
  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    97%Satisfaction86%
  • Civil Engineering

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    82%Satisfaction77%
  • Law

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    No dataSatisfaction89%
  • Biomedical Sciences

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    92%Satisfaction86%
  • Business Studies

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    90%Satisfaction92%
  • Mechanical Engineering

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£31,500
    82%Satisfaction77%
  • Media & Film Studies

    £20,000Salary (3 years)No data
    91%Satisfaction93%
  • Pharmacology

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£35,000
    93%Satisfaction86%
  • Design & Fashion

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    96%Satisfaction88%

Showing the 12 largest of 22 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Glasgow 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

View all scholarships →

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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