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
Manchester · QS World #40
Head-to-Head Summary
Based on 8 datapoints
We looked at 8 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.
2/8
Glasgow School of Art
scored higher in 2 categories
6/8
Manchester
scored higher in 6 categories
Quick Verdict
University of Manchester leads in 6 of 8 categories where both have data (Russell Group, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses). Glasgow School of Art is ahead on employment, scholarship.
Glasgow School of Art vs University of Manchester at a glance
Glasgow School of Art and University of Manchester both teach 7 subject areas, the largest being Design & Fashion, Anatomy & Pathology and Architecture. Glasgow School of Art offers 40 courses across 12 subject areas; University of Manchester offers 1,041 courses across 116 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,350 a year at Glasgow School of Art and £32,300 at University of Manchester: Glasgow School of Art is about £7,950 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,900 a year at Glasgow School of Art and £26,800 at University of Manchester: Glasgow School of Art is about £900 a year cheaper.
In Design & Fashion, the one shared subject where both publish a graduate salary, Glasgow School of Art is higher. Of the 2 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Manchester is higher in 1 and Glasgow School of Art in 0, 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.
Glasgow School of Art
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 School of Art
33 countries · 36.6% international
- 🇨🇳China64.4%
- 🇺🇸United States5.3%
- 🇮🇳India3.8%
- 🌐Korea (South)2.9%
- 🇫🇷France1.4%
Manchester
120 countries · 40% international
- 🇨🇳China51%
- 🇮🇳India7.6%
- 🇲🇾Malaysia4.9%
- 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.1%
- 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.5%
Subjects
7 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 School of Art
University of Manchester
Design & Fashion
15 coursesTypical fee £24,350 (UG)
8 coursesTypical fee £39,900 (UG)
Anatomy & Pathology
1 courseTypical fee £32,500 (PG)
16 coursesTypical fee £36,200 (UG)
Architecture
History of Art & Design
Applied Computing
Computing & IT
General Engineering
Only at Glasgow School of Art
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 School of Art
- £24,350
- University of Manchester
- £32,300
Glasgow School of Art is about £7,950 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Glasgow School of Art
- £25,900
- University of Manchester
- £26,800
Glasgow School of Art is about £900 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 School of Art
University of Manchester
Design & Fashion
£21,500Salary (3 years)£21,00083%Satisfaction88%History of Art & Design
No dataSalary (3 years)£22,50089%Satisfaction89%
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveGlasgow School of Art
GSA Financial Support Scholarships 2026/27
See details
Deadline: May 2026
GSA International Merit Scholarships 2026/27
See details
Deadline: May 2026
International Foundation Scholarships 2026-27
See details
Deadline: May 2026
Mackintosh School of Architecture Scholarships 2026-27
See details
Deadline: May 2026
School of Design Scholarships 2026-27
See details
Deadline: May 2026
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 School of Art vs University of Manchester: common questions
Is Glasgow School of Art or University of Manchester cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,350 a year at Glasgow School of Art and £32,300 at University of Manchester: Glasgow School of Art is about £7,950 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,900 a year at Glasgow School of Art and £26,800 at University of Manchester: Glasgow School of Art is about £900 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 School of Art and University of Manchester?
Both universities teach 7 subject areas: Design & Fashion, Anatomy & Pathology, Architecture, History of Art & Design, Applied Computing, Computing & IT and General Engineering.
Is Glasgow School of Art or University of Manchester better for Design & Fashion?
Design & Fashion graduates earn a median £21,500 three years after graduating from Glasgow School of Art, and £21,000 from University of Manchester. Student satisfaction with teaching is 83% at Glasgow School of Art and 88% at University of Manchester. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Glasgow School of Art or University of Manchester offer more courses?
University of Manchester lists 1,041 courses on CourseOptions and Glasgow School of Art lists 40 courses.
What can you study at Glasgow School of Art but not at University of Manchester?
Glasgow School of Art teaches 5 subject areas that University of Manchester does not, including Fine Art, Film Production & Cinematography, Crafts & Applied Arts, Creative Arts (General) and Games Design & Computer Animation.
What can you study at University of Manchester but not at Glasgow School of Art?
University of Manchester teaches 109 subject areas that Glasgow School of Art does not, including Politics & International Relations, Physics, Chemical Engineering, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Dentistry, Economics, Management and 101 more.
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