Skip to main content

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.

H
Harper Adams University

Newport · QS World #1401

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.

3/10

Harper Adams

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

7/10

Manchester

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Manchester leads in 7 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Harper Adams University is ahead on TEF, satisfaction, employment.

Harper Adams University vs University of Manchester at a glance

Harper Adams University and University of Manchester both teach 13 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Management and Economics. Harper Adams University offers 103 courses across 21 subject areas; University of Manchester offers 1,041 courses across 116 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,500 a year at Harper Adams University and £32,300 at University of Manchester: Harper Adams University is about £15,800 a year cheaper.

Of the 4 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Harper Adams University is higher in 3 and University of Manchester in 0, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Mechanical Engineering: £33,000 three years after graduating from Harper Adams University, against £31,500 from University of Manchester. Of the 6 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Manchester is higher in 4 and Harper Adams University in 2.

World & National Rankings

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

#1401
QS World
#40
—
THE World
#56
—
Guardian UK
#29
1901
Established
1824
No
Russell Group
Yes
Gold
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.

Harper Adams University

University of Manchester

85.7%
85.1%

Satisfaction

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

£33,600
£36,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

92.9%
80%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

2.6%
40%

International

International student share

103
1041

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

4
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.

Harper Adams

14 countries · 2.6% international

  • 🇮🇪Ireland37%
  • 🌐Zimbabwe7.4%
  • 🇩🇰Denmark3.7%
  • 🇫🇷France3.7%
  • 🇬🇷Greece3.7%
VS

Manchester

120 countries · 40% international

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

Subjects

13 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.

Harper Adams University

University of Manchester

Only at Harper Adams 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

Harper Adams University
£16,500
University of Manchester
£32,300

Harper Adams University is about £15,800 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Harper Adams University
No data
University of Manchester
£26,800

We do not have reliable international fee data for Harper Adams University yet.

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.

Harper Adams University

University of Manchester

  • Management

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    77%Satisfaction84%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    77%Satisfaction88%

  • Zoology & Animal Biology

    No dataSalary (3 years)£27,500
    83%Satisfaction86%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£31,500
    90%Satisfaction77%

  • Manufacturing & Production Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    87%Satisfaction80%

  • Business Information Systems

    No dataSalary (3 years)£42,500
    60%Satisfaction85%

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Harper Adams University

The Cambidge Foundation CIO Entry Scholarship 2026-27

£6,000

Deadline: Aug 2026

Wakeham Petary Entry Scholarship 2026-27

£5,000

Deadline: Aug 2026

Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship 2026-27

£3,500

Deadline: Aug 2026

Wakeham Petary Open Entry Scholarship 2026-27

£2,500

Deadline: Aug 2026

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

Harper Adams University vs University of Manchester: common questions

Is Harper Adams University or University of Manchester cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,500 a year at Harper Adams University and £32,300 at University of Manchester: Harper Adams University is about £15,800 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 Harper Adams University and University of Manchester?

Both universities teach 13 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Management, Economics, Business & Management (General), Law, Geology & Earth Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Zoology & Animal Biology, Ecology & Conservation, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Business Information Systems and 1 more.

Is Harper Adams University or University of Manchester better for Management?

Management graduates earn a median £29,500 three years after graduating from Harper Adams University, and £29,000 from University of Manchester. Student satisfaction with teaching is 77% at Harper Adams University and 84% at University of Manchester. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Harper Adams University or University of Manchester offer more courses?

University of Manchester lists 1,041 courses on CourseOptions and Harper Adams University lists 103 courses.

What can you study at Harper Adams University but not at University of Manchester?

Harper Adams University teaches 8 subject areas that University of Manchester does not, including Agriculture & Land Management, Veterinary Sciences & Nursing, Agricultural Sciences, Animal Science, Food Science, Food & Beverage Studies, Sport & Exercise Sciences and Technology & Logistics.

What can you study at University of Manchester but not at Harper Adams University?

University of Manchester teaches 103 subject areas that Harper Adams University does not, including Physics, Chemical Engineering, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Dentistry, Chemistry, Mathematics, Civil Engineering and 95 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

H
Harper Adams University103 courses · 4 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Manchester1,041 courses · 6 scholarshipsBrowse Courses