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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.

I
Imperial College London

Kensington and Chelsea · QS World #2

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.

9/11

Imperial College London

scored higher in 9 categories

VS

2/11

Manchester

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

Imperial College London leads in 9 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, TEF, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary, scholarship). University of Manchester is ahead on established, courses.

Imperial College London vs University of Manchester at a glance

Imperial College London and University of Manchester both teach 41 subject areas, the largest being Physics, Mathematics and Politics & International Relations. Imperial College London offers 254 courses across 42 subject areas; University of Manchester offers 1,041 courses across 116 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £32,300 at University of Manchester: Imperial College London is about £7,700 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £26,800 at University of Manchester: University of Manchester is about £13,100 a year cheaper.

Of the 15 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Imperial College London is higher in 14 and University of Manchester in 1. The widest gap is in Mathematics: £53,500 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, against £31,000 from University of Manchester. Of the 15 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Imperial College London is higher in 11 and University of Manchester in 4.

World & National Rankings

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

#2
QS World
#40
#8
THE World
#56
#5
Guardian UK
#29
1907
Established
1824
Yes
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.

Imperial College London

University of Manchester

88.9%
85.1%

Satisfaction

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

£54,000
£36,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.4%
80%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

52.9%
40%

International

International student share

254
1041

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

90
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.

Imperial College London

106 countries · 52.9% international

  • 🇨🇳China41%
  • 🇮🇳India5.8%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5.1%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.6%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore3.6%
VS

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.

Imperial College London

University of Manchester

Also taught at both: Biomedical Sciences, Business & Management (General), Public Health & Epidemiology, Anatomy & Pathology, Clinical Specialities, Medicine, Biomedical Engineering, Genetics & Genomics, Design & Fashion, Finance & Actuarial Science, Healthcare Science, Biotechnology, Business Studies, Ecology & Conservation, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Human Geography & Environment, Materials Engineering, General Engineering, Applied Biology & Human Biology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Physical Geography & Climate, Software Engineering.

Only at Imperial College London

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

Imperial College London
£24,600
University of Manchester
£32,300

Imperial College London is about £7,700 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Imperial College London
£39,900
University of Manchester
£26,800

University of Manchester is about £13,100 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.

Imperial College London

University of Manchester

  • Physics

    £44,000Salary (3 years)£34,000
    76%Satisfaction89%

  • Mathematics

    £53,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    91%Satisfaction83%

  • Biochemistry

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    86%Satisfaction87%

  • Chemistry

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    89%Satisfaction87%

  • Civil Engineering

    £35,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    90%Satisfaction77%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £45,500Salary (3 years)£36,000
    89%Satisfaction84%

  • Microbiology & Cell Biology

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    87%Satisfaction81%

  • Biology

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    88%Satisfaction91%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £46,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    82%Satisfaction86%

  • Computer Science

    £64,000Salary (3 years)£44,000
    97%Satisfaction82%

  • Geology & Earth Sciences

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    91%Satisfaction88%

  • Medicine

    £45,000Salary (3 years)£48,500
    93%Satisfaction86%

Showing the 12 largest of 15 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Imperial College London

Engineering Sainsbury Management Fellows Scholarship

£50,000

Deadline: N/A

Science Sainsbury Management Fellows Scholarship

£50,000

Deadline: N/A

J.P. Morgan Scholarship in Quantitative Finance

£45,100

Deadline: May 2026

Dean's Impact Scholarship

£30,000

Deadline: N/A

W L "Bill" Byrnes Global Scholarship

£30,000

Deadline: N/A

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

Imperial College London vs University of Manchester: common questions

Is Imperial College London or University of Manchester cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £32,300 at University of Manchester: Imperial College London is about £7,700 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £26,800 at University of Manchester: University of Manchester is about £13,100 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 Imperial College London and University of Manchester?

Both universities teach 41 subject areas: Physics, Mathematics, Politics & International Relations, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Biology, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Management, Economics and 29 more.

Is Imperial College London or University of Manchester better for Physics?

Physics graduates earn a median £44,000 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, and £34,000 from University of Manchester. Student satisfaction with teaching is 76% at Imperial College London and 89% at University of Manchester. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Imperial College London or University of Manchester offer more courses?

University of Manchester lists 1,041 courses on CourseOptions and Imperial College London lists 254 courses.

What can you study at Imperial College London but not at University of Manchester?

Imperial College London teaches 1 subject area that University of Manchester does not, including Building & Construction.

What can you study at University of Manchester but not at Imperial College London?

University of Manchester teaches 75 subject areas that Imperial College London does not, including Dentistry, Materials Science, Sociology & Criminology, History, Law, Nursing (General), Planning & Housing, French and 67 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

I
Imperial College London254 courses · 90 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Manchester1,041 courses · 6 scholarshipsBrowse Courses