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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.

K
Keele University

Keele · QS World #801

U
University of Manchester

Manchester · QS World #40

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 12 datapoints

We looked at 12 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

3/12

Keele

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

9/12

Manchester

scored higher in 9 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Manchester leads in 9 of 12 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Keele University is ahead on TEF, satisfaction, employment.

Keele University vs University of Manchester at a glance

Keele University and University of Manchester both teach 70 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Chemistry and Physics. Keele University offers 426 courses across 79 subject areas; University of Manchester offers 1,041 courses across 116 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,200 a year at Keele University and £32,300 at University of Manchester: Keele University is about £14,100 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,200 a year at Keele University and £26,800 at University of Manchester: Keele University is about £8,600 a year cheaper.

Of the 38 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Manchester is higher in 37 and Keele University in 1. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £26,500 three years after graduating from Keele University, against £44,000 from University of Manchester. Of the 36 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Keele University is higher in 19 and University of Manchester in 14, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#801
QS World
#40
#501
THE World
#56
#73
Guardian UK
#29
1949
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.

Keele University

University of Manchester

87.7%
85.1%

Satisfaction

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

£32,100
£36,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83.7%
80%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

8.5%
40%

International

International student share

426
1041

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

1
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.

Keele

56 countries · 8.5% international

  • 🇮🇳India14.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria12.9%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan9.1%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong7.8%
  • 🇨🇳China4.7%
VS

Manchester

120 countries · 40% international

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

Subjects

70 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.

Keele University

University of Manchester

Also taught at both: Computer Science, Psychology (General), Environmental Sciences, Geology & Earth Sciences, History, Public Health & Epidemiology, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Biology, Medicine, Anatomy & Pathology, Pharmacy, Business Studies, Childhood & Youth Studies, Education Studies, English Literature, Pharmacology, Forensic Science, Geography (General), Finance & Actuarial Science, Information Systems & Data Science, Mechanical Engineering, Accounting, Music, Zoology & Animal Biology, Biomedical Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Applied Psychology, Philosophy, Biotechnology, Human Geography & Environment, Social Work, Creative Writing, Ecology & Conservation, Marketing, Medical Sciences, Mental Health Nursing, Midwifery, Applied Biology & Human Biology, Counselling & Psychotherapy, English Studies, Health & Social Care, Software Engineering, Adult Nursing, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Business Information Systems, Physical Geography & Climate, Applied Computing, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Children's Nursing, Eastern European Languages, Human Resource Management, Cultural Studies, General Engineering, Social Policy & Public Policy.

Only at Keele 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

Keele University
£18,200
University of Manchester
£32,300

Keele University is about £14,100 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Keele University
£18,200
University of Manchester
£26,800

Keele University is about £8,600 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.

Keele University

University of Manchester

  • Politics & International Relations

    £22,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    93%Satisfaction88%

  • Chemistry

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    96%Satisfaction87%

  • Physics

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£34,000
    96%Satisfaction89%

  • Biochemistry

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    77%Satisfaction87%

  • Microbiology & Cell Biology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    84%Satisfaction81%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    75%Satisfaction88%

  • Economics

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    83%Satisfaction85%

  • Law

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    83%Satisfaction89%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    86%Satisfaction84%

  • Mathematics

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    87%Satisfaction83%

  • Management

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    83%Satisfaction84%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    88%Satisfaction86%

Showing the 12 largest of 39 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Keele University

Postgraduate Global Scholarship (international) 2026

£5,000

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

Keele University vs University of Manchester: common questions

Is Keele University or University of Manchester cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,200 a year at Keele University and £32,300 at University of Manchester: Keele University is about £14,100 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,200 a year at Keele University and £26,800 at University of Manchester: Keele University is about £8,600 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 Keele University and University of Manchester?

Both universities teach 70 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Chemistry, Physics, Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Business & Management (General), Economics, Law, Sociology & Criminology, Mathematics, Management and 58 more.

Is Keele University or University of Manchester better for Politics & International Relations?

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £22,000 three years after graduating from Keele University, and £26,500 from University of Manchester. Student satisfaction with teaching is 93% at Keele University and 88% at University of Manchester. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Keele University or University of Manchester offer more courses?

University of Manchester lists 1,041 courses on CourseOptions and Keele University lists 426 courses.

What can you study at Keele University but not at University of Manchester?

Keele University teaches 9 subject areas that University of Manchester does not, including Animal Science, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Games Design & Computer Animation, Medical Imaging, Social Sciences (General), Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Community & Specialist Nursing and 1 more.

What can you study at University of Manchester but not at Keele University?

University of Manchester teaches 46 subject areas that Keele University does not, including Dentistry, Materials Science, Statistics, Nursing (General), Clinical Specialities, Genetics & Genomics, Planning & Housing, French and 38 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

K
Keele University426 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses
U
University of Manchester1,041 courses · 6 scholarshipsBrowse Courses