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.

K
Kingston University

London · QS World #686

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.

2/12

Kingston

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

10/12

Manchester

scored higher in 10 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Manchester leads in 10 of 12 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, employment, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Kingston University is ahead on TEF, satisfaction.

Kingston University vs University of Manchester at a glance

Kingston University and University of Manchester both teach 56 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Chemistry and Economics. Kingston University offers 390 courses across 67 subject areas; University of Manchester offers 1,041 courses across 116 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Kingston University and £32,300 at University of Manchester: Kingston University is about £13,800 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,900 a year at Kingston University and £26,800 at University of Manchester: Kingston University is about £7,900 a year cheaper.

Of the 30 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Manchester is higher in 19 and Kingston University in 9, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £24,500 three years after graduating from Kingston University, against £44,000 from University of Manchester. Of the 29 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Kingston University is higher in 16 and University of Manchester in 13.

World & National Rankings

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

#686
QS World
#40
#801
THE World
#56
#67
Guardian UK
#29
1899
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.

Kingston University

University of Manchester

85.4%
85.1%

Satisfaction

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

£31,900
£36,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

78.9%
80%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

21.9%
40%

International

International student share

390
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.

Kingston

91 countries · 21.9% international

  • 🇮🇳India24.1%
  • 🇨🇳China23.8%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria3.5%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan3.2%
  • 🇺🇸United States3.2%
VS

Manchester

120 countries · 40% international

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

Subjects

56 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.

Kingston University

University of Manchester

Also taught at both: Mechanical Engineering, Nursing (General), Childhood & Youth Studies, Business Studies, Clinical Specialities, Education Studies, Media & Film Studies, Psychology (General), Information Systems & Data Science, Applied Psychology, Pharmacology, Architecture, Music, Pharmacy, Computer Science, Midwifery, Biological Sciences (General), Finance & Actuarial Science, Geography (General), Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Creative Writing, Social Work, Accounting, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Human Geography & Environment, Teacher Training, Forensic Science, Marketing, Mental Health Nursing, Computing & IT, Information & Library Studies, Adult Nursing, Children's Nursing, Drama & Theatre, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Nutrition & Dietetics, Health & Social Care, Human Resource Management, Personal & Professional Development, General Engineering, Software Engineering.

Only at Kingston 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

Kingston University
£18,500
University of Manchester
£32,300

Kingston University is about £13,800 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Kingston University
£18,900
University of Manchester
£26,800

Kingston University is about £7,900 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.

Kingston University

University of Manchester

  • Business & Management (General)

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    81%Satisfaction88%

  • Chemistry

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    81%Satisfaction87%

  • Economics

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    78%Satisfaction85%

  • Biochemistry

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    83%Satisfaction87%

  • Civil Engineering

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    94%Satisfaction77%

  • Aerospace Engineering

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    86%Satisfaction79%

  • Design & Fashion

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    89%Satisfaction88%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    90%Satisfaction86%

  • Law

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    92%Satisfaction89%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    81%Satisfaction84%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    88%Satisfaction86%

  • Environmental Sciences

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    89%Satisfaction90%

Showing the 12 largest of 32 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Kingston 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

Kingston University vs University of Manchester: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Kingston University and £32,300 at University of Manchester: Kingston University is about £13,800 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,900 a year at Kingston University and £26,800 at University of Manchester: Kingston University is about £7,900 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 Kingston University and University of Manchester?

Both universities teach 56 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Chemistry, Economics, Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry, Civil Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Design & Fashion, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Law, Management, Sociology & Criminology and 44 more.

Is Kingston University or University of Manchester better for Business & Management (General)?

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £25,500 three years after graduating from Kingston University, and £29,000 from University of Manchester. Student satisfaction with teaching is 81% at Kingston University and 88% at University of Manchester. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Kingston University or University of Manchester offer more courses?

University of Manchester lists 1,041 courses on CourseOptions and Kingston University lists 390 courses.

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

Kingston University teaches 11 subject areas that University of Manchester does not, including Building & Construction, Games Design & Computer Animation, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Creative Arts (General), Film Production & Cinematography, Learning Disabilities Nursing, Dance, Fine Art and 3 more.

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

University of Manchester teaches 60 subject areas that Kingston University does not, including Politics & International Relations, Physics, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Dentistry, Mathematics, Materials Science, Public Health & Epidemiology, History and 52 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

K
Kingston University390 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Manchester1,041 courses · 6 scholarshipsBrowse Courses