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.

L
London South Bank University

London · QS World #901

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.

1/10

London South Bank

scored higher in 1 category

VS

9/10

Manchester

scored higher in 9 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Manchester leads in 9 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). London South Bank University is ahead on employment.

London South Bank University vs University of Manchester at a glance

London South Bank University and University of Manchester both teach 42 subject areas, the largest being Chemical Engineering, Physics and Economics. London South Bank University offers 240 courses across 55 subject areas; University of Manchester offers 1,041 courses across 116 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,400 a year at London South Bank University and £32,300 at University of Manchester: London South Bank University is about £14,900 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,900 a year at London South Bank University and £26,800 at University of Manchester: London South Bank University is about £7,900 a year cheaper.

Of the 25 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Manchester is higher in 16 and London South Bank University in 9. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £28,000 three years after graduating from London South Bank University, against £44,000 from University of Manchester. Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, London South Bank University is higher in 12 and University of Manchester in 8, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#901
QS World
#40
#601
THE World
#56
#78
Guardian UK
#29
1892
Established
1824
No
Russell Group
Yes
Silver
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

London South Bank University

University of Manchester

85.1%
85.1%

Satisfaction

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

£33,900
£36,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.1%
80%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

15.6%
40%

International

International student share

240
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.

London South Bank

60 countries · 15.6% international

  • 🇵🇰Pakistan26.1%
  • 🇮🇳India19.1%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh18.1%
  • 🌐Nepal4.9%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria3.3%
VS

Manchester

120 countries · 40% international

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

Subjects

42 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.

London South Bank University

University of Manchester

Also taught at both: Clinical Specialities, Mechanical Engineering, Architecture, Computer Science, Clinical & Health Psychology, Education Studies, Design & Fashion, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Childhood & Youth Studies, Children's Nursing, Media & Film Studies, Mental Health Nursing, Accounting, Finance & Actuarial Science, Psychology (General), Polymer & Textiles Technology, Social Work, Adult Nursing, Counselling & Psychotherapy, General Engineering, Midwifery, Marketing, Applied Psychology, Computing & IT, Drama & Theatre, Forensic Science, Health & Social Care.

Only at London South Bank 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

London South Bank University
£17,400
University of Manchester
£32,300

London South Bank University is about £14,900 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

London South Bank University
£18,900
University of Manchester
£26,800

London South Bank 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.

London South Bank University

University of Manchester

  • Chemical Engineering

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£36,000
    75%Satisfaction84%

  • Economics

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    91%Satisfaction85%

  • Civil Engineering

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    83%Satisfaction77%

  • Chemistry

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    98%Satisfaction87%

  • Law

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    89%Satisfaction89%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    89%Satisfaction84%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    94%Satisfaction86%

  • Business Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    93%Satisfaction92%

  • Planning & Housing

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    90%Satisfaction81%

  • Nursing (General)

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    No dataSatisfactionNo data

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    73%Satisfaction86%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£31,500
    89%Satisfaction77%

Showing the 12 largest of 26 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

London South Bank 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

London South Bank University vs University of Manchester: common questions

Is London South Bank University or University of Manchester cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,400 a year at London South Bank University and £32,300 at University of Manchester: London South Bank University is about £14,900 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,900 a year at London South Bank University and £26,800 at University of Manchester: London South Bank 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 London South Bank University and University of Manchester?

Both universities teach 42 subject areas: Chemical Engineering, Physics, Economics, Civil Engineering, Management, Dentistry, Chemistry, Law, Sociology & Criminology, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Business Studies, Planning & Housing and 30 more.

Is London South Bank University or University of Manchester better for Chemical Engineering?

Chemical Engineering graduates earn a median £28,000 three years after graduating from London South Bank University, and £36,000 from University of Manchester. Student satisfaction with teaching is 75% at London South Bank University and 84% at University of Manchester. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does London South Bank University or University of Manchester offer more courses?

University of Manchester lists 1,041 courses on CourseOptions and London South Bank University lists 240 courses.

What can you study at London South Bank University but not at University of Manchester?

London South Bank University teaches 13 subject areas that University of Manchester does not, including Building & Construction, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Medical Imaging, Food Production & Technology, Complementary & Alternative Medicine, Specialist Clinical Nursing, Creative Arts (General) and 5 more.

What can you study at University of Manchester but not at London South Bank University?

University of Manchester teaches 74 subject areas that London South Bank University does not, including Politics & International Relations, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Mathematics, Materials Science, Public Health & Epidemiology, History, Statistics and 66 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

L
London South Bank University240 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Manchester1,041 courses · 6 scholarshipsBrowse Courses