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
Loughborough University

Loughborough · QS World #203

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.

6/12

Loughborough

scored higher in 6 categories

VS

6/12

Manchester

scored higher in 6 categories

Quick Verdict

Loughborough University and University of Manchester are evenly matched: each leads in 6 of 12 categories where both have data. Loughborough University is ahead on ranking, TEF, satisfaction, employment, graduate salary, scholarship; University of Manchester on ranking, Russell Group, established, international, courses.

Loughborough University vs University of Manchester at a glance

Loughborough University and University of Manchester both teach 55 subject areas, the largest being Physics, Politics & International Relations and Chemical Engineering. Loughborough University offers 416 courses across 63 subject areas; University of Manchester offers 1,041 courses across 116 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,750 a year at Loughborough University and £32,300 at University of Manchester: Loughborough University is about £2,550 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,500 a year at Loughborough University and £26,800 at University of Manchester: University of Manchester is about £2,700 a year cheaper.

Of the 24 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Loughborough University is higher in 18 and University of Manchester in 3, with 3 about level. The widest gap is in Finance & Actuarial Science: £43,000 three years after graduating from Loughborough University, against £30,500 from University of Manchester. Of the 18 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Loughborough University is higher in 16 and University of Manchester in 2.

World & National Rankings

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

#203
QS World
#40
#301
THE World
#56
#11
Guardian UK
#29
1909
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.

Loughborough University

University of Manchester

87.6%
85.1%

Satisfaction

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

£41,200
£36,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84%
80%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

18.4%
40%

International

International student share

416
1041

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

36
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.

Loughborough

90 countries · 18.4% international

  • 🇨🇳China24.7%
  • 🇮🇳India13.2%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.6%
  • 🇦🇪United Arab Emirates3.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria3.4%
VS

Manchester

120 countries · 40% international

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

Subjects

55 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.

Loughborough University

University of Manchester

Also taught at both: Materials Science, Geology & Earth Sciences, Law, Public Health & Epidemiology, Media & Film Studies, Planning & Housing, Biology, Business Studies, Materials Engineering, Clinical Specialities, Finance & Actuarial Science, Physical Geography & Climate, Psychology (General), Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, English Literature, English Studies, Pharmacology, Childhood & Youth Studies, Education Studies, General Engineering, Human Geography & Environment, Architecture, Geography (General), Information & Library Studies, Polymer & Textiles Technology, Accounting, Biotechnology, Applied Biology & Human Biology, Ancient Languages, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Computing & IT, Health & Social Care, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Marketing, Human Resource Management, Personal & Professional Development, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Social Policy & Public Policy.

Only at Loughborough 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

Loughborough University
£29,750
University of Manchester
£32,300

Loughborough University is about £2,550 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Loughborough University
£29,500
University of Manchester
£26,800

University of Manchester is about £2,700 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.

Loughborough University

University of Manchester

  • Physics

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£34,000
    96%Satisfaction89%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    No dataSatisfaction88%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£36,000
    95%Satisfaction84%

  • Mathematics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    85%Satisfaction83%

  • Chemistry

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    85%Satisfaction87%

  • Management

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    No dataSatisfaction84%

  • Civil Engineering

    £34,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    87%Satisfaction77%

  • Economics

    £37,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    88%Satisfaction85%

  • Computer Science

    £40,500Salary (3 years)£44,000
    86%Satisfaction82%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    88%Satisfaction84%

  • Design & Fashion

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    89%Satisfaction88%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £34,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    90%Satisfaction86%

Showing the 12 largest of 24 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Loughborough University

Schlumberger Foundation Faculty for the Future Fellowships

£50,000

Deadline: N/A

Care Leaver's Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Commonwealth Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Global Impact Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Inspiring Success Scholarship

100%

Deadline: Jul 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

Loughborough University vs University of Manchester: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,750 a year at Loughborough University and £32,300 at University of Manchester: Loughborough University is about £2,550 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,500 a year at Loughborough University and £26,800 at University of Manchester: University of Manchester is about £2,700 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 Loughborough University and University of Manchester?

Both universities teach 55 subject areas: Physics, Politics & International Relations, Chemical Engineering, Mathematics, Chemistry, Management, Civil Engineering, Economics, Computer Science, Sociology & Criminology, Design & Fashion, Electronic & Electrical Engineering and 43 more.

Is Loughborough University or University of Manchester better for Physics?

Physics graduates earn a median £30,500 three years after graduating from Loughborough University, and £34,000 from University of Manchester. Student satisfaction with teaching is 96% at Loughborough University and 89% at University of Manchester. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Loughborough University or University of Manchester offer more courses?

University of Manchester lists 1,041 courses on CourseOptions and Loughborough University lists 416 courses.

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

Loughborough University teaches 8 subject areas that University of Manchester does not, including Sport & Exercise Sciences, Building & Construction, Natural Sciences, Fine Art, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Social Sciences (General), Film Production & Cinematography and Technology & Logistics.

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

University of Manchester teaches 61 subject areas that Loughborough University does not, including Microbiology & Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Dentistry, Statistics, Medicine, Nursing (General), Anatomy & Pathology, Genetics & Genomics and 53 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

L
Loughborough University416 courses · 36 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Manchester1,041 courses · 6 scholarshipsBrowse Courses