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.
Manchester · QS World #600
London · QS World #458
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.
5/11
Manchester Metropolitan
scored higher in 5 categories
6/11
SOAS University of London
scored higher in 6 categories
Quick Verdict
SOAS University of London leads in 6 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, established, international, graduate salary, scholarship). Manchester Metropolitan University is ahead on ranking, TEF, satisfaction, employment, courses.
Manchester Metropolitan University vs SOAS University of London at a glance
Manchester Metropolitan University and SOAS University of London both teach 18 subject areas, the largest being Media & Film Studies, Politics & International Relations and Ancient Languages. Manchester Metropolitan University offers 393 courses across 78 subject areas; SOAS University of London offers 296 courses across 29 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at Manchester Metropolitan University and £23,780 at SOAS University of London: Manchester Metropolitan University is about £2,280 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,000 a year at Manchester Metropolitan University and £25,320 at SOAS University of London: Manchester Metropolitan University is about £4,320 a year cheaper.
Of the 11 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, SOAS University of London is higher in 11 and Manchester Metropolitan University in 0. The widest gap is in Economics: £24,500 three years after graduating from Manchester Metropolitan University, against £35,000 from SOAS University of London. Of the 12 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Manchester Metropolitan University is higher in 7 and SOAS University of London in 5.
World & National Rankings
Compare world and national league table positions, TEF ratings, and Russell Group membership.
Visual Breakdown
Key metrics at a glance
Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.
Manchester Metropolitan University
SOAS University of London
Satisfaction
Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)
Graduate Salaries (5y)
Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation
Employment
Graduate employment rate
International
International student share
Course Counts
Number of courses offered
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.
Manchester Metropolitan
90 countries · 9.3% international
- 🇮🇳India21.7%
- 🇨🇳China10.8%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan7.1%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria7%
- 🌐Kuwait5.8%
SOAS University of London
67 countries · 25.7% international
- 🇨🇳China10.9%
- 🇮🇳India10.6%
- 🇺🇸United States9.4%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan7.6%
- 🇫🇷France3.6%
Subjects
18 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.
Manchester Metropolitan University
SOAS University of London
Media & Film Studies
11 coursesTypical fee £20,000 (UG)
41 coursesTypical fee £23,780 (UG)
Politics & International Relations
11 coursesTypical fee £20,000 (UG)
34 coursesTypical fee £23,780 (UG)
Ancient Languages
1 courseTypical fee £21,500 (PG)
23 coursesTypical fee £23,780 (UG)
Law
10 coursesTypical fee £20,000 (UG)
13 coursesTypical fee £23,780 (UG)
Business & Management (General)
11 coursesTypical fee £20,000 (UG)
8 coursesTypical fee £23,780 (UG)
History
Economics
3 coursesTypical fee £20,000 (UG)
10 coursesTypical fee £23,780 (UG)
Music
Sociology & Criminology
History of Art & Design
Linguistics
Philosophy
Electronic & Electrical Engineering
Accounting
Finance & Actuarial Science
Also taught at both: Management, Social Sciences (General), Biological Sciences (General).
Only at Manchester Metropolitan University
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
- Manchester Metropolitan University
- £21,500
- SOAS University of London
- £23,780
Manchester Metropolitan University is about £2,280 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Manchester Metropolitan University
- £21,000
- SOAS University of London
- £25,320
Manchester Metropolitan University is about £4,320 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.
Manchester Metropolitan University
SOAS University of London
Politics & International Relations
£21,000Salary (3 years)£31,00088%Satisfaction90%Law
£19,500Salary (3 years)£28,00092%Satisfaction77%Business & Management (General)
£22,500Salary (3 years)£27,50088%Satisfaction82%History
£21,000Salary (3 years)£26,50087%Satisfaction89%Economics
£24,500Salary (3 years)£35,00079%Satisfaction83%Music
£18,500Salary (3 years)No data92%Satisfaction87%History of Art & Design
£21,000Salary (3 years)£26,50093%Satisfaction97%Linguistics
£20,500Salary (3 years)£24,00094%Satisfaction98%Philosophy
£17,500Salary (3 years)£26,00091%Satisfaction89%Accounting
£23,000Salary (3 years)£27,50090%Satisfaction88%Management
£22,500Salary (3 years)£27,50087%Satisfaction73%Social Sciences (General)
£21,000Salary (3 years)£26,50090%Satisfaction89%
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveManchester Metropolitan University
Allan and Nesta Ferguson Charitable Trust Scholarships
100%
Deadline: May 2026
Doctoral Landscape Awards
100%
Deadline: N/A
Fulbright Scholarship
100%
Deadline: N/A
SOAS University of London
SOAS International Academic Excellence Scholarship
£20,000
Deadline: May 2026
SOAS Sustainable Development Goal Scholarship
£15,000
Deadline: Jun 2026
Commonwealth Shared Scholarships
100%
Deadline: N/A
Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Programme
100%
Deadline: N/A
SOAS Academic Excellence Scholarship
£10,000
Deadline: May 2026
FAQ
Manchester Metropolitan University vs SOAS University of London: common questions
Is Manchester Metropolitan University or SOAS University of London cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at Manchester Metropolitan University and £23,780 at SOAS University of London: Manchester Metropolitan University is about £2,280 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,000 a year at Manchester Metropolitan University and £25,320 at SOAS University of London: Manchester Metropolitan University is about £4,320 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 Manchester Metropolitan University and SOAS University of London?
Both universities teach 18 subject areas: Media & Film Studies, Politics & International Relations, Ancient Languages, Law, Business & Management (General), History, Economics, Music, Sociology & Criminology, History of Art & Design, Linguistics, Philosophy and 6 more.
Is Manchester Metropolitan University or SOAS University of London better for Politics & International Relations?
Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £21,000 three years after graduating from Manchester Metropolitan University, and £31,000 from SOAS University of London. Student satisfaction with teaching is 88% at Manchester Metropolitan University and 90% at SOAS University of London. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Manchester Metropolitan University or SOAS University of London offer more courses?
Manchester Metropolitan University lists 393 courses on CourseOptions and SOAS University of London lists 296 courses.
What can you study at Manchester Metropolitan University but not at SOAS University of London?
Manchester Metropolitan University teaches 60 subject areas that SOAS University of London does not, including Design & Fashion, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Business Studies, English Studies, Teacher Training, Psychology (General), Chemistry, Hospitality, Events & Tourism and 52 more.
What can you study at SOAS University of London but not at Manchester Metropolitan University?
SOAS University of London teaches 11 subject areas that Manchester Metropolitan University does not, including Asian Languages & Studies, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Anthropology, Creative Arts (General), International Development, Theology & Religious Studies, Civil Engineering, Cultural Studies and 3 more.
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