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
Belfast · QS World #595
Head-to-Head Summary
Based on 8 datapoints
We looked at 8 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.
3/8
Manchester Metropolitan
scored higher in 3 categories
5/8
Ulster
scored higher in 5 categories
Quick Verdict
Ulster University leads in 5 of 8 categories where both have data (ranking, established, employment, international). Manchester Metropolitan University is ahead on satisfaction, courses, scholarship.
Manchester Metropolitan University vs Ulster University at a glance
Manchester Metropolitan University and Ulster University both teach 46 subject areas, the largest being Design & Fashion, Sport & Exercise Sciences and Business Studies. Manchester Metropolitan University offers 393 courses across 78 subject areas; Ulster University offers 170 courses across 66 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at Manchester Metropolitan University and £17,490 at Ulster University: Ulster University is about £4,010 a year cheaper.
Of the 37 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Manchester Metropolitan University is higher in 23 and Ulster University in 13, with 1 about level.
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
Ulster University
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%
Ulster
45 countries · 32.5% international
- 🇵🇰Pakistan27.8%
- 🇮🇪Ireland21.4%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria16.1%
- 🇮🇳India12.6%
- 🇧🇩Bangladesh8.6%
Subjects
46 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
Ulster University
Design & Fashion
42 coursesTypical fee £21,500 (UG)
6 coursesTypical fee £17,490 (UG)
Sport & Exercise Sciences
17 coursesTypical fee £21,500 (UG)
6 coursesTypical fee £17,490 (UG)
Business Studies
14 coursesTypical fee £20,000 (UG)
7 coursesTypical fee £17,490 (UG)
Law
10 coursesTypical fee £20,000 (UG)
9 coursesTypical fee £17,490 (UG)
English Studies
12 coursesTypical fee £20,000 (UG)
3 coursesTypical fee £17,490 (UG)
Sociology & Criminology
Media & Film Studies
11 coursesTypical fee £20,000 (UG)
3 coursesTypical fee £17,490 (UG)
Politics & International Relations
11 coursesTypical fee £20,000 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £17,490 (UG)
Hospitality, Events & Tourism
Accounting
Film Production & Cinematography
Psychology (General)
10 coursesTypical fee £21,500 (UG)
1 courseTypical fee £17,490 (UG)
Computer Science
Health Sciences & Paramedic Science
History
Also taught at both: Marketing, Anatomy & Pathology, Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Games Design & Computer Animation, Social Work, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Linguistics, Mechanical Engineering, Music, Architecture, Journalism, Nutrition & Dietetics, Software Engineering, Drama & Theatre, Economics, Finance & Actuarial Science, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Biomedical Engineering, Building & Construction, Environmental Sciences, Fine Art, General Engineering, Health & Social Care, Human Resource Management, Management, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Physical Geography & Climate, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Public Health & Epidemiology.
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
- Ulster University
- £17,490
Ulster University is about £4,010 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Manchester Metropolitan University
- £21,000
- Ulster University
- No data
We do not have reliable international fee data for Ulster University yet.
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
Ulster University
Design & Fashion
£19,500Salary (3 years)No data87%Satisfaction88%Sport & Exercise Sciences
£31,500Salary (3 years)No data85%Satisfaction82%Business Studies
£23,000Salary (3 years)No data85%Satisfaction83%Law
£19,500Salary (3 years)No data92%Satisfaction87%English Studies
£20,000Salary (3 years)No data92%Satisfaction88%Sociology & Criminology
£21,000Salary (3 years)No data90%Satisfaction84%Media & Film Studies
£19,500Salary (3 years)No data91%Satisfaction82%Politics & International Relations
£21,000Salary (3 years)No data88%Satisfaction84%Hospitality, Events & Tourism
£21,000Salary (3 years)No data88%Satisfaction96%Accounting
£23,000Salary (3 years)No data90%Satisfaction95%Film Production & Cinematography
£18,500Salary (3 years)No data85%Satisfaction80%Computer Science
£26,500Salary (3 years)No data84%Satisfaction79%
Showing the 12 largest of 37 shared subjects with published outcomes.
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
Ulster University
View all scholarships →FAQ
Manchester Metropolitan University vs Ulster University: common questions
Is Manchester Metropolitan University or Ulster University cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at Manchester Metropolitan University and £17,490 at Ulster University: Ulster University is about £4,010 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 Ulster University?
Both universities teach 46 subject areas: Design & Fashion, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Business Studies, Law, English Studies, Sociology & Criminology, Media & Film Studies, Politics & International Relations, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Accounting, Film Production & Cinematography, Psychology (General) and 34 more.
Does Manchester Metropolitan University or Ulster University offer more courses?
Manchester Metropolitan University lists 393 courses on CourseOptions and Ulster University lists 170 courses.
What can you study at Manchester Metropolitan University but not at Ulster University?
Manchester Metropolitan University teaches 32 subject areas that Ulster University does not, including Teacher Training, Business & Management (General), Chemistry, Education Studies, French, Philosophy, Mathematics, Spanish & Portuguese and 24 more.
What can you study at Ulster University but not at Manchester Metropolitan University?
Ulster University teaches 20 subject areas that Manchester Metropolitan University does not, including Civil Engineering, Irish Studies, Social Policy & Public Policy, Information Systems & Data Science, Medical Imaging, Pharmacy, Planning & Housing, Chemical Engineering and 12 more.
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Browse available courses, check entry requirements, and find scholarships at each university.