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
Birmingham
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.
4/8
Manchester Metropolitan
scored higher in 4 categories
4/8
University College Birmingham
scored higher in 4 categories
Quick Verdict
Manchester Metropolitan University and University College Birmingham are evenly matched: each leads in 4 of 8 categories where both have data. Manchester Metropolitan University is ahead on TEF, employment, graduate salary, courses; University College Birmingham on established, satisfaction, international, scholarship.
Manchester Metropolitan University vs University College Birmingham at a glance
Manchester Metropolitan University and University College Birmingham both teach 31 subject areas, the largest being Design & Fashion, Sport & Exercise Sciences and Hospitality, Events & Tourism. Manchester Metropolitan University offers 393 courses across 78 subject areas; University College Birmingham offers 115 courses across 36 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at Manchester Metropolitan University and £13,500 at University College Birmingham: University College Birmingham is about £8,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,000 a year at Manchester Metropolitan University and £17,000 at University College Birmingham: University College Birmingham is about £4,000 a year cheaper.
Of the 9 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Manchester Metropolitan University is higher in 9 and University College Birmingham in 0. The widest gap is in Sport & Exercise Sciences: £31,500 three years after graduating from Manchester Metropolitan University, against £20,500 from University College Birmingham. Of the 14 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University College Birmingham is higher in 10 and Manchester Metropolitan University in 4.
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
University College Birmingham
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%
University College Birmingham
26 countries · 47% international
- 🌐Nepal48.9%
- 🇮🇳India24.7%
- 🇨🇳China11.5%
- 🇧🇩Bangladesh3.8%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan3.3%
Subjects
31 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
University College Birmingham
Design & Fashion
42 coursesTypical fee £21,500 (UG)
2 coursesFee not available
Sport & Exercise Sciences
17 coursesTypical fee £21,500 (UG)
8 coursesTypical fee £13,500 (UG)
Hospitality, Events & Tourism
9 coursesTypical fee £20,000 (UG)
15 coursesTypical fee £13,500 (UG)
Business Studies
14 coursesTypical fee £20,000 (UG)
5 coursesTypical fee £13,500 (UG)
Business & Management (General)
11 coursesTypical fee £20,000 (UG)
4 coursesTypical fee £13,500 (UG)
Psychology (General)
10 coursesTypical fee £21,500 (UG)
3 coursesTypical fee £17,000 (PG)
Sociology & Criminology
Politics & International Relations
11 coursesTypical fee £20,000 (UG)
1 courseTypical fee £17,000 (PG)
Education Studies
Finance & Actuarial Science
Food Science
Marketing
Building & Construction
Architecture
Childhood & Youth Studies
Also taught at both: Computer Science, Health & Social Care, Mechanical Engineering, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Software Engineering, Adult Nursing, Business Information Systems, Crafts & Applied Arts, Nutrition & Dietetics, Applied Psychology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Clinical & Health Psychology, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Mental Health Nursing, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Public Health & Epidemiology.
Only at Manchester Metropolitan University
Only at University College Birmingham
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
- University College Birmingham
- £13,500
University College Birmingham is about £8,000 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Manchester Metropolitan University
- £21,000
- University College Birmingham
- £17,000
University College Birmingham is about £4,000 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
University College Birmingham
Design & Fashion
£19,500Salary (3 years)£18,50087%SatisfactionNo dataSport & Exercise Sciences
£31,500Salary (3 years)£20,50085%Satisfaction96%Hospitality, Events & Tourism
£21,000Salary (3 years)£20,00088%Satisfaction93%Business Studies
£23,000Salary (3 years)£21,00085%Satisfaction86%Business & Management (General)
£22,500Salary (3 years)£20,00088%Satisfaction93%Education Studies
£22,500Salary (3 years)£17,00091%Satisfaction98%Finance & Actuarial Science
£23,500Salary (3 years)£20,00090%Satisfaction89%Marketing
£23,000Salary (3 years)£20,00087%Satisfaction85%Architecture
£23,000Salary (3 years)No data94%Satisfaction91%Computer Science
£26,500Salary (3 years)No data84%Satisfaction87%Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation
£29,000Salary (3 years)No data91%Satisfaction88%Software Engineering
£30,500Salary (3 years)No data83%Satisfaction89%
Showing the 12 largest of 15 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
University College Birmingham
GREAT Scholarship
£10,000
Deadline: N/A
Vice-Chancellor's Award
100%
Deadline: N/A
Dean's Award
50%
Deadline: N/A
Early Action Scholarship
£4,500
Deadline: Jul 2026
Alumni Scholarship
25%
Deadline: N/A
FAQ
Manchester Metropolitan University vs University College Birmingham: common questions
Is Manchester Metropolitan University or University College Birmingham cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at Manchester Metropolitan University and £13,500 at University College Birmingham: University College Birmingham is about £8,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,000 a year at Manchester Metropolitan University and £17,000 at University College Birmingham: University College Birmingham is about £4,000 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 University College Birmingham?
Both universities teach 31 subject areas: Design & Fashion, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Business Studies, Business & Management (General), Psychology (General), Sociology & Criminology, Politics & International Relations, Education Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Food Science, Marketing and 19 more.
Is Manchester Metropolitan University or University College Birmingham better for Design & Fashion?
Design & Fashion graduates earn a median £19,500 three years after graduating from Manchester Metropolitan University, and £18,500 from University College Birmingham. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Manchester Metropolitan University or University College Birmingham offer more courses?
Manchester Metropolitan University lists 393 courses on CourseOptions and University College Birmingham lists 115 courses.
What can you study at Manchester Metropolitan University but not at University College Birmingham?
Manchester Metropolitan University teaches 47 subject areas that University College Birmingham does not, including English Studies, Teacher Training, Media & Film Studies, Law, Chemistry, Biology, Film Production & Cinematography, Games Design & Computer Animation and 39 more.
What can you study at University College Birmingham but not at Manchester Metropolitan University?
University College Birmingham teaches 5 subject areas that Manchester Metropolitan University does not, including Food Production & Technology, Planning & Housing, Civil Engineering, Complementary & Alternative Medicine and Creative Arts (General).
Ready to explore courses?
Browse available courses, check entry requirements, and find scholarships at each university.