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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.

M
Manchester Metropolitan University

Manchester · QS World #600

U
University of Birmingham

Birmingham · QS World #68

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.

3/11

Manchester Metropolitan

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

8/11

Birmingham

scored higher in 8 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Birmingham leads in 8 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, international, graduate salary, courses). Manchester Metropolitan University is ahead on TEF, satisfaction, employment.

Manchester Metropolitan University vs University of Birmingham at a glance

Manchester Metropolitan University and University of Birmingham both teach 61 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Law and Sport & Exercise Sciences. Manchester Metropolitan University offers 393 courses across 78 subject areas; University of Birmingham offers 663 courses across 101 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at Manchester Metropolitan University and £27,090 at University of Birmingham: Manchester Metropolitan University is about £5,590 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,000 a year at Manchester Metropolitan University and £23,390 at University of Birmingham: Manchester Metropolitan University is about £2,390 a year cheaper.

Of the 41 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Birmingham is higher in 40 and Manchester Metropolitan University in 1. The widest gap is in Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning: £25,500 three years after graduating from Manchester Metropolitan University, against £40,000 from University of Birmingham. Of the 40 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Manchester Metropolitan University is higher in 26 and University of Birmingham in 13, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#600
QS World
#68
#601
THE World
#98
#62
Guardian UK
#18
1970
Established
1900
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.

Manchester Metropolitan University

University of Birmingham

87.7%
86.7%

Satisfaction

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

£28,500
£38,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.1%
83.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

9.3%
31.2%

International

International student share

393
663

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

3
3

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%
VS

Birmingham

104 countries · 31.2% international

  • 🇨🇳China55.7%
  • 🇮🇳India9.4%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.2%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.8%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia2%

Subjects

61 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 of Birmingham

Also taught at both: Psychology (General), English Studies, Mathematics, Music, Biomedical Sciences, French, Finance & Actuarial Science, Ancient Languages, Biology, Computer Science, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Economics, Linguistics, Environmental Sciences, Geography (General), History of Art & Design, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Accounting, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Film Production & Cinematography, Social Work, Spanish & Portuguese, Anatomy & Pathology, Childhood & Youth Studies, Drama & Theatre, General Engineering, Management, Mechanical Engineering, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Creative Writing, English Language, Public Health & Epidemiology, Adult Nursing, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Clinical & Health Psychology, Human Geography & Environment, Social Sciences (General), Software Engineering, Applied Psychology, Biological Sciences (General), Human Resource Management, Mental Health Nursing, Physical Geography & Climate, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Developmental & Educational Psychology.

Only at Manchester Metropolitan University

Only at University of 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 of Birmingham
£27,090

Manchester Metropolitan University is about £5,590 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Manchester Metropolitan University
£21,000
University of Birmingham
£23,390

Manchester Metropolitan University is about £2,390 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 of Birmingham

  • Politics & International Relations

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    88%Satisfaction86%

  • Law

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    92%Satisfaction83%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    85%Satisfaction88%

  • History

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    87%Satisfaction89%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£35,000
    88%Satisfaction79%

  • Philosophy

    £17,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    91%Satisfaction93%

  • Business Studies

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£35,000
    85%Satisfaction77%

  • Health Sciences & Paramedic Science

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£31,500
    92%SatisfactionNo data

  • Chemistry

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    86%Satisfaction93%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    90%Satisfaction83%

  • Education Studies

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    91%Satisfaction83%

  • Marketing

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£35,000
    87%Satisfaction79%

Showing the 12 largest of 42 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Manchester 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

View all scholarships →

University of Birmingham

Enhanced Chamberlain Award

£3,500

Deadline: N/A

University Music Scholarships

£3,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

University Music Scholarships

£1,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Manchester Metropolitan University vs University of Birmingham: common questions

Is Manchester Metropolitan University or University of Birmingham cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at Manchester Metropolitan University and £27,090 at University of Birmingham: Manchester Metropolitan University is about £5,590 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,000 a year at Manchester Metropolitan University and £23,390 at University of Birmingham: Manchester Metropolitan University is about £2,390 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 of Birmingham?

Both universities teach 61 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Law, Sport & Exercise Sciences, History, Teacher Training, Business & Management (General), Philosophy, Business Studies, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Chemistry, Sociology & Criminology, Education Studies and 49 more.

Is Manchester Metropolitan University or University of Birmingham better for Politics & International Relations?

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £21,000 three years after graduating from Manchester Metropolitan University, and £28,000 from University of Birmingham. Student satisfaction with teaching is 88% at Manchester Metropolitan University and 86% at University of Birmingham. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Manchester Metropolitan University or University of Birmingham offer more courses?

University of Birmingham lists 663 courses on CourseOptions and Manchester Metropolitan University lists 393 courses.

What can you study at Manchester Metropolitan University but not at University of Birmingham?

Manchester Metropolitan University teaches 17 subject areas that University of Birmingham does not, including Design & Fashion, Games Design & Computer Animation, Architecture, Business Information Systems, Fine Art, Food Science, Information & Library Studies, Journalism and 9 more.

What can you study at University of Birmingham but not at Manchester Metropolitan University?

University of Birmingham teaches 40 subject areas that Manchester Metropolitan University does not, including Civil Engineering, Geology & Earth Sciences, International Development, Physics, Theology & Religious Studies, Chemical Engineering, Classical Studies, Medicine and 32 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

M
Manchester Metropolitan University393 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Birmingham663 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses