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
Cambridge · QS World #6
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
8/11
Cambridge
scored higher in 8 categories
Quick Verdict
University of Cambridge leads in 8 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary). Manchester Metropolitan University is ahead on employment, courses, scholarship.
Manchester Metropolitan University vs University of Cambridge at a glance
Manchester Metropolitan University and University of Cambridge both teach 44 subject areas, the largest being Biological Sciences (General), History and Politics & International Relations. Manchester Metropolitan University offers 393 courses across 78 subject areas; University of Cambridge offers 336 courses across 79 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at Manchester Metropolitan University and £32,890 at University of Cambridge: Manchester Metropolitan University is about £11,390 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,000 a year at Manchester Metropolitan University and £41,300 at University of Cambridge: Manchester Metropolitan University is about £20,300 a year cheaper.
Of the 14 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Cambridge is higher in 14 and Manchester Metropolitan University in 0. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £26,500 three years after graduating from Manchester Metropolitan University, against £63,500 from University of Cambridge. Of the 14 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Cambridge is higher in 10 and Manchester Metropolitan University in 3, 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
University of Cambridge
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%
Cambridge
96 countries · 32.2% international
- 🇨🇳China28.2%
- 🇺🇸United States10.3%
- 🇸🇬Singapore6.6%
- 🇭🇰Hong Kong5.3%
- 🇮🇳India4.7%
Subjects
44 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 Cambridge
Biological Sciences (General)
1 courseTypical fee £21,500 (UG)
21 coursesTypical fee £41,300 (PG)
History
7 coursesTypical fee £20,000 (UG)
13 coursesTypical fee £32,440 (UG)
Politics & International Relations
11 coursesTypical fee £20,000 (UG)
7 coursesTypical fee £32,890 (PG)
Sociology & Criminology
Business & Management (General)
11 coursesTypical fee £20,000 (UG)
6 coursesTypical fee £41,300 (PG)
Law
10 coursesTypical fee £20,000 (UG)
7 coursesTypical fee £32,890 (UG)
Health Sciences & Paramedic Science
Biomedical Sciences
Business Studies
14 coursesTypical fee £20,000 (UG)
1 courseFee not available
English Studies
12 coursesTypical fee £20,000 (UG)
3 coursesTypical fee £32,890 (UG)
Mathematics
Media & Film Studies
11 coursesTypical fee £20,000 (UG)
3 coursesTypical fee £37,860 (PG)
Psychology (General)
10 coursesTypical fee £21,500 (UG)
4 coursesTypical fee £41,300 (PG)
Biology
Chemistry
Also taught at both: Childhood & Youth Studies, Philosophy, Anatomy & Pathology, Architecture, General Engineering, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Economics, Education Studies, Computer Science, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Human Geography & Environment, Linguistics, Management, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Music, Creative Writing, Software Engineering, Geography (General), History of Art & Design, Information & Library Studies, Ancient Languages, Building & Construction, Animal Science, Clinical & Health Psychology, Health & Social Care, Landscape Architecture & Design, Technology & Logistics, Zoology & Animal Biology.
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
- University of Cambridge
- £32,890
Manchester Metropolitan University is about £11,390 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Manchester Metropolitan University
- £21,000
- University of Cambridge
- £41,300
Manchester Metropolitan University is about £20,300 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 Cambridge
Biological Sciences (General)
£22,000Salary (3 years)£35,00085%Satisfaction91%History
£21,000Salary (3 years)£32,00087%Satisfaction95%Politics & International Relations
£21,000Salary (3 years)£34,00088%SatisfactionNo dataLaw
£19,500Salary (3 years)£49,00092%Satisfaction96%English Studies
£20,000Salary (3 years)£27,50092%Satisfaction96%Mathematics
£23,500Salary (3 years)£44,50094%Satisfaction94%Psychology (General)
£20,500Salary (3 years)£30,00088%Satisfaction92%Philosophy
£17,500Salary (3 years)£31,00091%Satisfaction93%Architecture
£23,000Salary (3 years)£38,00094%Satisfaction88%Economics
£24,500Salary (3 years)£59,50079%Satisfaction86%Education Studies
£22,500Salary (3 years)No data91%Satisfaction92%Computer Science
£26,500Salary (3 years)£63,50084%Satisfaction94%
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 of Cambridge
View all scholarships →FAQ
Manchester Metropolitan University vs University of Cambridge: common questions
Is Manchester Metropolitan University or University of Cambridge cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at Manchester Metropolitan University and £32,890 at University of Cambridge: Manchester Metropolitan University is about £11,390 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,000 a year at Manchester Metropolitan University and £41,300 at University of Cambridge: Manchester Metropolitan University is about £20,300 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 Cambridge?
Both universities teach 44 subject areas: Biological Sciences (General), History, Politics & International Relations, Sociology & Criminology, Business & Management (General), Law, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Biomedical Sciences, Business Studies, English Studies, Mathematics, Media & Film Studies and 32 more.
Is Manchester Metropolitan University or University of Cambridge better for Biological Sciences (General)?
Biological Sciences (General) graduates earn a median £22,000 three years after graduating from Manchester Metropolitan University, and £35,000 from University of Cambridge. Student satisfaction with teaching is 85% at Manchester Metropolitan University and 91% at University of Cambridge. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Manchester Metropolitan University or University of Cambridge offer more courses?
Manchester Metropolitan University lists 393 courses on CourseOptions and University of Cambridge lists 336 courses.
What can you study at Manchester Metropolitan University but not at University of Cambridge?
Manchester Metropolitan University teaches 34 subject areas that University of Cambridge does not, including Design & Fashion, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Teacher Training, Film Production & Cinematography, Games Design & Computer Animation, French, Marketing, Spanish & Portuguese and 26 more.
What can you study at University of Cambridge but not at Manchester Metropolitan University?
University of Cambridge teaches 35 subject areas that Manchester Metropolitan University does not, including Asian Languages & Studies, Archaeology, Clinical Specialities, Physics, Genetics & Genomics, Theology & Religious Studies, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Chemical Engineering and 27 more.
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