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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 Cumbria

Lancaster · Guardian UK #101

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 9 datapoints

We looked at 9 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

8/9

Manchester Metropolitan

scored higher in 8 categories

VS

1/9

Cumbria

scored higher in 1 category

Quick Verdict

Manchester Metropolitan University leads in 8 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, TEF, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Cumbria is ahead on employment.

Manchester Metropolitan University vs University of Cumbria at a glance

Manchester Metropolitan University and University of Cumbria both teach 31 subject areas, the largest being Design & Fashion, Sport & Exercise Sciences and Business Studies. Manchester Metropolitan University offers 393 courses across 78 subject areas; University of Cumbria offers 136 courses across 40 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at Manchester Metropolitan University and £16,000 at University of Cumbria: University of Cumbria is about £5,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,000 a year at Manchester Metropolitan University and £16,900 at University of Cumbria: University of Cumbria is about £4,100 a year cheaper.

Of the 21 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Manchester Metropolitan University is higher in 17 and University of Cumbria in 3, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Sport & Exercise Sciences: £31,500 three years after graduating from Manchester Metropolitan University, against £21,000 from University of Cumbria. Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Manchester Metropolitan University is higher in 14 and University of Cumbria in 5, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#600
QS World
—
#601
THE World
—
#62
Guardian UK
#101
1970
Established
2007
No
Russell Group
No
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 Cumbria

87.7%
80.5%

Satisfaction

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

£28,500
£27,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.1%
89.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

9.3%
2.6%

International

International student share

393
136

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

3
1

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

Cumbria

14 countries · 2.6% international

  • 🇨🇦Canada14.9%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan14.9%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria10.6%
  • 🇩🇪Germany8.5%
  • 🇮🇪Ireland8.5%

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 of Cumbria

Also taught at both: Mechanical Engineering, Human Geography & Environment, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Computer Science, Adult Nursing, Fine Art, Social Work, Environmental Sciences, Management, Mental Health Nursing, Zoology & Animal Biology, Biomedical Engineering, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Health & Social Care, Applied Psychology, Physical Geography & Climate.

Only at Manchester Metropolitan University

Only at University of Cumbria

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 Cumbria
£16,000

University of Cumbria is about £5,500 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Manchester Metropolitan University
£21,000
University of Cumbria
£16,900

University of Cumbria is about £4,100 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 Cumbria

  • Design & Fashion

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£17,000
    87%Satisfaction74%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    85%Satisfaction84%

  • Business Studies

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    85%Satisfaction89%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    88%Satisfaction85%

  • Film Production & Cinematography

    £18,500Salary (3 years)£17,000
    85%Satisfaction77%

  • Psychology (General)

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    88%Satisfaction87%

  • Law

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£18,500
    92%Satisfaction95%

  • Teacher Training

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    93%Satisfaction82%

  • Health Sciences & Paramedic Science

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    92%Satisfaction98%

  • Hospitality, Events & Tourism

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    88%Satisfaction82%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£19,500
    90%Satisfaction70%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    85%Satisfaction100%

Showing the 12 largest of 21 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 Cumbria

Future Talent Award

£8,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Manchester Metropolitan University vs University of Cumbria: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at Manchester Metropolitan University and £16,000 at University of Cumbria: University of Cumbria is about £5,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,000 a year at Manchester Metropolitan University and £16,900 at University of Cumbria: University of Cumbria is about £4,100 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 Cumbria?

Both universities teach 31 subject areas: Design & Fashion, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Business Studies, Childhood & Youth Studies, Business & Management (General), Film Production & Cinematography, Psychology (General), Law, Teacher Training, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Sociology & Criminology and 19 more.

Is Manchester Metropolitan University or University of Cumbria better for Design & Fashion?

Design & Fashion graduates earn a median £19,500 three years after graduating from Manchester Metropolitan University, and £17,000 from University of Cumbria. Student satisfaction with teaching is 87% at Manchester Metropolitan University and 74% at University of Cumbria. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

Manchester Metropolitan University lists 393 courses on CourseOptions and University of Cumbria lists 136 courses.

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

Manchester Metropolitan University teaches 47 subject areas that University of Cumbria does not, including English Studies, Media & Film Studies, Politics & International Relations, Chemistry, Biology, Anatomy & Pathology, History, French and 39 more.

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

University of Cumbria teaches 9 subject areas that Manchester Metropolitan University does not, including Forestry & Arboriculture, Ecology & Conservation, Nursing (General), Medical Imaging, Midwifery, Children's Nursing, Learning Disabilities Nursing, Plant Sciences and 1 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 Cumbria136 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses