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Manchester · QS World #600
Plymouth · QS World #691
Head-to-Head Summary
Based on 10 datapoints
We looked at 10 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.
3/10
Manchester Metropolitan
scored higher in 3 categories
7/10
Plymouth
scored higher in 7 categories
Quick Verdict
University of Plymouth leads in 7 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, established, employment, international, graduate salary, scholarship). Manchester Metropolitan University is ahead on ranking, satisfaction, courses.
Manchester Metropolitan University vs University of Plymouth at a glance
Manchester Metropolitan University and University of Plymouth both teach 57 subject areas, the largest being Design & Fashion, Business & Management (General) and Psychology (General). Manchester Metropolitan University offers 393 courses across 78 subject areas; University of Plymouth offers 310 courses across 78 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at Manchester Metropolitan University and £19,200 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £2,300 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,000 a year at Manchester Metropolitan University and £19,500 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £1,500 a year cheaper.
Of the 41 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Plymouth is higher in 26 and Manchester Metropolitan University in 9, with 6 about level. The widest gap is in Electronic & Electrical Engineering: £24,000 three years after graduating from Manchester Metropolitan University, against £32,000 from University of Plymouth. Of the 36 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Plymouth is higher in 17 and Manchester Metropolitan University in 16, with 3 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 Plymouth
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%
Plymouth
71 countries · 11.9% international
- 🇳🇬Nigeria14.6%
- 🇨🇳China12.2%
- 🇮🇳India11%
- 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.7%
- 🌐Sri Lanka3.3%
Subjects
57 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 Plymouth
Design & Fashion
42 coursesTypical fee £21,500 (UG)
10 coursesTypical fee £18,150 (UG)
Business & Management (General)
11 coursesTypical fee £20,000 (UG)
12 coursesTypical fee £19,500 (PG)
Psychology (General)
10 coursesTypical fee £21,500 (UG)
11 coursesFee not available
Business Studies
14 coursesTypical fee £20,000 (UG)
6 coursesTypical fee £19,500 (PG)
Law
10 coursesTypical fee £20,000 (UG)
9 coursesTypical fee £18,150 (UG)
English Studies
12 coursesTypical fee £20,000 (UG)
5 coursesTypical fee £18,150 (UG)
Politics & International Relations
11 coursesTypical fee £20,000 (UG)
6 coursesTypical fee £18,700 (PG)
Sociology & Criminology
Hospitality, Events & Tourism
Biomedical Sciences
Chemistry
Electronic & Electrical Engineering
Film Production & Cinematography
Health Sciences & Paramedic Science
Media & Film Studies
11 coursesTypical fee £20,000 (UG)
1 courseTypical fee £18,150 (UG)
Also taught at both: Computer Science, Education Studies, Games Design & Computer Animation, History, Adult Nursing, Mathematics, Nutrition & Dietetics, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Biology, Marketing, Mechanical Engineering, Anatomy & Pathology, Management, Physical Geography & Climate, Architecture, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Finance & Actuarial Science, Human Geography & Environment, Software Engineering, Accounting, Creative Writing, Economics, Environmental Sciences, Social Work, Building & Construction, Human Resource Management, Mental Health Nursing, Music, Childhood & Youth Studies, Clinical & Health Psychology, Drama & Theatre, Fine Art, Geography (General), Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biological Sciences (General), Biomedical Engineering, General Engineering, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Social Sciences (General), Technology & Logistics, Zoology & Animal Biology, Applied Psychology.
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 Plymouth
- £19,200
University of Plymouth is about £2,300 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Manchester Metropolitan University
- £21,000
- University of Plymouth
- £19,500
University of Plymouth is about £1,500 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 Plymouth
Design & Fashion
£19,500Salary (3 years)£21,00087%Satisfaction77%Business & Management (General)
£22,500Salary (3 years)£24,00088%Satisfaction83%Psychology (General)
£20,500Salary (3 years)£21,50088%Satisfaction84%Business Studies
£23,000Salary (3 years)£24,00085%Satisfaction74%Law
£19,500Salary (3 years)£21,50092%Satisfaction84%English Studies
£20,000Salary (3 years)£19,50092%Satisfaction94%Politics & International Relations
£21,000Salary (3 years)£24,00088%Satisfaction86%Sociology & Criminology
£21,000Salary (3 years)£22,50090%Satisfaction83%Hospitality, Events & Tourism
£21,000Salary (3 years)£21,00088%Satisfaction83%Biomedical Sciences
£28,500Salary (3 years)£26,00085%Satisfaction84%Chemistry
£23,500Salary (3 years)£24,50086%Satisfaction97%Electronic & Electrical Engineering
£24,000Salary (3 years)£32,00083%Satisfaction91%
Showing the 12 largest of 42 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 Plymouth
GREAT Scholarships
£10,000
Deadline: N/A
Sanctuary Scholarships
100%
Deadline: N/A
International Undergraduate Welcome to Plymouth Scholarship
£6,000
Deadline: N/A
Tamar Engineering Project
£4,500
Deadline: Jun 2026
International Postgraduate Welcome to Plymouth Scholarship
£4,000
Deadline: N/A
FAQ
Manchester Metropolitan University vs University of Plymouth: common questions
Is Manchester Metropolitan University or University of Plymouth cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at Manchester Metropolitan University and £19,200 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £2,300 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,000 a year at Manchester Metropolitan University and £19,500 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £1,500 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 Plymouth?
Both universities teach 57 subject areas: Design & Fashion, Business & Management (General), Psychology (General), Business Studies, Law, English Studies, Politics & International Relations, Sociology & Criminology, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Biomedical Sciences, Chemistry, Electronic & Electrical Engineering and 45 more.
Is Manchester Metropolitan University or University of Plymouth better for Design & Fashion?
Design & Fashion graduates earn a median £19,500 three years after graduating from Manchester Metropolitan University, and £21,000 from University of Plymouth. Student satisfaction with teaching is 87% at Manchester Metropolitan University and 77% at University of Plymouth. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Manchester Metropolitan University or University of Plymouth offer more courses?
Manchester Metropolitan University lists 393 courses on CourseOptions and University of Plymouth lists 310 courses.
What can you study at Manchester Metropolitan University but not at University of Plymouth?
Manchester Metropolitan University teaches 21 subject areas that University of Plymouth does not, including Sport & Exercise Sciences, Teacher Training, French, Linguistics, Philosophy, Spanish & Portuguese, Business Information Systems, Food Science and 13 more.
What can you study at University of Plymouth but not at Manchester Metropolitan University?
University of Plymouth teaches 21 subject areas that Manchester Metropolitan University does not, including Geology & Earth Sciences, Civil Engineering, Ecology & Conservation, Dentistry, Marine Engineering & Technology, Children's Nursing, Midwifery, Statistics and 13 more.
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