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
Southampton · QS World #111
Head-to-Head Summary
Based on 12 datapoints
We looked at 12 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.
3/12
Manchester Metropolitan
scored higher in 3 categories
9/12
Southampton
scored higher in 9 categories
Quick Verdict
University of Southampton leads in 9 of 12 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Manchester Metropolitan University is ahead on TEF, satisfaction, employment.
Manchester Metropolitan University vs University of Southampton at a glance
Manchester Metropolitan University and University of Southampton both teach 58 subject areas, the largest being Design & Fashion, Electronic & Electrical Engineering and General Engineering. Manchester Metropolitan University offers 393 courses across 78 subject areas; University of Southampton offers 545 courses across 91 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at Manchester Metropolitan University and £26,000 at University of Southampton: Manchester Metropolitan University is about £4,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,000 a year at Manchester Metropolitan University and £31,200 at University of Southampton: Manchester Metropolitan University is about £10,200 a year cheaper.
Of the 37 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Southampton is higher in 36 and Manchester Metropolitan University in 1. The widest gap is in Games Design & Computer Animation: £21,000 three years after graduating from Manchester Metropolitan University, against £47,000 from University of Southampton. Of the 35 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Manchester Metropolitan University is higher in 17 and University of Southampton in 17, 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 Southampton
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%
Southampton
103 countries · 35.1% international
- 🇨🇳China63.5%
- 🇮🇳India4.8%
- 🇲🇾Malaysia2.8%
- 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia2.6%
- 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.5%
Subjects
58 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 Southampton
Design & Fashion
42 coursesTypical fee £21,500 (UG)
11 coursesTypical fee £24,800 (UG)
Electronic & Electrical Engineering
4 coursesTypical fee £21,500 (UG)
34 coursesTypical fee £31,000 (UG)
General Engineering
1 courseTypical fee £22,000 (PG)
34 coursesTypical fee £24,800 (UG)
Business & Management (General)
11 coursesTypical fee £20,000 (UG)
22 coursesTypical fee £25,500 (UG)
Media & Film Studies
11 coursesTypical fee £20,000 (UG)
14 coursesTypical fee £26,000 (UG)
Finance & Actuarial Science
4 coursesTypical fee £20,000 (UG)
20 coursesTypical fee £25,500 (UG)
Mechanical Engineering
4 coursesTypical fee £21,500 (UG)
19 coursesTypical fee £31,000 (UG)
Business Studies
14 coursesTypical fee £20,000 (UG)
8 coursesTypical fee £23,800 (UG)
Sociology & Criminology
9 coursesTypical fee £20,000 (UG)
11 coursesTypical fee £25,500 (UG)
History
7 coursesTypical fee £20,000 (UG)
12 coursesTypical fee £25,500 (UG)
Law
10 coursesTypical fee £20,000 (UG)
9 coursesTypical fee £25,500 (UG)
Chemistry
Politics & International Relations
11 coursesTypical fee £20,000 (UG)
7 coursesTypical fee £26,000 (UG)
Sport & Exercise Sciences
17 coursesTypical fee £21,500 (UG)
1 courseTypical fee £23,000 (PG)
Computer Science
4 coursesTypical fee £21,500 (UG)
12 coursesTypical fee £31,000 (UG)
Also taught at both: Psychology (General), Teacher Training, Education Studies, English Studies, Marketing, Environmental Sciences, Mathematics, Philosophy, Ancient Languages, Economics, Accounting, Biology, Music, Software Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Games Design & Computer Animation, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Management, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Adult Nursing, Architecture, Biomedical Engineering, Clinical & Health Psychology, Fine Art, Health & Social Care, Human Geography & Environment, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Building & Construction, Business Information Systems, Creative Writing, Human Resource Management, Information & Library Studies, Physical Geography & Climate, Counselling & Psychotherapy, English Language, Mental Health Nursing, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Social Sciences (General), Zoology & Animal Biology, Applied Psychology, Biological Sciences (General), Technology & Logistics.
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 Southampton
- £26,000
Manchester Metropolitan University is about £4,500 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Manchester Metropolitan University
- £21,000
- University of Southampton
- £31,200
Manchester Metropolitan University is about £10,200 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 Southampton
Design & Fashion
£19,500Salary (3 years)£21,50087%Satisfaction89%Electronic & Electrical Engineering
£24,000Salary (3 years)£40,50083%Satisfaction89%Business & Management (General)
£22,500Salary (3 years)£31,50088%Satisfaction80%Media & Film Studies
£19,500Salary (3 years)£23,50091%Satisfaction87%Finance & Actuarial Science
£23,500Salary (3 years)£39,50090%Satisfaction84%Mechanical Engineering
£24,500Salary (3 years)£34,50087%Satisfaction87%Business Studies
£23,000Salary (3 years)£31,50085%Satisfaction66%Sociology & Criminology
£21,000Salary (3 years)£25,00090%Satisfaction86%History
£21,000Salary (3 years)£26,50087%Satisfaction91%Law
£19,500Salary (3 years)£28,50092%Satisfaction87%Chemistry
£23,500Salary (3 years)£29,00086%Satisfaction91%Politics & International Relations
£21,000Salary (3 years)£29,00088%Satisfaction85%
Showing the 12 largest of 37 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 Southampton
Horizon Europe fee waiver
100%
Deadline: N/A
Cowrie Foundation Scholarship
£8,000
Deadline: N/A
Xiamen University PhD Scholarships
See details
Deadline: N/A
Sociology Criminology International Scholarship
See details
Deadline: N/A
Southampton Ageing & Gerontology Talent Scholarship
See details
Deadline: N/A
FAQ
Manchester Metropolitan University vs University of Southampton: common questions
Is Manchester Metropolitan University or University of Southampton cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at Manchester Metropolitan University and £26,000 at University of Southampton: Manchester Metropolitan University is about £4,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,000 a year at Manchester Metropolitan University and £31,200 at University of Southampton: Manchester Metropolitan University is about £10,200 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 Southampton?
Both universities teach 58 subject areas: Design & Fashion, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, General Engineering, Business & Management (General), Media & Film Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Mechanical Engineering, Business Studies, Sociology & Criminology, History, Law, Chemistry and 46 more.
Is Manchester Metropolitan University or University of Southampton better for Design & Fashion?
Design & Fashion graduates earn a median £19,500 three years after graduating from Manchester Metropolitan University, and £21,500 from University of Southampton. Student satisfaction with teaching is 87% at Manchester Metropolitan University and 89% at University of Southampton. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Manchester Metropolitan University or University of Southampton offer more courses?
University of Southampton lists 545 courses on CourseOptions and Manchester Metropolitan University lists 393 courses.
What can you study at Manchester Metropolitan University but not at University of Southampton?
Manchester Metropolitan University teaches 20 subject areas that University of Southampton does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Film Production & Cinematography, Anatomy & Pathology, French, Linguistics, Spanish & Portuguese, Social Work, Drama & Theatre and 12 more.
What can you study at University of Southampton but not at Manchester Metropolitan University?
University of Southampton teaches 33 subject areas that Manchester Metropolitan University does not, including Aerospace Engineering, Geology & Earth Sciences, Physics, Civil Engineering, Archaeology, Chemical Engineering, English Literature, Marine Engineering & Technology and 25 more.
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