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
Paisley · Guardian UK #115
Head-to-Head Summary
Based on 8 datapoints
We looked at 8 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.
4/8
Manchester Metropolitan
scored higher in 4 categories
4/8
West of Scotland
scored higher in 4 categories
Quick Verdict
Manchester Metropolitan University and University of the West of Scotland are evenly matched: each leads in 4 of 8 categories where both have data. Manchester Metropolitan University is ahead on ranking, employment, courses, scholarship; University of the West of Scotland on established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary.
Manchester Metropolitan University vs University of the West of Scotland at a glance
Manchester Metropolitan University and University of the West of Scotland both teach 38 subject areas, the largest being Design & Fashion, Business Studies and Teacher Training. Manchester Metropolitan University offers 393 courses across 78 subject areas; University of the West of Scotland offers 119 courses across 49 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at Manchester Metropolitan University and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £6,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,000 a year at Manchester Metropolitan University and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £4,720 a year cheaper.
Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of the West of Scotland is higher in 10 and Manchester Metropolitan University in 9, 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 the West of Scotland. Of the 18 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of the West of Scotland is higher in 12 and Manchester Metropolitan University in 5, 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 the West of Scotland
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%
West of Scotland
33 countries · 30.3% international
- 🇵🇰Pakistan36.2%
- 🌐Nepal20.4%
- 🇮🇳India19.3%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria7.4%
- 🇧🇩Bangladesh5.3%
Subjects
38 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 the West of Scotland
Design & Fashion
42 coursesTypical fee £21,500 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £15,500 (UG)
Business Studies
14 coursesTypical fee £20,000 (UG)
9 coursesTypical fee £15,500 (UG)
Teacher Training
12 coursesTypical fee £20,000 (UG)
9 coursesTypical fee £15,250 (UG)
Sport & Exercise Sciences
17 coursesTypical fee £21,500 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £18,000 (UG)
Chemistry
Business & Management (General)
11 coursesTypical fee £20,000 (UG)
2 coursesFee not available
Media & Film Studies
11 coursesTypical fee £20,000 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £18,140 (PG)
Politics & International Relations
11 coursesTypical fee £20,000 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £13,630 (PG)
Law
10 coursesTypical fee £20,000 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £14,500 (UG)
Hospitality, Events & Tourism
Psychology (General)
10 coursesTypical fee £21,500 (UG)
1 courseTypical fee £11,750 (PG)
Sociology & Criminology
Business Information Systems
Health Sciences & Paramedic Science
Biology
Also taught at both: Education Studies, Accounting, Biomedical Sciences, Marketing, Social Work, General Engineering, Mathematics, Music, Applied Psychology, Childhood & Youth Studies, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Journalism, Mechanical Engineering, Social Sciences (General), Adult Nursing, Human Geography & Environment, Environmental Sciences, Health & Social Care, Mental Health Nursing, Public Health & Epidemiology, Zoology & Animal Biology, English Language, 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 the West of Scotland
- £15,500
University of the West of Scotland is about £6,000 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Manchester Metropolitan University
- £21,000
- University of the West of Scotland
- £16,280
University of the West of Scotland is about £4,720 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 the West of Scotland
Design & Fashion
£19,500Salary (3 years)£17,50087%Satisfaction91%Business Studies
£23,000Salary (3 years)£21,00085%Satisfaction75%Teacher Training
£26,500Salary (3 years)£32,00093%Satisfaction94%Sport & Exercise Sciences
£31,500Salary (3 years)£21,00085%Satisfaction91%Chemistry
£23,500Salary (3 years)£23,00086%Satisfaction95%Law
£19,500Salary (3 years)£21,00092%SatisfactionNo dataHospitality, Events & Tourism
£21,000Salary (3 years)£19,00088%Satisfaction93%Sociology & Criminology
£21,000Salary (3 years)£23,00090%SatisfactionNo dataBusiness Information Systems
£25,500Salary (3 years)£22,000No dataSatisfaction85%Health Sciences & Paramedic Science
£27,000Salary (3 years)£24,50092%Satisfaction99%Biology
£20,000Salary (3 years)£20,50087%Satisfaction99%Education Studies
£22,500Salary (3 years)No data91%Satisfaction96%
Showing the 12 largest of 21 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 the West of Scotland
View all scholarships →FAQ
Manchester Metropolitan University vs University of the West of Scotland: common questions
Is Manchester Metropolitan University or University of the West of Scotland cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at Manchester Metropolitan University and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £6,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,000 a year at Manchester Metropolitan University and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £4,720 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 the West of Scotland?
Both universities teach 38 subject areas: Design & Fashion, Business Studies, Teacher Training, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Chemistry, Business & Management (General), Media & Film Studies, Politics & International Relations, Law, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Psychology (General), Sociology & Criminology and 26 more.
Is Manchester Metropolitan University or University of the West of Scotland better for Design & Fashion?
Design & Fashion graduates earn a median £19,500 three years after graduating from Manchester Metropolitan University, and £17,500 from University of the West of Scotland. Student satisfaction with teaching is 87% at Manchester Metropolitan University and 91% at University of the West of Scotland. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Manchester Metropolitan University or University of the West of Scotland offer more courses?
Manchester Metropolitan University lists 393 courses on CourseOptions and University of the West of Scotland lists 119 courses.
What can you study at Manchester Metropolitan University but not at University of the West of Scotland?
Manchester Metropolitan University teaches 40 subject areas that University of the West of Scotland does not, including English Studies, Film Production & Cinematography, Games Design & Computer Animation, Anatomy & Pathology, History, French, Linguistics, Philosophy and 32 more.
What can you study at University of the West of Scotland but not at Manchester Metropolitan University?
University of the West of Scotland teaches 11 subject areas that Manchester Metropolitan University does not, including Applied Computing, Computing & IT, Physics, Aerospace Engineering, Community & Specialist Nursing, Creative Arts (General), Cultural Studies, Forensic Science and 3 more.
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