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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.

N
Northumbria University, Newcastle

Newcastle upon Tyne · QS World #528

U
University of Manchester

Manchester · QS World #40

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.

2/11

Northumbria

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

9/11

Manchester

scored higher in 9 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Manchester leads in 9 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses). Northumbria University, Newcastle is ahead on employment, scholarship.

Northumbria University, Newcastle vs University of Manchester at a glance

Northumbria University, Newcastle and University of Manchester both teach 62 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Business Studies and Physics. Northumbria University, Newcastle offers 305 courses across 71 subject areas; University of Manchester offers 1,041 courses across 116 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,850 a year at Northumbria University, Newcastle and £32,300 at University of Manchester: Northumbria University, Newcastle is about £12,450 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,850 a year at Northumbria University, Newcastle and £26,800 at University of Manchester: Northumbria University, Newcastle is about £6,950 a year cheaper.

Of the 33 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Manchester is higher in 28 and Northumbria University, Newcastle in 5. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £25,500 three years after graduating from Northumbria University, Newcastle, against £44,000 from University of Manchester. Of the 31 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Northumbria University, Newcastle is higher in 18 and University of Manchester in 11, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#528
QS World
#40
#401
THE World
#56
#53
Guardian UK
#29
1969
Established
1824
No
Russell Group
Yes
Silver
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.

Northumbria University, Newcastle

University of Manchester

83.5%
85.1%

Satisfaction

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

£31,000
£36,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

86.1%
80%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

24.5%
40%

International

International student share

305
1041

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

7
6

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.

Northumbria

85 countries · 24.5% international

  • 🇮🇳India35.3%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria16.3%
  • 🌐Kuwait4%
  • 🇨🇳China3.8%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka3.8%
VS

Manchester

120 countries · 40% international

  • 🇨🇳China51%
  • 🇮🇳India7.6%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia4.9%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.1%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.5%

Subjects

62 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.

Northumbria University, Newcastle

University of Manchester

Also taught at both: Business & Management (General), English Literature, Public Health & Epidemiology, Nursing (General), Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Media & Film Studies, Linguistics, Social Work, Mechanical Engineering, Psychology (General), Architecture, Education Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Healthcare Science, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Accounting, Clinical & Health Psychology, Music, Childhood & Youth Studies, Human Geography & Environment, Marketing, Physical Geography & Climate, Teacher Training, Applied Psychology, Midwifery, Drama & Theatre, Mental Health Nursing, Applied Biology & Human Biology, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Creative Writing, English Studies, Forensic Science, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Nutrition & Dietetics, Adult Nursing, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Counselling & Psychotherapy, English Language, Personal & Professional Development, Children's Nursing, Computing & IT, Health & Social Care, Human Resource Management, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, General Engineering.

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

Northumbria University, Newcastle
£19,850
University of Manchester
£32,300

Northumbria University, Newcastle is about £12,450 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Northumbria University, Newcastle
£19,850
University of Manchester
£26,800

Northumbria University, Newcastle is about £6,950 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.

Northumbria University, Newcastle

University of Manchester

  • Politics & International Relations

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    92%Satisfaction88%
  • Business Studies

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    83%Satisfaction92%
  • Physics

    £22,000Salary (3 years)£34,000
    93%Satisfaction89%
  • Law

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    73%Satisfaction89%
  • Mathematics

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    85%Satisfaction83%
  • Sociology & Criminology

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    78%Satisfaction84%
  • Biochemistry

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    78%Satisfaction87%
  • Economics

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    70%Satisfaction85%
  • Design & Fashion

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    91%Satisfaction88%
  • Chemistry

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    97%Satisfaction87%
  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    86%Satisfaction86%
  • Civil Engineering

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    83%Satisfaction77%

Showing the 12 largest of 35 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Northumbria University, Newcastle

2025/26 PGT Sanctuary Scholarships

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

2025/26 UG Sanctuary Scholarships

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

Castle Peak Postgraduate Scholarships

See details

Deadline: N/A

GEMS Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Horiba Foundation UK Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

University of Manchester

Spärck AI Scholarship

£20,780

Deadline: N/A

The Sadler Bursary

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

The Bason Family Bursary

£6,000

Deadline: N/A

The Cowrie Foundation Scholarships

£6,000

Deadline: N/A

Accommodation Bursary

£2,050

Deadline: Jul 2026

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Northumbria University, Newcastle vs University of Manchester: common questions

Is Northumbria University, Newcastle or University of Manchester cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,850 a year at Northumbria University, Newcastle and £32,300 at University of Manchester: Northumbria University, Newcastle is about £12,450 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,850 a year at Northumbria University, Newcastle and £26,800 at University of Manchester: Northumbria University, Newcastle is about £6,950 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 Northumbria University, Newcastle and University of Manchester?

Both universities teach 62 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Business Studies, Physics, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Law, Mathematics, Sociology & Criminology, Biochemistry, Economics, Design & Fashion, Chemistry, Electronic & Electrical Engineering and 50 more.

Is Northumbria University, Newcastle or University of Manchester better for Politics & International Relations?

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £22,500 three years after graduating from Northumbria University, Newcastle, and £26,500 from University of Manchester. Student satisfaction with teaching is 92% at Northumbria University, Newcastle and 88% at University of Manchester. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Northumbria University, Newcastle or University of Manchester offer more courses?

University of Manchester lists 1,041 courses on CourseOptions and Northumbria University, Newcastle lists 305 courses.

What can you study at Northumbria University, Newcastle but not at University of Manchester?

Northumbria University, Newcastle teaches 9 subject areas that University of Manchester does not, including Sport & Exercise Sciences, Building & Construction, Fine Art, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Learning Disabilities Nursing, Heritage & Conservation, Publishing and 1 more.

What can you study at University of Manchester but not at Northumbria University, Newcastle?

University of Manchester teaches 54 subject areas that Northumbria University, Newcastle does not, including Chemical Engineering, Dentistry, Management, Materials Science, Statistics, Medicine, Anatomy & Pathology, Clinical Specialities and 46 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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