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.
Newcastle upon Tyne · QS World #528
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
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.
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
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.
Northumbria
85 countries · 24.5% international
- 🇮🇳India35.3%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria16.3%
- 🌐Kuwait4%
- 🇨🇳China3.8%
- 🌐Sri Lanka3.8%
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
Politics & International Relations
3 coursesTypical fee £19,850 (UG)
39 coursesTypical fee £27,800 (UG)
Business Studies
27 coursesTypical fee £21,500 (UG)
9 coursesTypical fee £33,100 (UG)
Physics
3 coursesTypical fee £21,500 (UG)
33 coursesTypical fee £38,400 (UG)
Microbiology & Cell Biology
1 courseTypical fee £19,850 (PG)
31 coursesTypical fee £36,200 (UG)
Law
13 coursesTypical fee £19,850 (UG)
17 coursesTypical fee £28,400 (UG)
Mathematics
6 coursesTypical fee £19,850 (UG)
24 coursesTypical fee £36,300 (UG)
Sociology & Criminology
9 coursesTypical fee £19,850 (UG)
21 coursesTypical fee £27,800 (UG)
Biochemistry
2 coursesTypical fee £19,850 (UG)
27 coursesTypical fee £36,200 (UG)
Economics
4 coursesTypical fee £19,850 (UG)
25 coursesTypical fee £32,050 (UG)
Design & Fashion
20 coursesTypical fee £19,850 (UG)
8 coursesTypical fee £39,900 (UG)
Chemistry
3 coursesTypical fee £21,500 (UG)
24 coursesTypical fee £37,800 (UG)
Electronic & Electrical Engineering
10 coursesTypical fee £21,500 (UG)
17 coursesTypical fee £35,700 (UG)
Civil Engineering
5 coursesTypical fee £21,500 (UG)
21 coursesTypical fee £35,700 (UG)
Computer Science
21 coursesTypical fee £19,850 (UG)
5 coursesTypical fee £37,800 (UG)
History
8 coursesTypical fee £19,850 (UG)
18 coursesTypical fee £27,800 (UG)
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.
Only at Northumbria University, Newcastle
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)£26,50092%Satisfaction88%Business Studies
£26,000Salary (3 years)£30,50083%Satisfaction92%Physics
£22,000Salary (3 years)£34,00093%Satisfaction89%Law
£22,500Salary (3 years)£24,00073%Satisfaction89%Mathematics
£27,000Salary (3 years)£31,00085%Satisfaction83%Sociology & Criminology
£21,000Salary (3 years)£23,50078%Satisfaction84%Biochemistry
£23,500Salary (3 years)£26,00078%Satisfaction87%Economics
£21,000Salary (3 years)£32,50070%Satisfaction85%Design & Fashion
£22,500Salary (3 years)£21,00091%Satisfaction88%Chemistry
£22,500Salary (3 years)£27,50097%Satisfaction87%Electronic & Electrical Engineering
£29,500Salary (3 years)£33,50086%Satisfaction86%Civil Engineering
£29,000Salary (3 years)£30,50083%Satisfaction77%
Showing the 12 largest of 35 shared subjects with published outcomes.
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveNorthumbria 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
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
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.
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