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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.

O
Open University

None · THE World #801

U
University of Manchester

Manchester · QS World #40

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.

2/10

Open

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

8/10

Manchester

scored higher in 8 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Manchester leads in 8 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, employment, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Open University is ahead on TEF, satisfaction.

Open University vs University of Manchester at a glance

Open University and University of Manchester both teach 61 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Business & Management (General) and Physics. Open University offers 337 courses across 68 subject areas; University of Manchester offers 1,041 courses across 116 subject areas.

Of the 39 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Manchester is higher in 20 and Open University in 17, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £33,500 three years after graduating from Open University, against £44,000 from University of Manchester. Of the 29 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Open University is higher in 22 and University of Manchester in 6, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
#40
#801
THE World
#56
—
Guardian UK
#29
1969
Established
1824
No
Russell Group
Yes
Gold
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Open University

University of Manchester

89.8%
85.1%

Satisfaction

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

£29,900
£36,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

72.6%
80%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

0.2%
40%

International

International student share

337
1041

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
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.

Open

25 countries · 0.2% international

  • 🇩🇪Germany8.9%
  • 🌐Cyprus (European Union)6.7%
  • 🇫🇷France6.7%
  • 🇨🇳China4.4%
  • 🇮🇳India4.4%
VS

Manchester

120 countries · 40% international

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

Subjects

61 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.

Open University

University of Manchester

Also taught at both: Nursing (General), Biology, Environmental Sciences, Humanities, Psychology (General), Biomedical Sciences, French, Geology & Earth Sciences, Linguistics, Childhood & Youth Studies, English Literature, Information Systems & Data Science, Social Work, International Development, Design & Fashion, Finance & Actuarial Science, General Engineering, Human Geography & Environment, Music, Geography (General), English Language, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Philosophy, Accounting, Computing & IT, History of Art & Design, Teacher Training, Ancient Languages, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Classical Studies, German & Scandinavian Studies, Health & Social Care, Information & Library Studies, Physical Geography & Climate, Applied Psychology, Creative Writing, Human Resource Management, Software Engineering, Mental Health Nursing, Counselling & Psychotherapy, English Studies, Theology & Religious Studies, Adult Nursing, Children's Nursing, Personal & Professional Development, Social Policy & Public Policy.

Only at Open University

Only at University of Manchester

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

Open University
No data
University of Manchester
£32,300

We do not have reliable international fee data for Open University yet.

Postgraduate

Open University
No data
University of Manchester
£26,800

We do not have reliable international fee data for Open University yet.

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.

Open University

University of Manchester

  • Politics & International Relations

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    92%Satisfaction88%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    95%Satisfaction88%

  • Physics

    £38,500Salary (3 years)£34,000
    98%Satisfaction89%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £17,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    89%Satisfaction84%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    96%Satisfaction89%

  • History

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    93%Satisfaction91%

  • Mathematics

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    93%Satisfaction83%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£44,000
    91%Satisfaction82%

  • Economics

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    89%Satisfaction85%

  • Management

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    No dataSatisfaction84%

  • Chemistry

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    93%Satisfaction87%

  • Public Health & Epidemiology

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
    90%Satisfaction90%

Showing the 12 largest of 39 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Open University

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

Open University vs University of Manchester: common questions

What subjects can you study at both Open University and University of Manchester?

Both universities teach 61 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Business & Management (General), Physics, Sociology & Criminology, Law, History, Mathematics, Computer Science, Economics, Management, Chemistry, Public Health & Epidemiology and 49 more.

Is Open University or University of Manchester better for Politics & International Relations?

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £29,000 three years after graduating from Open University, and £26,500 from University of Manchester. Student satisfaction with teaching is 92% at Open University and 88% at University of Manchester. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Open University or University of Manchester offer more courses?

University of Manchester lists 1,041 courses on CourseOptions and Open University lists 337 courses.

What can you study at Open University but not at University of Manchester?

Open University teaches 7 subject areas that University of Manchester does not, including Combined & General Studies, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Social Sciences (General), Natural Sciences, Office Administration, Applied & General Science and Learning Disabilities Nursing.

What can you study at University of Manchester but not at Open University?

University of Manchester teaches 55 subject areas that Open University does not, including Chemical Engineering, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Dentistry, Civil Engineering, Materials Science, Medicine, Anatomy & Pathology and 47 more.

Ready to explore courses?

Browse available courses, check entry requirements, and find scholarships at each university.

O
Open University337 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Manchester1,041 courses · 6 scholarshipsBrowse Courses