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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.

R
Robert Gordon University

Aberdeen · QS World #1001

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.

4/11

Robert Gordon

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

7/11

Manchester

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Manchester leads in 7 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, international, graduate salary, courses). Robert Gordon University is ahead on established, satisfaction, employment, scholarship.

Robert Gordon University vs University of Manchester at a glance

Robert Gordon University and University of Manchester both teach 40 subject areas, the largest being Chemical Engineering, Law and Management. Robert Gordon University offers 151 courses across 51 subject areas; University of Manchester offers 1,041 courses across 116 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,300 a year at Robert Gordon University and £32,300 at University of Manchester: Robert Gordon University is about £14,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,060 a year at Robert Gordon University and £26,800 at University of Manchester: Robert Gordon University is about £7,740 a year cheaper.

Of the 17 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Robert Gordon University is higher in 9 and University of Manchester in 8. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £27,500 three years after graduating from Robert Gordon University, against £44,000 from University of Manchester. Of the 15 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Robert Gordon University is higher in 7 and University of Manchester in 5, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#1001
QS World
#40
#801
THE World
#56
#81
Guardian UK
#29
1729
Established
1824
No
Russell Group
Yes
—
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Robert Gordon University

University of Manchester

87.9%
85.1%

Satisfaction

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

£33,900
£36,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

88.5%
80%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

14.4%
40%

International

International student share

151
1041

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

43
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.

Robert Gordon

48 countries · 14.4% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria36.2%
  • 🇮🇳India16.2%
  • 🇬🇭Ghana9.9%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan8.5%
  • 🇮🇪Ireland5.9%
VS

Manchester

120 countries · 40% international

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

Subjects

40 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.

Robert Gordon University

University of Manchester

Also taught at both: Pharmacy, Information & Library Studies, Architecture, Computer Science, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Accounting, Social Work, General Engineering, Applied Psychology, Midwifery, Adult Nursing, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Mental Health Nursing, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Forensic Science, Health & Social Care, Human Resource Management, Marketing, Nutrition & Dietetics, Applied Computing, Children's Nursing, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Cultural Studies.

Only at Robert Gordon 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

Robert Gordon University
£18,300
University of Manchester
£32,300

Robert Gordon University is about £14,000 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Robert Gordon University
£19,060
University of Manchester
£26,800

Robert Gordon University is about £7,740 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.

Robert Gordon University

University of Manchester

  • Chemical Engineering

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£36,000
    84%Satisfaction84%

  • Law

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    86%Satisfaction89%

  • Business Studies

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    86%Satisfaction92%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    88%Satisfaction84%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    77%Satisfaction86%

  • Design & Fashion

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    93%Satisfaction88%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £34,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    85%Satisfaction86%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£31,500
    85%Satisfaction77%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £19,000Salary (3 years)No data
    93%Satisfaction93%

  • Pharmacy

    £37,000Salary (3 years)£36,000
    77%Satisfaction85%

  • Computer Science

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£44,000
    85%Satisfaction82%

  • Manufacturing & Production Engineering

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    84%Satisfaction80%

Showing the 12 largest of 18 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Robert Gordon University

Bolashak Scholarship Programme

100%

Deadline: N/A

CONACyT (Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnologia)

100%

Deadline: N/A

Chevening Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Commonwealth Postgraduate/PhD Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Commonwealth Shared Scholarship

100%

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

Robert Gordon University vs University of Manchester: common questions

Is Robert Gordon University or University of Manchester cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,300 a year at Robert Gordon University and £32,300 at University of Manchester: Robert Gordon University is about £14,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,060 a year at Robert Gordon University and £26,800 at University of Manchester: Robert Gordon University is about £7,740 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 Robert Gordon University and University of Manchester?

Both universities teach 40 subject areas: Chemical Engineering, Law, Management, Chemistry, Business Studies, Sociology & Criminology, Civil Engineering, Nursing (General), Public Health & Epidemiology, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Design & Fashion, Biomedical Sciences and 28 more.

Is Robert Gordon University or University of Manchester better for Chemical Engineering?

Chemical Engineering graduates earn a median £33,500 three years after graduating from Robert Gordon University, and £36,000 from University of Manchester. Student satisfaction with teaching is 84% at Robert Gordon University and 84% at University of Manchester. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Robert Gordon University or University of Manchester offer more courses?

University of Manchester lists 1,041 courses on CourseOptions and Robert Gordon University lists 151 courses.

What can you study at Robert Gordon University but not at University of Manchester?

Robert Gordon University teaches 11 subject areas that University of Manchester does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Building & Construction, Fine Art, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Film Production & Cinematography, Games Design & Computer Animation, Journalism and 3 more.

What can you study at University of Manchester but not at Robert Gordon University?

University of Manchester teaches 76 subject areas that Robert Gordon University does not, including Politics & International Relations, Physics, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Dentistry, Economics, Mathematics, Materials Science and 68 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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Robert Gordon University151 courses · 43 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Manchester1,041 courses · 6 scholarshipsBrowse Courses