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.
Birmingham · THE World #801
Manchester · QS World #40
Head-to-Head Summary
Based on 9 datapoints
We looked at 9 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.
1/9
Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
scored higher in 1 category
8/9
Manchester
scored higher in 8 categories
Quick Verdict
University of Manchester leads in 8 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Royal Birmingham Conservatoire is ahead on employment.
Royal Birmingham Conservatoire vs University of Manchester at a glance
Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and University of Manchester both teach 2 subject areas, the largest being Music and Drama & Theatre. Royal Birmingham Conservatoire offers 54 courses across 2 subject areas; University of Manchester offers 1,041 courses across 116 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,460 a year at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and £32,300 at University of Manchester: Royal Birmingham Conservatoire is about £3,840 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £12,880 a year at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and £26,800 at University of Manchester: Royal Birmingham Conservatoire is about £13,920 a year cheaper.
Of the 2 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Manchester is higher in 2 and Royal Birmingham Conservatoire in 0. The widest gap is in Music: £19,500 three years after graduating from Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, against £22,500 from University of Manchester. Of the 2 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire is higher in 2 and University of Manchester in 0.
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.
Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
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.
Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
69 countries · 15.9% international
- 🇮🇳India40.6%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan17.5%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria9.2%
- 🇨🇳China8.6%
- 🇧🇩Bangladesh2.8%
Manchester
120 countries · 40% international
- 🇨🇳China51%
- 🇮🇳India7.6%
- 🇲🇾Malaysia4.9%
- 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.1%
- 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.5%
Subjects
2 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.
Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
University of Manchester
Music
51 coursesTypical fee £28,460 (UG)
8 coursesTypical fee £29,900 (UG)
Drama & Theatre
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
- Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
- £28,460
- University of Manchester
- £32,300
Royal Birmingham Conservatoire is about £3,840 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
- £12,880
- University of Manchester
- £26,800
Royal Birmingham Conservatoire is about £13,920 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.
Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
University of Manchester
Music
£19,500Salary (3 years)£22,50095%Satisfaction91%Drama & Theatre
£18,500Salary (3 years)£21,00093%Satisfaction91%
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveRoyal Birmingham Conservatoire
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
FAQ
Royal Birmingham Conservatoire vs University of Manchester: common questions
Is Royal Birmingham Conservatoire or University of Manchester cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,460 a year at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and £32,300 at University of Manchester: Royal Birmingham Conservatoire is about £3,840 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £12,880 a year at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and £26,800 at University of Manchester: Royal Birmingham Conservatoire is about £13,920 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 Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and University of Manchester?
Both universities teach 2 subject areas: Music and Drama & Theatre.
Is Royal Birmingham Conservatoire or University of Manchester better for Music?
Music graduates earn a median £19,500 three years after graduating from Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, and £22,500 from University of Manchester. Student satisfaction with teaching is 95% at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and 91% at University of Manchester. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Royal Birmingham Conservatoire or University of Manchester offer more courses?
University of Manchester lists 1,041 courses on CourseOptions and Royal Birmingham Conservatoire lists 54 courses.
What can you study at University of Manchester but not at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire?
University of Manchester teaches 114 subject areas that Royal Birmingham Conservatoire does not, including Politics & International Relations, Physics, Chemical Engineering, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Dentistry, Economics, Management and 106 more.
Ready to explore courses?
Browse available courses, check entry requirements, and find scholarships at each university.