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.
London · QS World #458
Bolton
Head-to-Head Summary
Based on 7 datapoints
We looked at 7 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.
5/7
SOAS University of London
scored higher in 5 categories
2/7
Greater Manchester
scored higher in 2 categories
Quick Verdict
SOAS University of London leads in 5 of 7 categories where both have data (established, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Greater Manchester is ahead on satisfaction, employment.
SOAS University of London vs University of Greater Manchester at a glance
SOAS University of London and University of Greater Manchester both teach 12 subject areas, the largest being Media & Film Studies, Politics & International Relations and Law. SOAS University of London offers 296 courses across 29 subject areas; University of Greater Manchester offers 281 courses across 56 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,780 a year at SOAS University of London and £17,500 at University of Greater Manchester: University of Greater Manchester is about £6,280 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,320 a year at SOAS University of London and £17,500 at University of Greater Manchester: University of Greater Manchester is about £7,820 a year cheaper.
Of the 3 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, SOAS University of London is higher in 3 and University of Greater Manchester in 0. The widest gap is in Law: £28,000 three years after graduating from SOAS University of London, against £18,500 from University of Greater Manchester. Of the 4 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Greater Manchester is higher in 3 and SOAS University of London in 1.
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.
SOAS University of London
University of Greater 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.
SOAS University of London
67 countries · 25.7% international
- 🇨🇳China10.9%
- 🇮🇳India10.6%
- 🇺🇸United States9.4%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan7.6%
- 🇫🇷France3.6%
Greater Manchester
30 countries · 25.4% international
- 🇳🇬Nigeria46.6%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan17.7%
- 🇮🇳India10.8%
- 🇦🇪United Arab Emirates7%
- 🇧🇩Bangladesh6.6%
Subjects
12 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.
SOAS University of London
University of Greater Manchester
Media & Film Studies
41 coursesTypical fee £23,780 (UG)
3 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
Politics & International Relations
34 coursesTypical fee £23,780 (UG)
1 courseFee not available
Law
13 coursesTypical fee £23,780 (UG)
9 coursesTypical fee £43,750 (UG)
Business & Management (General)
8 coursesTypical fee £23,780 (UG)
13 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
Creative Arts (General)
18 coursesTypical fee £23,780 (UG)
1 courseFee not available
Music
Management
Sociology & Criminology
Accounting
Civil Engineering
Electronic & Electrical Engineering
Finance & Actuarial Science
Only at SOAS University of London
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
- SOAS University of London
- £23,780
- University of Greater Manchester
- £17,500
University of Greater Manchester is about £6,280 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- SOAS University of London
- £25,320
- University of Greater Manchester
- £17,500
University of Greater Manchester is about £7,820 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.
SOAS University of London
University of Greater Manchester
Law
£28,000Salary (3 years)£18,50077%Satisfaction79%Business & Management (General)
£27,500Salary (3 years)£20,00082%Satisfaction98%Music
No dataSalary (3 years)£17,50087%Satisfaction91%Accounting
£27,500Salary (3 years)£20,00088%Satisfaction80%
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveSOAS University of London
SOAS International Academic Excellence Scholarship
£20,000
Deadline: May 2026
SOAS Sustainable Development Goal Scholarship
£15,000
Deadline: Jun 2026
Commonwealth Shared Scholarships
100%
Deadline: N/A
Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Programme
100%
Deadline: N/A
SOAS Academic Excellence Scholarship
£10,000
Deadline: May 2026
University of Greater Manchester
Bolton Sports Bursary 2020/21
See details
Deadline: N/A
Care Experienced Bursary 21-22
See details
Deadline: N/A
Care Leavers Bursary 2020/2021
See details
Deadline: N/A
The Bolton Master's Bursary 2021
See details
Deadline: N/A
The University of Greater Manchester Group Progression Scholarship 2021-22
See details
Deadline: N/A
FAQ
SOAS University of London vs University of Greater Manchester: common questions
Is SOAS University of London or University of Greater Manchester cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,780 a year at SOAS University of London and £17,500 at University of Greater Manchester: University of Greater Manchester is about £6,280 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,320 a year at SOAS University of London and £17,500 at University of Greater Manchester: University of Greater Manchester is about £7,820 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 SOAS University of London and University of Greater Manchester?
Both universities teach 12 subject areas: Media & Film Studies, Politics & International Relations, Law, Business & Management (General), Creative Arts (General), Music, Management, Sociology & Criminology, Accounting, Civil Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering and Finance & Actuarial Science.
Is SOAS University of London or University of Greater Manchester better for Law?
Law graduates earn a median £28,000 three years after graduating from SOAS University of London, and £18,500 from University of Greater Manchester. Student satisfaction with teaching is 77% at SOAS University of London and 79% at University of Greater Manchester. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does SOAS University of London or University of Greater Manchester offer more courses?
SOAS University of London lists 296 courses on CourseOptions and University of Greater Manchester lists 281 courses.
What can you study at SOAS University of London but not at University of Greater Manchester?
SOAS University of London teaches 17 subject areas that University of Greater Manchester does not, including Asian Languages & Studies, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Ancient Languages, Anthropology, Economics, History of Art & Design, History, International Development and 9 more.
What can you study at University of Greater Manchester but not at SOAS University of London?
University of Greater Manchester teaches 44 subject areas that SOAS University of London does not, including Education Studies, Psychology (General), Health & Social Care, Nursing (General), Dentistry, Dance, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Computing & IT and 36 more.
Ready to explore courses?
Browse available courses, check entry requirements, and find scholarships at each university.